Mayor Quinton Lucas addresses Kansas City’s role in international sports spotlight
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A fourth Super Bowl Championship, KC Current’s new stadium and the 2026 World Cup, Kansas City seems to be in its sports era.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas told KCTV5’s Carolyn Long it all makes for an impressive argument that Kansas City has earned a spot in the international sports spotlight.
While a second straight Chiefs Super Bowl gained the majority of the attention, it wasn’t the only type of “football” that brought interest to Kansas City in 2024.
KC Stadium, the world’s first professional women’s sports stadium, opened in March at Berkely Riverfront Park.
“The KC Stadium Kansas City Current story is really kind of the story of 2024,” said Lucas.
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Just eight months later, the National Women’s Soccer Championship came calling. In November, CBS Mornings Anchors Gayle King, Nate Burleson and Tony Dokoupil broadcast live from the stadium.
Celebration Turned Tragedy: The Chiefs Rally
What was supposed to be a day of celebration for the back-to-back Super Bowl victory turned into a tragedy at the Chiefs rally shooting on February 14.
“We were at the highest of highs that week in some ways in Kansas City history. And we saw some of the lowest of lows,” Lucas said.
The rally shooting brough up the importance of making the city safer. In 2024, homicides were down by 20%, but there is still a long way to go.
“You know, there is probably no week in the history of Kansas City that better encapsulates our greatness and our challenges,” Lucas said.
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Lucas expressed hope the city will be able to celebrate future team wins despite the tragedy.
“I would expect us to celebrate the Chiefs, that they’re able to win again as we would celebrate the Current and the Royals, and anyone else,” Lucas said.
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