Charlie Kirk’s funeral and memorial service already drawing huge crowds outside Arizona arena: Live updates
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.
