The fourth season premiere of Apple TV+'s "Ted Lasso" shifts its setting from Richmond and Kansas to the vibrant cityscape of Kansas City, Missouri, showcasing a range of local landmarks and establishments.
After spending three years with his son, Henry, in Kansas City, Ted Lasso finds himself visited by Rebecca, Keeley, and Higgins. Their mission is to persuade Ted to return to Richmond and coach the new women's soccer team. This reunion prompts a tour of Ted's hometown, highlighting familiar places for the characters and offering viewers a glimpse into Kansas City.
Filming for the episode spanned several distinct locations within Kansas City. Among the notable spots is Gates Bar-B-Q, a local institution where the characters are seen enjoying barbecue platters. The episode reportedly features the Midtown location at Linwood and Main.
Another key filming area was the Country Club Plaza, a historic district known for its shopping and dining. Within the Plaza, scenes featuring Rebecca and Keeley visiting the fictional boutique Dazzle Me Moi were shot, with recognizable elements like the Plaza Time Building visible.
Higgins undertakes a solo exploration, visiting The Museums At 18th & Vine. Though the American Jazz Museum is a point of interest, he ultimately tours the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This museum, located at 1616 E 18th St, is dedicated to the history of African American baseball players and the formation of the Negro Leagues in 1920.
The premiere also highlights Kansas City's sporting infrastructure with scenes at CPKC Stadium, the first soccer stadium purpose-built for a women's professional sports team globally. The stadium, with a capacity of 11,500, is known for selling out home games. The episode incorporates elements of the stadium's atmosphere, including references to Malawian attacker Temwa Chawinga, a two-time National Women's Soccer League MVP.
Beyond these specific locations, the episode incorporates a drive through Kansas City, featuring numerous other landmarks. These include the KC Wheel, the Bartle Hall pylons, the Uptown Theater, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Town-Topic Hamburgers, and the Kansas City Powers & Light Building. The collective use of these sights aims to serve as a tribute to Kansas City.