Sporting Kansas City begins its 2026 Major League Soccer season this weekend, facing the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT at PayPal Park in northern California. The match will be led by new head coach Raphael Wicky.
Fans can watch the Western Conference matchup on Apple TV, with English commentary from Mark Rogondino and Heath Pearce, and Spanish commentary from Carlos Ramirez. Locally, Sporting KC supporters are invited to a watch party at No Other Pub in Kansas City’s Power & Light District, coinciding with the pub’s 10-year anniversary celebration. The free event begins at 8 p.m., with all-ages access before 9 p.m., and will feature a live DJ, SKC-themed activities, appearances by the team mascot Blue, and giveaways for jerseys and home opener tickets.
Several sales events are currently underway for Sporting KC fans. The Presidents’ Day sale at MLSstore.com, offering up to 60% off with code 30MLS, is set to end tonight at 10:59 p.m. CT. A separate Presidents’ Day sale at SeatGeek, providing 15% off tickets – including Sporting Kansas City matches, up to a $25 savings – will conclude on Tuesday. Fans can use the code PRES2026 at checkout.
Looking ahead, Sporting Kansas City Season Ticket Members and Sporting KC supporters groups will soon be able to request complimentary tickets for away matches. Requests for the team’s April 4 road game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, will open this Friday.
Friday also marks the MLS Roster Compliance date, a critical deadline for all teams to meet the league’s roster rules and budget regulations. Clubs must submit their choice of a roster construction path – either the Three Designated Player Model or the U22 Initiative Player Model.
The Sporting KC Academy will also be in action this Saturday, competing in a tripleheader against Minnesota United FC at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. The U-18 team kicks off at 9 a.m. CT, followed by the U-16 team at 11 a.m. CT, and the U-15 team at 1 p.m. CT. Updates will be available on @SKCAcademy on X.
In player news, Sporting KC II has signed midfielder Trevor Burns and defender Alex Cunningham to professional contracts ahead of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season. Both players, who developed within the Sporting KC system and through college programs, will participate in preseason camp at Swope Soccer Village. The team currently has nine players signed to professional contracts, and will also utilize Sporting KC Academy players and MLS first-team players on loan throughout the season. Burns, the son of Sporting KC Sporting Director Mike Burns, previously played at Georgetown and Duke Universities. Cunningham joins SKC II after a collegiate career.
Sporting Kansas City recently concluded the Coachella Valley Invitational with a 2-0 victory over Austin FC on Saturday, with goalkeeper John Pulskamp earning a clean sheet, including a notable save in the ninth minute.
The club also unveiled its new “18th & Vine” secondary uniform, which will be worn during select matches in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
