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Thu, Apr 8, Time TBA local on MLB.TV

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Pittsburgh Piratesat Kansas City Royals

Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City. Fly into MCI.

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What we know about Kauffman Stadium

Where visiting fans stay

From a specialist guide
  • Downtown and the Power & Light District. 15 min by drive. The most hotels, bars and restaurants. The Royals say the ballpark is a 10 minute drive from downtown.
  • Crown Center and Union Station. 15 min by drive. Hotels near Union Station, the WWI Museum and Boulevard Brewing. Close to the 18th and Vine district too.
  • Country Club Plaza and Westport. 20 min by drive. Walkable shopping and bars near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, on the south side of the city.
  • Near the Truman Sports Complex along I-70. 5 min by drive. The shortest drive to the lots, but little to do nearby.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The ballpark sits in the Truman Sports Complex at I-70 and I-435, across the lot from Arrowhead Stadium. There is no walkable bar or hotel cluster, so fans tailgate in the lots and drink downtown, about a 10 minute drive west.

Getting in from the airport

From a specialist guide
MCI (Kansas City International), about 30 miles northwest of the ballpark. Plan on 30 to 40 minutes by car or rideshare to the Truman Sports Complex at I-70 and I-435. RideKC Route 229 links the airport and downtown on weekdays only.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Drive and park in the Truman lots, about 15 min. Truman Sports Complex lots. Pay by card at Gates 2 to 4, 5 or 6, or scan your digital pass. Rideshare, about 15 min. Gate D through Toll Gate 3, or Gate B through Toll Gate 5. Drive from the airport, about 35 min. Truman Sports Complex lots at I-70 and I-435. Bike, about 20 min. Lock up on the media fence in Lot B near the signs.

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Tailgate only in the area behind your vehicle, not in a parking space. You cannot save spaces or buy extra spaces to tailgate, and large groups may be moved to Lot N. Staff start asking tailgaters to go into the game or leave the complex in the second inning. Tailgating during the game is not allowed, and the lots close one hour after the game ends. The Hall of Fame Pavilion and other tailgate areas can be booked with catering through [email protected].

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: One clear bag up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches or a one-gallon clear zip bag, plus a small clutch up to 9 x 5 inches. Medical and diaper bags are allowed after inspection. Prohibited items are not stored at the gates. Only small push-button umbrellas and lotion sunscreen (no aerosol) are allowed.
  • Cashless: The ballpark is cashless with no ATMs. Reverse ATMs at the Plaza Team Store, Sections 221 and 234, behind the outfield scoreboard and Sections 419 and 423 turn cash into a card.
  • Re-entry: There is no re-entry unless Guest Services approves it for an emergency.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
About 75 minutes, with stops at the dugout, interview room and press box when available. Tours start at the Team Store next to Gate C, with free parking in Lot M. Prices vary at peak times, and kids 5 and under are free. Longer tours of about 90 minutes (All-Star) and 2 hours (MVP). Parking in Lot M is free, and kids 5 and under are free. Starts at Gate C. You need a separate game ticket and a parking pass. Book through the Royals tour page. Groups of 20 or more can book a 75 minute tour seven days ahead.

After the final whistle

Checked at the source
Nearly everyone leaves by car, so expect a slow exit from the lots. The lots close one hour after the game ends. Rideshare pickup is in a marked traffic row in the middle of Lot A.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Bringing a regular bag. Kauffman Stadium allows only one clear bag up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches or a one-gallon clear zip bag, plus a clutch up to 9 x 5 inches, and the gates will not hold anything else.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Rivals Sports Bar

    1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129 (Outfield Experience, Kauffman Stadium)

    An indoor and outdoor sports bar just beyond right field, with a wall of 60-inch TVs, a sports bar menu and the Frozen Royal Rita. It sits in the Outfield Experience near the Royals Hall of Fame.

    Away fans: a Royals crowd in a ticketed area. Visiting fans get friendly ribbing.

  • Boulevard Brewing Craft & Draft

    1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129 (Loge Level, third base side, Kauffman Stadium)

    An open-air, climate-controlled bar on the Loge Level by section 301, down the third base line, with more than 20 Boulevard and other beers on tap, 50 bottles and quick-fire pizza. It sits in one of the shadiest parts of the ballpark.

    Away fans: a social section with a mixed crowd. Visitors fit in.

  • Miller Lite Fountain Bar

    1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129 (Outfield Experience, Kauffman Stadium)

    A bar in the Outfield Experience, near the Blue Moon Tap Room and the Joe's KC barbecue stand.

    Away fans: a busy outfield bar full of home fans, easygoing for visitors.

  • Blue Moon Tap Room

    1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129 (Outfield Experience, Kauffman Stadium)

    A tap room in the Outfield Experience, beside Rivals Sports Bar, the Miller Lite Fountain Bar and the Joe's KC stand. It is a good stop on a lap around the fountains.

    Away fans: a casual outfield bar with a home crowd. Visitors fit in.

Sidequests in Kansas City

Listed in the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Tailgate75 points

    Tailgate in the Truman lots

    Kauffman Stadium lets fans tailgate in the area behind their cars. Fire up the grill, then head in by the second inning.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  2. Landmark50 points

    See the outfield fountains up close

    The fountains beyond the outfield wall are the ballpark's signature. Walk the Outfield Experience for the closest view, and never step in, since that means arrest.

    Free. 1 hour 20 minutes before kickoff

  3. Landmark50 points

    Visit the Royals Hall of Fame

    The free, climate-controlled Royals Hall of Fame inside Gate A shows the 1985 and 2015 World Series trophies. It is also a good way to cool off on a hot night.

    Free. 1 hour 15 minutes before kickoff

  4. Eat75 points

    Z-Man sandwich at Joe's KC

    Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que runs a stand in right field. Order the Z-Man sandwich with crispy onion rings, the sandwich Joe's is known for.

    $$. 45 minutes before kickoff

  5. Tour75 points

    Tour Kauffman Stadium

    The 75 minute Classic Tour starts at the Team Store by Gate C and visits the dugout, interview room and press box. Parking in Lot M is free during the tour.

    $$

  6. Landmark100 points

    Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

    The museum in the 18th and Vine Jazz District tells the story of the Negro Leagues, two blocks from the YMCA where the leagues were founded. It is a must for any baseball fan in Kansas City.

    $

  7. Eat65 points

    Barbecue at Arthur Bryant's

    Arthur Bryant's has served barbecue at 18th and Brooklyn for decades, four blocks from where Municipal Stadium stood. Pair it with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for an afternoon in the 18th and Vine area.

    $$

  8. Eat75 points

    Barbecue at the original Joe's KC

    Joe's made its name in a gas station in Kansas City, Kansas, and that original location still serves barbecue. Go at lunch.

    $$

  9. Drink65 points

    Tour Boulevard Brewing

    Boulevard is Kansas City's hometown brewery, and its beer pours all over the ballpark. Take a tour and finish in the second-floor beer hall.

    $$

  10. Landmark40 points

    Walk through Union Station

    Kansas City's restored train station holds Science City, a planetarium and exhibits, and the building is open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Walk the main hall even if you skip the exhibits.

    Free

  11. Outing65 points

    National WWI Museum and Memorial

    The national museum of World War I sits on the hill across from Union Station, under the Liberty Memorial Tower. Ride up the tower for a view over downtown.

    $$

  12. Ritual50 points

    Kids run the bases on Sunday

    After every Sunday home game, kids 14 and under can run the bases, weather permitting. Line up on the first base spiral inside Gate D starting in the eighth inning.

    Free. 2 hours 30 minutes after kickoff

  13. Ritual40 points

    Friday night fireworks

    After every Friday night home game, the Royals put on a fireworks show over the outfield, weather and wind permitting. Stay in your seat after the last out.

    Free. 3 hours after kickoff

  14. Drink50 points

    Postgame at the Power & Light District

    Downtown's bar district gathers around the KC Live! stage. Head here after a game for a nightcap with fans of both teams.

    $$. 3 hours 30 minutes after kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of Kauffman Stadium sits, and what you see from it.

Fans post the view from their seats, section by section. See the views at Kauffman Stadium