If you’re checking the calendar and asking who do kansas city play tonight, you’ve probably realized that the mid-January sports lull is anything but quiet in the Heart of America. Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. While the football world is still buzzing about the Chiefs' recently wrapped regular season, the real action right now is happening on the hardwood and the pitch.
It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of preseason schedules, college conference play, and professional training camps. Honestly, keeping track of every team that carries the "Kansas City" banner can be a full-time job. Tonight, the spotlight isn't on the gridiron, but rather on a crucial home matchup for the Roos and a sunshine-state kickoff for Sporting KC.
The Kansas City Roos Return Home
The big ticket for local fans actually happens at Swinney Center. The Kansas City Roos women's basketball team is back in town to clash with the St. Thomas Tommies. This is a big one. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM CT, so while it's technically an afternoon game, it’s the primary "today" event for anyone looking to support a local squad in person.
Coach and the team have been grinding through a tough Summit League schedule. Facing St. Thomas isn't just another game; it's about defending home court and building momentum for the late-season push. The Roos have shown some serious grit lately, and seeing them live in the intimate atmosphere of Swinney is a totally different vibe than watching a game at the T-Mobile Center.
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If you can't make it down to the campus, you can usually catch the stream via the Summit League Network. It’s affordable, and it’s basically the best way to see the next generation of KC stars before they hit the national radar.
Sporting KC Starts the 2026 Preseason
While the Roos are battling it out in the cold of Missouri, Sporting Kansas City has headed south. Way south. Specifically, they are in Palm Beach, Florida, for their first leg of the 2026 preseason training camp.
Earlier today, Sporting KC kicked off their exhibition slate against Florida International University (FIU).
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- Opponent: FIU
- Time: 9:00 AM CT
- Location: Palm Beach, Fla.
I know, 9:00 AM isn't "tonight," but in the world of soccer preseason, these early morning sessions are where the roster spots are won. This match is the first of three January friendlies in Florida before the team moves to California for the Coachella Valley Invitational. If you’re a die-hard SKC fan, you’re likely scouring @SportingKC_PR on X for highlights of the new acquisitions and trialists.
What About the Chiefs?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the Kansas City Chiefs. If you were hoping to see Patrick Mahomes and the crew under the lights tonight, you’re going to be disappointed. The Chiefs wrapped up their regular season on January 4th with a tough road loss against the Raiders, ending a season that many fans found, well, a bit underwhelming by their sky-high standards.
Since the team didn't make the postseason cut this year, the front office is already looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s a weird feeling for KC—usually, this time of year involves planning watch parties for the AFC Championship. Instead, the talk at the local bars is more about salary cap space and which receivers might be available in the first round.
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The College Scene: Jayhawks on the Road
If you broaden your definition of "Kansas City" to include the surrounding area (and let’s be real, most of us do), the Kansas Jayhawks women’s basketball team is also in action today. They’ve traveled to Tempe to take on Arizona State.
That game tips at 3:00 PM CT. After a huge win against Baylor just yesterday on the men's side, the energy in Lawrence is electric. The women’s team is looking to capitalize on that "Crimson and Blue" momentum as they navigate their own Big 12 road trip.
Final Rundown for January 17, 2026
So, to recap the answer to who do kansas city play tonight and throughout this Saturday:
- Kansas City Roos (Women's Basketball): vs. St. Thomas Tommies at 1:00 PM (Home).
- Sporting KC (Soccer): vs. FIU (Morning Friendly in Florida).
- Kansas Jayhawks (Women's Basketball): at Arizona State at 3:00 PM.
The best way to stay on top of these shifting schedules is to bookmark the official team sites like kcroos.com and sportingkc.com. Things change fast in the world of sports—weather, travel delays, or even last-minute broadcast shifts can happen. If you're heading to Swinney Center, grab your tickets early; these conference games tend to get rowdy as the season progresses.
Check the Roos' official social media channels for live score updates if you’re out running errands this evening. For the soccer fans, keep an eye out for the post-match report from Florida to see which homegrown players made an impression in their first 2026 outing.