Sporting Park to host Division II championship games

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Sporting Park will be hosting the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Division II football championship games.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) awarded the following 14 men's and women's championships to the Kansas City area on Wednesday:

• 2014 Division III (M&W) Soccer: Dec. 5-6 at Swope Soccer Village

• 2014 Division II Football: Dec. 20 at Sporting Park

• 2015 Division II (M&W) Soccer: Dec. 4-5 at Swope Soccer Village

• 2015 Division I Men's Soccer: Dec. 11-13 at Sporting Park

• 2015 Division II Football: Dec. 19 at Sporting Park

• 2016 Division II (M&W) Soccer: Dec. 1-3 at Swope Soccer Village

• 2016 Division II Football: Dec. 17 at Sporting Park

• 2017 Division II (M&W) Soccer: Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at Swope Soccer Village

• 2017 Division I Women's Volleyball: Dec. 14-16 at Sprint Center

• 2017 Division II Football: Dec. 16 at Sporting Park

"We are pleased that the NCAA and the governing sports committees recognize Kansas City as a city that will provide a great experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans that travel here in the next several years," said Cindy Smith, Vice President of Business & Partner Development for the Kansas City Sports Commission.  "Since 2000, Kansas City has served as host to 11 NCAA National Championships and we look forward to hosting many more in the future."

In 2013, Sporting Park became the first stadium to host the MLS All-Star Game, U.S. Men's National Team and MLS Cup in the same year. The state-of-the-art venue opened in 2011 and has hosted the U.S. Men's National Team in competitive matches each of the last three years.

Construction on Phase II of Swope Soccer Village's $13.44 million expansion began today to prepare for the development of five new synthetic soccer fields. Located at 63rd and Lewis Rd. in Kansas City's Swope Park, the Swope Soccer Village will be home to nine full-sized soccer fields and facilities upon the project's completion in 2014.

In May, a $13.44 million expansion to the Swope Soccer Village was formally approved by the City Council. Four months after breaking ground, the complex's natural grass championship field - the first of six new fields as part of the expansion - opened in November and hosted the 2013 Big 12 Soccer Championship.

The conference's postseason tournament will again be played at the Swope Soccer Village in 2014.

The five new synthetic fields will be built on the east side of Lewis Rd. and will each be furnished with lighting and fencing. Grand Construction serves as the general contractor and Sporting Club Network member Brookside Soccer Club will act as a primary tenant.

The development will also provide additional infrastructure updates, including new restroom, concession and storage amenities.

MLS Cup champions Sporting Kansas City opened the team's training center at the Swope Soccer Village in 2007 with over 7,800 square feet of facility space and three soccer fields. The Sporting KC Academy, Sporting Club Network members and numerous community outreach programs utilize the existing four fields at the complex.