Women’s soccer is seeing unprecedented growth in the United States. Clearly, the National Women’s Soccer League is a prime example of this fact. As the league continues to achieve milestones and broaden its influence, another historic moment is on the horizon. For the first time, an NWSL team will have its very own stadium, as the Patrick Mahomes-owned KC Current is set to host their opening game.

The KC Current finally has a home that is as excellent as men’s teams, if not better, in the history of the NWSL—and potentially in professional soccer worldwide. As per AP and complied by West Virginia News, the CPKC stadium, named after the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway, was constructed at a cost of nearly $120 million along the Missouri River. This venue is among the few in the world specifically designed for the exclusive use of female athletes. It is an 11,000-seat stadium, financed almost entirely through private means.

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The venue is set to be inaugurated on March 16, when Vlatko Andonovski’s side will play the opening game against the Portland Thorns. Notably, the team’s previous version, FC Kansas City, encountered difficulties while playing in a variety of high school and college soccer stadiums and even the training field of MLS club Sporting KC. While the league’s 14 teams currently lease stadiums or use grounds owned by Major League Soccer clubs, the Current’s new stadium deviates from the norm, thanks to its owners, Chris and Angie Long, as well as Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany.

Their vision was always to build their own facilities, with the construction of a $18 million practice facility marking their initial steps. While the creation of a new stadium is a remarkable achievement, there are still a few issues to address.

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The drawbacks of the first-ever NWSL stadium of the KC Current

The CPKC Stadium is facing severe criticism from the majority of the fanbase. As per the same source, concerns have been raised regarding potential impacts on property values and traffic congestion, while others have cited a perceived shortage of parking spaces. Although the club recently announced that parking spots would be available for $50 per match, it prompted widespread outcry on social media.

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Yet, to alleviate parking issues, the club hopes that many supporters will use ride-sharing services and public transportation to arrive at the stadium. Perhaps with time, KC Current will have a solution to these problems. For now, the excitement continues to brew among fans for the opening of one of the world’s few stadiums, designed particularly for a women’s team.