Inside Charlie Kirk's Funeral Plans: Place, How to Watch, Speakers, & More

From how to watch the livestream to what to wear, here's a breakdown of the day's schedule, speakers, and safety protocols.

Charlie Kirk will be honored on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, at a memorial service expected to draw massive crowds, high-profile speakers, and extensive security.

Doors open at 8 a.m., with the program starting at 11 a.m. Seating at State Farm Stadium will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with overflow accommodations available at Desert Diamond Arena. Guests are encouraged to dress in red, white, or blue. Parking is free, and a no-bag policy will be strictly enforced.

The speaker lineup includes President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Kirk's widow, Erika, and other prominent figures such as Donald Trump Jr., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Marco Rubio, Tucker Carlson, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Stephen Miller, Susie Wiles, and Sergio Gor.

Worship will be led by Christian artists Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, Steve Amerson, and Lee Greenwood. The event will be livestreamed on Kirk's Rumble account, with coverage also planned by Fox News and ABC News Live.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration's participation, saying, "We're actually taking two planes full of White House staff."

Federal agencies are "tracking several threats of unknown credibility" against attendees, prompting Super Bowl–level security. According to Glendale police, attendance could exceed 100,000. In lieu of flowers, supporters are encouraged to donate to TPUSA.com. More information is available at FightForCharlie.com.

As we previously reported, Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, prompting an investigation, eyewitness reports, and reactions from political leaders.

The violence erupted during Kirk's midday appearance, organized by the university's student chapter of TPUSA. Witnesses said they heard a single gunshot from a nearby building before security rushed him away and campus police cleared the courtyard. Kirk was the only person reported injured.

A UVU spokesperson later recounted the details, "We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon."

The university representative continued, "At about 12:20, shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel. The campus is closed for the rest of the day, and our campus police has a suspect in custody."

While the university sought to reassure the community, TPUSA confirmed Kirk's condition. "This is an ongoing situation," said spokesperson Aubrey Laitsch. "We can confirm that Charlie Kirk has been shot. He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time."

By late afternoon, hopes were dashed. The organization announced Kirk's death to its employees and supporters in a note, also shared with CNN, "It's with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven."

Attention soon turned to the investigation. Shortly after Kirk's tragic death, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said on X that the person initially detained in connection with the shooting had been questioned and released.

He also emphasized that the inquiry remains active and promised to provide continued updates in the interest of transparency.

With no suspect in custody, a wider manhunt began — but an expert warned it would be difficult. CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said the attacker likely planned to move silently, remain unseen, fire a single shot, complete the mission, take the weapon, and leave little evidence behind.

The TV network's analyst also noted that the precision of the single shot suggested the attacker had prior firearms experience.

"This is someone who knew exactly what they were doing and is probably known to others, and this may be working to the advantage of law enforcement. As someone who has a long history in shooting, this wasn't an amateur," he explained.

Eyewitness accounts underscored the sense of shock. Jeremy King, 45, who stood about 15 feet from Kirk, said he was initially confused at the time, believing the gunshot might have been "part of an act or performance" tied to the discussion about gun rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

King's confusion turned to panic as Kirk collapsed. "Everyone around me dropped to the ground. I immediately stood over my wife. You don't know if this is a single shot or if it's going to turn into a mass shooting. And so you're scanning," he recalled.

He later saw Kirk's bodyguards react swiftly, adding, "At that moment, I did grab my phone and start recording as they moved him to the SUV and loaded him up."

As the reality of Kirk's death set in, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. In an address, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a national tragedy.

"I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror," he said. He also described Kirk as a "martyr" and called the incident a "dark moment" in American history.

Meanwhile, the country's Vice President JD Vance mourned Kirk's death and echoed Trump's message by reposting it on X, amplifying the president's praise of Kirk as a "legendary" figure who deeply influenced young Americans.

Trump's post also included condolences to Kirk's wife, Erika, and their family. Vance followed with a brief prayer for Kirk's peaceful eternal rest.

Earlier in the day, Trump had issued a formal proclamation ordering that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through September 14. The order applies to the White House, federal buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies worldwide.