A few weeks ago, our family ventured out with the kids to do something “very Richmond.” We went to a Richmond Kickers soccer game! We had been meaning to go for a while. Our daughter has been participating in their classes through her daycare since she was 3 years old and has loved every moment.
My whole feeling of the experience was – Why haven’t we done this sooner? Richmond City Stadium, where they play home games, is right at the intersection of I-64 and 195S/The downtown expressway. It’s super easy to get to and only about 20 minutes from where we live in North Chesterfield.
Parking was free and very convenient. Tickets were reasonably priced – and would have been cheaper if we had gotten there earlier. That night, they were having a fun event where a lot of Richmond’s most popular food trucks held a “food truck court” where you could grab dinner or snacks. (The fresh lemonade and salted chocolate gourmet ice pops were to die for.)
The game started at 7:00 PM. Even in August, the heat was not unbearable that evening. The sky was beautiful. It was a lovely night to enjoy an up-close-and-personal spirited game of soccer. These guys are no joke. I haven’t watched a lot of soccer, but every bit of the game struck me as the real deal.
It was super kid friendly. Our kids are 2 and 4 and it held their attention most of the time. They play 45-minute halves so the game has a predictable end (which is nice for planning a ‘leave’ time and subsequent bed time!). My daughter was so excited seeing her “Coach Stanley” out on the field playing in the game! Off the field, there were bounce houses and activities set up for the kids.
What surprised me was how empty the stands were. There are stands on both sides of the stadium, yet only one side was about 1/3 full. On one hand, the space meant the kids had room to roam, and could walk all the way down to the field level to see and even talk to the players up close! But how sad, that we have such a great activity right here in our back yard and so few people came out see and enjoy it! Well, we did just go to one game so perhaps there’s usually more people there. Or maybe everybody else is like we were – putting it off.
My advice? Don’t wait. The Kickers season is almost over – their last home game (from what I can tell on their schedule) is this Saturday August 11, at 7 PM, when they take on the Harrisburg City Islanders!
Note: This is not a paid review. I just loved our experience going to the game! Also, check out their website for information about all of the other Richmond Kickers offerings such as Little Kicks and camps.
About Mary Beth Cox
