Massive crowds and heavy security as Charlie Kirk memorial begins in Arizona
The memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk took place in Glendale, Arizona, drawing massive crowds far exceeding initial expectations.Held at state Farm Stadium, which seats 73,000, with overflow space at the nearby Desert diamond Arena, the event attracted over 200,000 mourners, many wearing red, white, and blue or apparel featuring Kirk’s image. Due to overwhelming attendance, parking was filled quickly, with many attendees walking miles to the venue.
Security was extremely tight, classified as a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1 by the Department of Homeland Security-on par with the Super Bowl-enforcing strict no-bag policies and multiple screening checkpoints causing delays for attendees and press.
Inside the stadium, the memorial atmosphere was unusual for a funeral, with Christian musicians leading worship songs and the crowd actively participating. High-profile speakers included former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, and various senior administration officials.
President Trump described the event as “a time of healing” and planned to “celebrate the life of a great man” during the service.The memorial was also broadcast live online and on television to accommodate the large audience.
Massive crowds and heavy security as Charlie Kirk memorial begins in Arizona
Glendale, ARIZONA — Crowds of mourners stretched into long lines outside today’s memorial for Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist fatally shot at a Utah university earlier this month.
Traffic was backed up for miles as throngs made their way to the stadium, many clad in red, white, and blue or wearing shirts and hats bearing Kirk’s image. With parking lots overwhelmed, countless attendees abandoned their cars and walked miles to the venue.
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Glendale police estimated that more than 200,000 people could attend the memorial service for Kirk, double the earlier projection of 100,000. The service will be held inside State Farm Stadium, which seats up to 73,000, with additional space reserved at the 19,000-seat Desert Diamond Arena for overflow. The service will also be broadcast live online and on television.
Inside the stadium for Kirk’s memorial the first two-tiers of seats are nearly filled and people are now beginning to take spots on the third level. Christian musicians are leading the crowd in worship songs as attendees continue to stream in: pic.twitter.com/taLyPR65Pa
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) September 21, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security has designated the memorial a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1, the same high-security tier as the Super Bowl. Security is extremely tight, with a strict no-bag policy in place. Members of the press reported it took hours to get inside, passing through multiple screening checkpoints.
Inside State Farm Stadium, the atmosphere is anything but typical for a funeral. Christian musicians lead the crowd in worship songs as attendees continue streaming in, with many rising to their feet and lifting their hands in response to the music. The first two tiers of seats were already nearly filled, and people were beginning to take spots on the third level.
Those scheduled to deliver remarks include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several senior administration officials. Also on the program are Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
Starting at 5AM the crowds roared outside of State Farm stadium as thousands lined up for the Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona.@AmyDeLaura @SamanthaJoRoth are on the ground. pic.twitter.com/LWsI70sWOY
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 21, 2025
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As he departed the White House for Arizona, Trump told reporters he planned to “celebrate the life of a great man” at Kirk’s memorial.
Trump called the service “a time of healing,” adding, “That something like this could have happened is not even believable, so we will have a very interesting day, a very tough day.”
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