It’s no secret that women’s professional sports are creating huge headlines around the world, thanks to history-making projects and brilliant visionaries taking the initiative to amplify our local landscape. From the KC Current’s first-ever stadium in the world built specifically for a women’s professional sports team to the powerful undercurrents transpiring behind the scenes and under the radar, prepare yourself for more records to be made and additional local sports fandom experiences you can engage in!
Kansas City Current | @kccurrent
Arguably one of the most celebratory accomplishments in our city is not only the expansion of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) with the Kansas City Current and their roster of exceptional female athletes, but the development of the gorgeous CPKC Stadium at Berekely Riverfront Park making global headlines for embarking on an empowering, inclusive, and transformational change in women’s sports.
“The KC Current are changing the game and showing the world what can be done and how successful it can be. What’s better? It’s happening right here in our backyard in Kansas City,” says Dani Welniak, KC Current’s Vice President of Communication.
Dani summed up what fans can expect while cheering on our women at the downtown destination, including developing a passion and loyalty for the team as well as and an entertaining and modern stadium creating a memorable experience for fans by activating all five senses.
The community-focused stadium also offers the best that KC has to offer in a single destination, including the local restaurant partners curated by Colby and Megan Garrelts of Rye. “CPKC Stadium was built with celebrating Kansas City’s rich cultural heritage in mind and reflects the diverse history and unique influences in culture, art, food, sports and music.”
Don’t have tickets to catch a match in-person? Tap into the historic new broadcast deals for the league, local broadcast partners, KC Current Radio and the KC Current app.
kansascitycurrent.com
cpkcstadium.com
Kansas City Roller Warriors | @kcrollerwarriors
Kansas City’s ‘Rink of Fire’ has been burning since 2004 and a founding member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) and host to our city’s premier roller derby league.
The Roller Warriors consist of three home teams: The Strawberry Hellions, the Midtown Misfits, and the 18th & Vines and play in the historic Memorial Hall in Strawberry Hill from November through May as well as a combined competitive travel team called the All-Stars that is made up of players from those three home teams and beyond.
With a monthly doubleheader, the players volunteer their time to battle it out in the competitive sport complete with punny player nicknames like Demanda Slappin as a nod to the once-theatrical sport.
Lauren Murphy, aka Hellvetica and KCRW’s Marketing and Communications Officer, is actively getting the word out about the local sports experience. Also on the Advisory Board for WIN for KC, Lauren started as a Junior skater under the mentorship of her mom who competed in the league and is now a force for inclusivity and encouragement on and off the track. She has helped bring to life what the league is today including match drinks and eats by Sponsors Embrace the Grape and Blended Vibes and the post-bout festivities at pinball bar 403 Club. You can support the teams by attending a match, making a tax-deductible donation, attending a fundraising event and following along on social media.
Kansas City Glory | @kansascityglory
Kansas City’s women’s tackle football team is another example of paving the path for even more greatness. KC Glory is led by USA Gold Medalist and Owner Keke Blackmon, who founded the team in 2019 with a calling to serve and empower women and girls on and off the field.
“I am overloaded with excitement that others are starting to see what has been here this entire time. Our future is destined for greatness. Women in sports are still battling for equal awareness, but we are not only here to stay, but to play!”
The Glory has a roster of 50 players including four international players. As Head Coach, Keke’s love for the game is fueled by the opportunity for impact and inclusivity, representing women of all shapes and sizes and a variety of professions by day and who sacrifice countless hours to be a part of something bigger. The season runs April through June, and the team can be seen playing at Shawnee Mission North High School.
Collectively, the team is known for their immense support for organizations that give much back to the community, including Girls Play Flag Football, Our Spot KC, and WIN for KC, of which Keke and GM, Krishnna Lee, have both been awarded the Leadership Award.
You can find the Glory’s schedule and home game tickets on their website and ongoing updates on social media.
Kansas City Pro Volleyball | @kcprovolleyball
Save the date for January 2025 when Kansas City’s new Women’s Professional Volleyball team launches.
In 2023, owners Missy and Kent McCarthy identified the opportunity to add KC to the Pro Volleyball Federation’s roster. Investing extensive time and resources into their new passion project, they became fast friends with Lori Thomas, former college player and Commissioner of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, as well as Kathy Nelson, KC’s Sports Commissioner and President & CEO of WIN for Kansas City. Both rank amongst the impressive list of females laying the local groundwork in women’s sports.
“Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports—the third most watched NCAA sport behind men’s football and basketball; it was a bit astonishing to me that in 2023 women who wanted to play professionally couldn’t play here at home, and that’s what motivated our decision to form the team.”
The majority of female volleyball athletes exit college and have to look outside the USA to play professionally, acquiring additional training and a new cultural experience. But, they sacrifice an incredible amount in doing so. With the addition of the Pro Volleyball Federation, they now have the option to come home and play professionally with competitive salaries and to have their friends and family cheer them on.
In 2025, the women’s Pro Volleyball league will consist of 10 teams playing in-season from January to mid-May. “There is so much excitement in the stands. It is amazing to watch these women play in person, their talent is incredible.”
Kansas City Sports Commissioner | Kathy Nelson
“Participate. Spectate. Celebrate.” Kathy Nelson’s mantra for everyone to play a part in the amplification of women’s sports in KC. Kansas City’s Sports Commissioner and President & CEO of WIN for KC, Kathy is wildly impressive in her accomplishments leading the movement of women’s sports locally alongside so many powerful counterparts.
WIN for KC envisions a community where sport ignites the life of every woman and girl. From the simple act of showing up at your local high school volleyball game to cheering on our competitive figure skaters, tackle football players, roller derby warriors, and more, you are directly making an impact on the continual and life-changing opportunities for KC women in sports.
Kathy has been working behind the scenes for decades playing an integral role in the development of events like the annual Camp WIN girls sports camp, Women’s Sports Awards (the largest in the country), Big 12 and Division I Women’s Basketball, and the 2025 DI Women's College Volleyball.
“It is on a trajectory like no one has ever seen before. The women’s games are as good as men’s; they come down to buzzer-beaters and overtimes and they are so fun to watch.”
On a national level, Kathy says KC is not only recognized for its efforts through WIN for KC, but that others are starting to do deep dives into what is working and how are we impacting our community to follow in our footsteps.
Visit sportkc.org and follow @winforkc for ways to show up and support local KC women’s sports.
