Turning Point USA reports 70,000 filled stadium capacity with 20,000 more attending in overflow venues
About 90,000 to 100,000 people gathered Sunday to honor Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk at his memorial service, one of the largest public turnouts for a private citizen.
TPUSA told Fox News Digital that around 90,000 people attended the service, with about 70,000 filling State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Another 10,000 people gathered at the nearby Desert Diamond Arena, a designated overflow location, according to TPUSA estimates. In addition, another 10,000 watched the memorial from nearby viewing areas.
The turnout highlighted the extraordinary scale of the event.
Earlier law enforcement estimates had placed attendance at around 200,000, though final numbers were between 90,000 and 100,000 guests.
The memorial service featured political leaders, conservative media figures, and religious leaders, making it one of the largest public gatherings ever held for a private citizen.
According to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, the service was broadcast across every major U.S. television network.
While memorials can be private or large, Kirk’s service reflected the mix of politics, media, and faith that shaped his public life.
Similar large gatherings have occurred for other cultural icons. For example, Elvis Presley’s funeral in 1977 drew an estimated 80,000 people to the streets of Memphis, though only a few hundred attended inside.
In June 2016, about 14,000 people attended a memorial for heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky, with thousands more watching online.
In 1968, two large services were held for Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, one at Ebenezer Baptist Church and another at Morehouse College. Around 150,000 people watched King’s funeral procession, with additional crowds inside each location.
Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. The event was the first stop on TPUSA’s planned American Comeback Tour.
Known for his debates on college campuses, Kirk was answering open-mic questions from a crowd of thousands when a gunshot ended his life.
