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Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
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Kauffman Stadium

What a visiting fan needs to know: where to stay, getting in from MCI, parking and tailgating, what to eat and where to sit.

  • Kansas City, MO
  • Home of the Royals
  • Fly into MCI
  • Stadium tours
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Games at Kauffman Stadium

Where to stay near Kauffman Stadium

Where visiting fans stay

From a specialist guide
  • Downtown and the Power & Light District
    Claire C Tsao, Google Maps

    Downtown and the Power & Light DistrictVisiting fans pick this

    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
    NotTheAverageGamerz, Google Maps

    Crown Center and Union StationVisiting fans pick this

    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
    Country Club Plaza, Google Maps

    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
    Michael Harris, Google Maps

    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.

Map of the area

Tap a pin to see the place.

Getting to Kauffman Stadium

From Kansas City International

From a specialist guide
MCI (Kansas City International), north of the city. Plan on a rental car or rideshare to the ballpark, which sits east of downtown at I-70 and I-435. RideKC Route 229 serves the airport from the Boardwalk-KCI transfer station.

On game day

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.

Parking and tailgating at Kauffman Stadium

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].

Game day at Kauffman Stadium

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.
  • 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. Prices vary at peak times. Kids 5 and under are free, and parking is free during the tour. Groups of 20 or more book seven days ahead for non-game days. Needs a separate game ticket and a parking pass. Book through the Royals tour page.

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.

Food and drink at Kauffman Stadium

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Rivals Sports Bar

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

    A sports bar in the Outfield Experience, near the Royals Hall of Fame and the Blue Moon Tap Room.

    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)

    A craft beer area on the Loge Level down the third base line, with Boulevard beers and food such as chicken tenders 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.

  • Boulevard Brewing Beer Hall
    Emmy W, Google Maps

    Boulevard Brewing Beer HallBefore or after

    2534 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108

    The second-floor beer hall at Boulevard Brewing, with a gift shop and brewery tours. It is near Union Station and Crown Center, about 7 miles west of the ballpark.

    Away fans: a brewery taproom with locals and tourists. Away colors draw no notice.

Things to do around Kauffman Stadium

Listed in the order they happen on game day. 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 first pitch

  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 first pitch

  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 first pitch

  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 first pitch

  5. Tour75 points

    Tour Kauffman Stadium

    The 75 minute Classic Tour runs during the season and visits the dugout, interview room and press box. Parking is free during Classic tours.

    $$

  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

    This barbecue restaurant on Brooklyn Avenue sits a short walk from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Pair the two 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 first pitch

  13. 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 first pitch

Seats and shade at Kauffman Stadium

Where the sun lands on a day game, and which seats stay dry when it rains.

Shade and cover

From a specialist guide
  • Loge Level sections 301 to 325. The coolest seats in the ballpark, under a deep overhang from the 400 level, and close to the concourse.
  • Upper deck sections 409 to 431. The cheapest shade. The roof covers rows MM and up, and rows M to V in sections 409 to 427 are shaded after 3 p.m.
  • 200 level infield sections 214 to 241, rows LL and up. Covered from rain and sun by the deck above. In the corners, sections 209 to 213 and 242 to 246, cover starts at row NN.
  • Third base side, sections 209 to 225. Home plate faces northeast, so the setting sun ends up behind the third base side and shade arrives there first.
  • Right field corner, sections 147 to 152 and 247 to 252. The hottest seats from 3 to 7 p.m., in the sun's path well into the evening. The 100 level and the outfield have no cover.