Thousands of people have descended on the Arizona stadium that will host Charlie Kirk’s public memorial service and funeral, with many camping out in line before sunrise.
Security for Sunday’s service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix, has been designated the level reserved for Super Bowls, with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and five Cabinet members due to speak.
Trump said it would be a “tough day” as he departed the White House for Arizona Sunday morning. “We’re going to celebrate the life of a great man today,” he told reporters.
More than 200,000 people responded online to say they wanted to attend in person but the stadium, home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, has a capacity of 63,000 people, which can be expanded to over 73,000 for larger events.
The nearby Desert Diamond Arena will serve as overflow and can accommodate an additional 19,000 people.
Other speakers include Marco Rubio, Secretary of State; Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense; Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence; Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff; and Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who has taken on leadership of Turning Point USA, is also set to address attendees.
Watch live feed inside the stadium
It’s just after 8 a.m. in Arizona and crowds are beginning to fill the stadium.
Live music has started, which you can watch on our live feed below:
First picture inside the stadium
Here’s a first look inside the stadium before the crowds descend:
Pictured: Drone images show the scale of the crowd waiting to enter the stadium
Who is speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service?
According to Turning Point USA, Sunday’s memorial service for Charlie Kirk will feature remarks by his widow, Erika Kirk, who is now leading the organization, as well as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In addition to the president, other speakers include Marco Rubio, Secretary of State; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health & Human Services; Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense; Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence; Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff; Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff; and Sergio Gor, Director of Personnel.
There will also be remarks from Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr.
Worship will be led by Christian singers Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Cody Carnes.
There will also be performances by Lee Greenwood and Steve Amerson.
Trump en route to Kirk’s memorial – ‘It will be a tough day’
President Donald Trump is on his way to Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
The president briefly spoke with the media before boarding Marine One to depart for Glendale, Arizona.
“We’re going to celebrate the life of a great man today,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House. “It will be a tough day.”
Huge lines outside the stadium with hours to go and traffic at a standstill
Media at the stadium report huge lines outside, with still 4 or 5 hours to go until the service begins.
Other attendees said that traffic approaching the stadium is at a standstill.
State Farm Stadium: The venue hosting Charlie Kirk’s memorial service
The memorial for conservative icon Charlie Kirk will be held today at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The 31-year-old Kirk — a confidant of President Donald Trump — was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking with students at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder and other crimes related to the shooting.
Here are a few things to know about the venue that will host Kirk’s memorial service:
People were in line before sunrise for Charlie Kirk memorial
People hoping to get a seat at Charlie Kirk’s memorial today camped out before sunrise outside the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Pictures show large crowds waiting in line, including children, before dawn.
Kirk’s spiritual mentor details activist’s final moments
Mike Bedigan reports.
What we know about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin
Robinson evaded capture for 33 hours after allegedly opening fire on Kirk from a rooftop around 160 yards away from where he was speaking, jumping off a roof and disappearing in the chaos. The right-wing influencer, 31, died several hours after being struck in the neck by a bullet.
Robinson has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Mike Bedigan examines the known details about the alleged killer.
