Tens of thousands of mourners are anticipated to gather at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday for a memorial honoring Charlie Kirk, with speeches expected from Donald Trump and Kirk’s widow among other notable political figures.
The 31-year-old right-wing commentator was shot and killed during an open-air speaking event at a college campus Utah on September 10.
His death has prompted fierce political debate around upholding free speech and the threat of political violence to American democracy.
Turning Point USA, which Kirk co-founded in 2012, announced the memorial service to the public, urging fans to celebrate his ‘extraordinary life and lasting legacy’.
The nonprofit, which advocates for conservative politics on American campuses, was born in Arizona and is headquartered in Phoenix.
The state is also where Kirk lived with his wife, 36, and their two children before his death.
Kirk’s remains were transported from Utah to Arizona on Air Force Two on Thursday, accompanied by JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and Erika Kirk, Kirk’s widow.
It’s reported that Donald Trump personally requested the 63,000-seat Arizona Cardinals’ venue to accommodate mourners from all over the nation.
President Trump is expected to attend, along with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Both are expected to speak, along with Erika Kirk, Donald Trump Jr, and Tucker Carlson.
Other Trump administration seniors will attend as speakers, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Stephen Miller.
American musicians Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Cody Carnes are slated to perform under a separate ‘Worship’ category.
The service will begin at 11am local time (2pm Eastern Time, 6pm GMT).
Michael Bidwell, owner of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team, informed 12News that President Trump specifically requested the stadium for the event.
Bidwell said he believes the stadium will be set up the way it is for a concert, with a stage on the south side and seating up to the north, 12News’ Troy Hayden reported.
Local law enforcement have said their preparations are on a level usually reserved for major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
Glendale’s police chief said his department is deploying ‘every available resource’, bolstered by reinforcements from neighbouring jurisdictions.
Bomb squads and tactical units will also be on standby for the event.
But it remains to be seen whether the service will be designated as a national special security event, drawing in more resources from the federal government.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement: ‘Joint security planning is underway for the memorial and funeral of Charlie Kirk and appropriate public safety related information will be provided as the process matures in the coming days.’
Jonathan Wackrow, a former US Secret Service agent, told CNN: ‘This location may be seen as an attractive target for a hostile actor because of its visibility.
‘The potential for it to be disrupted through a series of different threats, or even the threat of a threat, is something that law enforcement really has to focus in on and then put the mitigation protocols in place now.’
Charlie Kirk at the Utah Valley University speaking even on September 10, 2025
Security will be needed to mitigate the possibility of incidents like vehicles ramming into crowds, or biological threats, the outlet reported. Movements could involve the positioning of counter-snipers in and around the arena.
With authorities on high alert, a bomb squad was sent to Turning Point USA’s headquarters on Wednesday morning after a ‘suspicious bag’ was left outside, police said.
The street outside the building was cleared out of precaution. It is unclear what, if anything, was found inside the bag. Authorities said there was not a threat.
Attendees arriving on Sunday, September 21 will be able to park from 7am. The parking lots, with capacity for a fraction of the stadium, will open an hour before the doors.
Indoor overflow will be available next door at the Desert Diamond Arena, organisers say.
Guests are asked to don their ‘Sunday best’, wearing red, white and blue for the United States.
‘Join us in celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Charlie Kirk, an American legend,’ Turning Point USA shared on social media.
The stadium says the event will be ‘first come, first serve’, with event guidance sent out to those who register interest on the evening of Saturday, September 20.
Those registering to attend will have to submit a name, email, phone number and ZIP code.
A tribute to Charlie Kirk prior to a game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 14
All guests will be screened with metal detectors upon entry, and patted down as a last resort. Those who do not consent will be denied entry, they say.
Alcohol, weapons, fireworks, drones, bags and clothing deemed obscene or indecent are all among the long list of prohibited items.
The President asked on Wednesday for all American flags to fly at half-mast until Sunday at 6pm to honour Kirk.
A person familiar with the details told NewsNation that there will also be private events taking place in the days leading up to the service.
Members of Congress and other political figures will hold a prayer vigil at 6pm Eastern Time near the White House and the United States Capitol on Sunday.
Charlie Kirk was killed as he spoke to a crowd at an outdoor ‘Prove Me Wrong’ debate at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody on September 12 and appeared in court for the first time by video link on September 17.
Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder and witness tampering. He did not enter a plea to any of the charges on Wednesday.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty ‘based on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime’, they said in a court filing.
Suspect Tyler Robinson appeared by video link for the first court hearing on September 17
Erika Kirk, giving a tearful address after her husband was killed, said: ‘You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.
‘They should all know this: if you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before you have no idea, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world.’
She has vowed to continue Charlie Kirk’s mission, announcing that their campus tour will continue through autumn.
‘There will be even more tours in the years to come,’ she said. ‘The movement is not going anywhere, and it will only grow stronger when you join it.’
