Kansas City, January 1, 2026
News Summary
Kansas City has opened The Dub, a women-focused sports bar downtown that highlights women’s athletics. Alongside, the city welcomes the KC Diamonds, a professional women’s softball team, enhancing visibility for women’s sports. With unique offerings and an inclusive environment, both venues celebrate the growth and recognition of women’s sports in the area.
Kansas City Welcomes a New Women’s Sports Bar and Launches Professional Softball Team
Kansas City has recently celebrated the opening of The Dub, a new sports bar in downtown that highlights women’s athletics. Opened last fall after years of fundraising and renovations, The Dub is co-owned by Monica Brady and Rachel Glenn, inspired by the Sports Bra bar in Portland. This establishment coincides with the Kansas City Current’s record-breaking season and the establishment of CPKC Stadium, marking a significant moment for women’s sports in the city.
Located in the former Banksia Bistro space on West 9th Street, The Dub seeks to address the challenge many bars face when it comes to showcasing women’s sports on their television screens. The interior of The Dub features soft hues of teal, red, and white, reflecting the colors of the Kansas City Current. Notably, nearly every seat offers a clear view of a screen, ensuring visibility of the games.
The bar includes a unique back lounge styled like a locker room and an outdoor patio, providing ample options for patrons to enjoy the games. Decor elements include community-donated trophies, sports memorabilia, and a vintage scoreboard, fostering a strong connection to local sports culture. The drink menu offers craft cocktails, beer, wine, and mocktails, while the food menu is designed for sharing and features items like sheet-pan nachos and fresh salads. The Dub is also LGBTQ+-friendly, focused on inclusivity and fostering community connections.
A standout item on the drink menu is a fan-favorite cocktail named after the Jewel Box Lounge, a historic drag bar in Kansas City, which further emphasizes the bar’s mission of inclusivity.
In addition to The Dub’s opening, Kansas City is also welcoming the KC Diamonds, a new professional women’s softball team. The KC Diamonds will be a founding member of the Professional Softball League (PSL) and announced their launch at Legends Field, home of the KC Monarchs. The inaugural season of the team is set to begin against the Atlanta Smoke on June 11, 2026. Their first home game is scheduled for June 17, 2026, against the Florida Vibe, with tickets for the inaugural season going on sale on February 1, 2026.
General Manager Jeremy McDowell emphasized the significance of the team for women’s sports visibility in Kansas City. The KC Diamonds have already signed two players, Leah Boggs (catcher) and Savanah Henley (pitcher), both alumni of the University of Virginia.
The PSL consists of seven inaugural teams, including the KC Diamonds, Atlanta Smoke, and outfits from Chattanooga and Florida. Each team will have a roster of 20 players and participate in a 39-game season. Notably, the PSL’s inaugural season will be broadcasted on All Women’s Sports Network, Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, and DirecTV. The KC Diamonds will be operated as a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board and will also include youth teams for different age groups.
The announcement of the KC Diamonds has received positive feedback and support from local leaders and the community, underlining the growing enthusiasm for women’s sports in Kansas City.
Key Features of The Dub and KC Diamonds
| Feature | The Dub | KC Diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Downtown Kansas City on West 9th Street | Legends Field, home of the KC Monarchs |
| Opening Year | Opened fall 2023 | Inaugural season starts June 11, 2026 |
| Culinary Offerings | Craft cocktails, beer, wine, mocktails, sharing-style food | Not applicable |
| Inclusivity | LGBTQ+-friendly | Non-profit organization |
| Broadcasting | Not applicable | Broadcasted on All Women’s Sports Network, Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, DirecTV |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dub?
The Dub is a new sports bar in downtown Kansas City that emphasizes women’s athletics, opened last fall after years of fundraising and renovations.
Where is The Dub located?
The Dub is located in the former Banksia Bistro space on West 9th Street in downtown Kansas City.
What is the KC Diamonds?
The KC Diamonds is a new professional women’s softball team in Kansas City, serving as a founding member of the Professional Softball League (PSL).
When will the KC Diamonds’ inaugural season start?
The inaugural season of the KC Diamonds will kick off against the Atlanta Smoke on June 11, 2026.
How can I support women’s sports in Kansas City?
You can support women’s sports in Kansas City by visiting The Dub, attending KC Diamonds games, and promoting local women’s athletic events.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KQ2 News
- KSHB News
- Just Women’s Sports
- Kansas City Star
- Axios Kansas City
- Wikipedia: Women in Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Google Search: Women’s Sports in Kansas City
- Google Scholar: Women’s Professional Softball
- Google News: Women’s Sports Bar Kansas City
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
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