GLENDALE, Arizona — The memorial service for Charlie Kirk has reached capacity at State Farm Stadium, authorities said — as they began turning away some of the 200,000 people who turned out to honor the slain MAGA icon Sunday.
The Arizona Cardinals stadium, which has a max capacity of 73,000 people, filled up within hours of doors opening at 8 a.m. local time.
Additional attendees were sent an overflow arena next door.
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. is filled for Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sept. 21, 2025. Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
People queue outside to attend a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS
The stage is seen ahead of the public memorial service of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Getty Images
Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization, said 200,000 people registered for the event and cops on scene said they were estimating at least that many people turned out for the service — which features President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Kirk’s widow Erika.
Dressed in their red, white and blue “Sunday best” — as requested by Turning Point USA in advance of the event — throngs of fans and supporters packed the area outside the stadium while waiting to get in.
Greg Waters, 71, of Bishop, California, said he listened to Kirk’s podcast every day.
Drone view shows people as they arrive, wearing “red, white and blue” clothing, as suggested by Turning Point USA, to attend a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS
A man wearing the same “Freedom” t-shirt Kirk had on at the time of his death seen among other mourners in State Farm Stadium for the funeral. Getty Images
A man wearing an “I am Charlie Kirk” shirt at the service. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“He’s like a son to me. We are connected through the blood of Jesus Christ,” he told The Post.
“The problem the world has is it doesn’t understand the spiritual connection.”
Follow live updates from Charlie Kirk’s funeral Sunday in Arizona
He added: “I think the more people who turned out shows that he had more impact than people believed. They need to have a bigger stadium.”
Drone view shows people as they arrive, wearing “red, white and blue” clothing, as suggested by Turning Point USA, to attend a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS
Children wait, lying on the ground as daylight breaks, to attend a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS
Police ask the crowd to keep the street clear as people wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. AP
Waters said he walked two miles to get to the stadium in time to line up for the memorial service.
Some attendees told The Post they arrived as early as 4 a.m. to beat the crowds, while some gave up on the overflowing parking lot and walked as much as two miles from their vehicles.
Betty Santasiero, of Pinal County, Arizona, 56, came wearing a red “I am Charlie Kirk” shirt.
People pray ahead of the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025. AFP via Getty Images
People sing and pray ahead of the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025. AFP via Getty Images
People gather to attend a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS
“It’s just important to keep an open dialogue especially since I’m from New Jersey…and we have friends on both sides,” she said.
State Farm Stadium, where the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play, holds as many as 73,000 for mega-events. Organizers expected the crowd to be greater than the capacity, so the Desert Diamond Arena next door, which can hold an additional 20,000, was also reserved.