If you've been scrolling through social media or catching the headlines lately, you’ve probably seen the massive wave of coverage surrounding the death of Charlie Kirk. It’s one of those moments that just stops everyone in their tracks, regardless of what side of the political aisle you sit on. On September 10, 2025, the founder of Turning Point USA was tragically assassinated while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. It was a shocking event that felt surreal, even for an era defined by high-intensity politics.
Naturally, the question on everyone’s mind shortly after was about the final goodbye. Specifically, people were scrambling to figure out what time is charlie kirks funeral central time so they could tune in or pay their respects from afar.
Honestly, the logistics for an event of this scale were insane. We aren't talking about a small, private chapel service. We’re talking about a massive, stadium-sized memorial that felt more like a mix between a high-stakes political rally and an evangelical revival.
The Official Schedule: Breaking Down the Clock
When the plans were finally released by Turning Point USA, the central hub for the event was set for State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Because Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Saving Time, the "local time" can be a bit confusing for folks in the Midwest or the South.
For those of you specifically asking what time is charlie kirks funeral central time, the service officially kicked off at 1:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
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If you were trying to catch the pre-show or the musical performances that started when the doors opened, you had to be ready much earlier. The doors to State Farm Stadium opened at 8:00 a.m. local Arizona time, which translates to 10:00 a.m. Central Time. People were already lining up in the heat hours before that, clenching flags and wearing their "Sunday best" as requested by the organizers.
Time Zone Cheat Sheet for the Main Service
- Mountain Standard Time (Local AZ): 11:00 a.m.
- Central Daylight Time (CDT): 1:00 p.m.
- Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): 2:00 p.m.
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): 10:00 a.m.
The service didn't just fly by, either. It was a marathon of tributes, prayers, and political speeches that lasted well into the afternoon. If you were watching from Chicago or Dallas, you likely didn't see the final speakers wrap up until nearly 5:00 p.m. your time.
Why the Funeral Became a National Event
It's rare for a 31-year-old activist to receive a send-off that rivals a state funeral. But then again, Charlie Kirk wasn't exactly a typical activist. He built an empire with TPUSA, and his sudden death at the hands of a sniper—later identified by authorities as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson—turned him into a martyr for many in the MAGA movement.
The atmosphere at the stadium was heavy but weirdly electric. Over 90,000 people filled the seats, with overflow crowds spilling into the nearby Desert Diamond Arena. Security was at "Super Bowl" levels, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Secret Service snipers were visible on the roof, a grim reminder of why everyone was gathered there in the first place.
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I think what caught most people off guard was the tone. It wasn't just mourning. There were fireworks. There were performances by huge names in contemporary Christian music like Chris Tomlin and Brandon Lake. It felt like a celebration of a movement as much as a man.
High-Profile Guests and Emotional Moments
When the clock hit 1:00 p.m. Central Time, the broadcast went live to millions of viewers. The speaker list looked like a GOP convention lineup. We saw Vice President JD Vance, Tucker Carlson, and even Elon Musk in the crowd.
But the moment that really broke the internet was when Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, took the stage. She spoke about his private life—the stuff the cameras didn't see. She talked about him being a father to their two young children and, in a move that stunned a lot of people, she publicly offered forgiveness to the man who pulled the trigger. You could have heard a pin drop in that stadium.
Later, Donald Trump delivered the final eulogy. He had posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom just weeks prior, and his speech leaned heavily into the idea that Kirk’s work with students would be his lasting legacy.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Service
There's been a lot of chatter online about whether this was a "funeral" or a "memorial." Technically, the event at State Farm Stadium was a public memorial service. The actual burial was handled privately by the family to ensure they had a moment of peace away from the cameras and the 100,000-person crowd.
Another thing people keep asking is why the dress code wasn't black. TPUSA specifically told attendees to wear "Sunday best" or patriotic colors—red, white, and blue. They wanted the stadium to look like a sea of American pride rather than a dark, somber gathering. From the aerial shots, it definitely worked. It looked like a Fourth of July celebration from a distance.
Practical Steps for Rewatching or Researching
If you missed the live broadcast and are looking for the footage now, you can find the full four-hour archive on the Turning Point USA YouTube channel and various news mirrors.
- Search for the Full Stream: Look for "Charlie Kirk Memorial Service Full" on YouTube or Rumble.
- Check the Transcript: Several news outlets have published the full text of Erika Kirk’s and Donald Trump’s speeches if you prefer reading over watching.
- Local Context: If you are visiting the Phoenix/Glendale area, be aware that while the stadium is back to its regular schedule of NFL games and concerts, there are still occasional vigils held by local chapters at the TPUSA headquarters.
The impact of this event is still being felt across the political landscape in 2026. Whether you agreed with his politics or not, the scale of the response to his death has fundamentally changed how political organizations think about security and youth mobilization moving forward.
For anyone looking to understand the timeline of the day, remember that the "11:00 a.m. start" you see in most headlines refers to the local Arizona clock—so for the heart of the country, 1:00 p.m. Central Time remains the definitive anchor for when the world started watching.
To stay updated on the legal proceedings regarding the Utah investigation or future TPUSA memorial events, keep an eye on official court documents from Orem, Utah, where the trial for the suspect is currently the primary focus of the aftermath.