Charlie Kirk death: The funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk will take place on Sunday, 21 September, at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. Turning Point USA, the non-profit organisation co-founded by Kirk, confirmed the arrangements on social media, inviting the public to attend a memorial titled “Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk”.
Doors will open at 8 a.m., with the programme scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration available online. The stadium, which has previously hosted three Super Bowls, is expected to see tens of thousands gather to commemorate the life of the 31-year-old activist.
Who will attend?
US President Donald Trump announced his intention to attend the funeral, following an emotional tribute he delivered after Kirk’s death. Trump has described the killing as a “heinous assassination” and ordered all American flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday at 6 p.m.
Vice President JD Vance, who accompanied Kirk’s casket on September 11, will also be present, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior administration officials. The high-level participation underscores the influence Kirk wielded within conservative political circles.
Kirk’s widow, Erika’s message
Kirk’s widow, Erika, expressed her gratitude to first responders and supporters, vowing to continue honouring her late husband’s legacy. The couple lived in Arizona with their two young children.
In a message shared after the funeral plans were announced, Erika said she was “humbled by the outpouring of love” and pledged to keep his vision alive. Supporters of Kirk have described him as a “warrior for faith, family, and freedom,” a sentiment echoed by Turning Point USA in its memorial tribute.
Kirk’s shooting
Charlie Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday during an open-air speaking event at Utah University. Police arrested the suspected gunman, Tyler Robinson, on Thursday evening after he surrendered. The killing shocked the conservative movement, where Kirk was regarded as one of the most prominent voices of his generation.
Born in Illinois, Kirk founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18, initially operating from a garage in his hometown of Lemont. Over the years, he built the organisation into one of the most influential grassroots groups in America, with a strong emphasis on campus activism and youth outreach.
A tribute on the memorial website highlighted his commitment to his Christian faith and to protecting what he saw as the pillars of American society. “Charlie died doing what he loved: fighting for truth, for faith, for family, and for America. His sacrifice will endure as a guiding light for generations,” the statement read.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has not only shaken the conservative movement but also reignited debates over political violence in America. With world leaders and thousands of supporters expected at the State Farm Stadium, his funeral is set to be both a public farewell and a political statement.
As Turning Point USA put it in their announcement, “Join us in celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Charlie Kirk, an American legend.”