The ninth annual VetsAid concert is coming home — literally. On Saturday, November 15, 2025, at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita, Kansas, Joe Walsh, the multi-GRAMMY-winning guitarist and Wichita native, will headline a star-studded benefit for veterans — for the first time ever in the city where he was born. It’s more than a concert. It’s a homecoming. And for the 15,000-plus fans expected to fill the arena, it’s a chance to witness something rare: a rock legend returning to his roots to give back.

A Legend Comes Home

Joe Walsh, born in Wichita on November 20, 1947, spent his early years in the heart of Kansas before rising to fame with the Eagles and later as a solo artist. He’s played stadiums from Madison Square Garden to Wembley, but until now, his signature veterans’ charity event has never returned to his birthplace. The decision to bring VetsAid to Wichita in 2025 wasn’t just sentimental — it was strategic. "It is with great pride and gratitude that our traveling circus of love and community will make a stop in Wichita," Walsh said in a statement. "Wichita is the place to be this November 15." This year’s event, officially titled "Joe Walsh & Friends Present VetsAid: The Concert For Our Veterans," marks a turning point. After eight years of touring major cities — from Nashville to Chicago — the organizers are redirecting all net proceeds to Kansas-based veteran service organizations. It’s a deliberate pivot, one that reflects a growing recognition that local impact matters as much as national awareness.

Who’s Playing? A Who’s Who of American Music

The lineup reads like a rock and roll hall of fame ballot. Vince Gill, the 22-time GRAMMY winner and former Eagles member, will deliver a full set. Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen bring their gritty, soulful Americana. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, whose marriage and musical partnership have become legendary, will join Walsh for a super-set — and Trucks, notably, has family roots in Wichita. Rounding out the bill is Nathaniel Rateliff, whose raw, gospel-infused performances have earned him a devoted following.

The chemistry among these artists isn’t just professional — it’s personal. They’ve played together before, toured in support of veterans’ causes, and share a deep respect for the military community. "This year’s show isn’t just a concert," Walsh added, "it’s a revival." The venue itself — INTRUST Bank Arena — opened in 2010 and has since become a cultural anchor for Wichita. With a seating capacity of 15,004, it’s the largest indoor arena in Kansas and the home of the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. For this event, the arena will be transformed into a sanctuary of sound and solidarity.

Where the Money Goes — And Why It Matters

Since its founding in 2017, VetsAid has distributed over $4 million in grants to veteran service organizations nationwide. But in 2025, the focus narrows. All proceeds will go exclusively to Kansas-based nonprofits vetted by the Combined Arms Institute, a nonprofit that connects veterans and their families with housing, mental health care, employment, and transition support.

This shift isn’t arbitrary. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kansas has one of the highest per-capita veteran populations in the Midwest — over 140,000 residents, many of whom live in rural areas with limited access to services. "We’ve seen the gaps," said a spokesperson for the Combined Arms Institute. "This funding will help bridge them — whether it’s transporting a veteran to a VA clinic in Salina or funding peer counseling in Dodge City." Grant applications for Kansas organizations are open now at www.vetsaid.org. The deadline is October 1, 2025.

Can’t Make It? Stream It

For those who can’t be in the arena, VetsAid 2025: Live from Wichita will be streamed via VEEPS, the live-event platform known for intimate concert recordings. Individual tickets cost $14.99, while a $19.99 monthly subscription unlocks access to dozens of live shows, documentaries, and exclusive backstage content. The stream will include never-before-seen rehearsal footage and interviews with the artists — a bonus for fans who’ve followed Walsh’s decades-long career.

What This Means for Veterans in Kansas

The emotional weight of this event is matched by its tangible impact. For the first time, the money raised by a VetsAid concert will stay within the state where the founder was born. That means local nonprofits — many of which operate on shoestring budgets — will receive direct, unrestricted funding. A small nonprofit in Liberal, Kansas, that runs a weekly veteran meal program, could get a $50,000 grant. A counseling center in Topeka might finally afford a full-time therapist.

"This isn’t just about one night," said retired Army Master Sergeant Linda Ruiz, who volunteers with a Wichita-based veteran peer network. "It’s about proving that people who’ve served don’t have to wait for big-city charities to notice them. Someone who grew up right here cares enough to bring the whole damn band home." The concert also comes at a critical time. VA wait times in Kansas have increased by 18% since 2023, according to the Kansas Veterans Affairs Commission. Mental health services remain underfunded. And rural veterans — who make up nearly 40% of the state’s veteran population — often travel over 100 miles for care.

What’s Next?

The VetsAid team has hinted that 2026’s event may return to a previous host city, but the 2025 model — hyper-local impact tied to the founder’s origins — could become a blueprint. Other artists with strong regional ties may follow suit. "If Joe can bring this energy to Wichita," said music journalist Marcus Delaney, "imagine what a Bruce Springsteen concert in Freehold or a Dolly Parton show in Sevierville could do for their communities." Tickets for the VetsAid concert go on sale Friday, August 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. Central Time via www.selectaseat.com. All-in pricing starts at $50. And while the stage lights will dim by midnight, the ripple effect — the meals served, the therapy sessions funded, the veterans who feel seen — will last far longer.