Enjoy Thrilling Sports Action in Kansas

Soccer

Sporting Kansas City competes as part of the MLS Western Conference and is currently the only professional league franchise to play home games in Kansas. Now, that may be surprising given the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals, but those teams actually have home stadiums located across the border in Missouri. The Sporting Kansas City can be found taking on opponents in Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas and recently won the U.S. Open Cup. Swope Park Rangers is their reserve team, and the affiliated FC Kansas City (NWSL) can also be found playing and practicing here.

FC Wichita is an amateur club that offers exciting soccer play as part of the South-Central Conference of the NPSL.

Baseball

Independent baseball play thrives in Kansas. If you count down the days until the “Boys of Summer” take the field, you’ll love how many opportunities you’ll have to see them on your travels in Kansas. For example, if your travels take you to Garden City, you can watch the Garden City Wind take their turn at bat. They play as members of the Pecos League which is not affiliated with Major League (or Minor League) Baseball.

The Kansas Stars, started by ex-MLB players, can be found playing in Wichita, while the Kansas City T-Bones play at the CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas as a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (AAIPB). The Wichita Wingnuts play as part of the South Division of the AAIPB and call the Lawrence–Dumont Stadium home field.

If college baseball is on your mind, head to Tointon Family Stadium to watch the Kansas State University Wildcats. The stadium has a capacity of over 2,000, and it is frequently "standing room only" as the players take the field.  Likewise, fans can watch the University of Kansas Jayhawks at bat on their home field at Hoglund Ballpark. When you find yourself in Wichita, head over to Eck Stadium to watch the Shockers, a team that has made numerous appearances in the College World Series.

But that’s not all! You can also see numerous summer collegiate wood bat baseball games throughout the state. Among the most popular teams are The Topeka Golden Giants, The Junction City Brigade, The Baldwin City Blues, The Rossville Rattlers, and The Topeka Senators.

Basketball

Thrilling NCAA action is on offer at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. The Jayhawks men’s basketball team has routinely made “March Madness” appearances to the cheers of everyone at the Allen Fieldhouse. The K-State Wildcats have also found “March Madness” success, and the women’s team has had some incredible finishes. Both teams can be found on their home court at Bramlage Coliseum. Of course, you can’t forget the Wichita State University Shockers. Both the men’s and women’s teams call Charles Koch Arena home court.

Hockey

If you love ice hockey and have plans to be in Wichita, grab tickets to see The Wichita Thunder (ECHL) take the ice at the Intrust Bank Arena.

Football

Football fans can keep an eye on the schedule for a number of popular teams throughout the state. For example, if your schedule has you in Salina, Kansas, you may just be lucky enough to see The Salina Liberty play. This professional indoor football team brings exciting action to the Tony’s Pizza Events Center throughout the season. Meanwhile, if your travels take you to Topeka, the Topeka Mudcats, a women’s professional football team, should not be missed.

On the college level, you’ll love watching the K-State Wildcats storm the field. They play with the Big 12 Conference and, for football lovers, every game is an exciting experience. Also playing in the Big 12 are the Jayhawks. You can join 50,000 other fans at Memorial Stadium (aka David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium) to be part of this fabulous fall tradition.

Track and Field

If you can’t get enough of track events, either at the college or Olympic level, you can watch the Kansas Relays at Rock Chalk Park, the recently completed multi-sport complex that can be found on the campus of the University of Kansas. Exciting track action delights the more than 7,000 fans that show up to support their favorite athletes.

Golf

There are numerous golf courses (more than 200, in fact!) around the state that will allow you to perfect your swing and test your accuracy. Here are three examples to get you started:

One of the favorite courses in the state is the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson. Designed by Perry Maxwell, this course is known the world over. Not only has it been ranked among the top 30 courses by leading publications, but it has been the frequent host of major championship events.

Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas is a frequent award-winner and has been noted specifically for its value. The back tees have been rated as “most difficult,” so you know that you’ll find the challenge you have been looking for here.

Firekeeper Golf Course in Mayetta is a par 72. This challenging course has been noted as being the signature course of Notah Begay III, the only “full-blooded Native American” to win on the PGA Tour.