Ballpark Gamel Plan: Kansas City Royals & Kauffman Stadium

Field: Kauffman Stadium

Official Site: https://www.mlb.com/royals

Year Completed: 1973

Capacity: 37,903

Mascot: Sluggerrr (a lion)

The Game We’ll See: Wednesday, August 2: New York Mets vs. Kansas City Royals (see all 30 here!)

Parking & Transportation:

Parking must be purchased in advance online and costs about $20. Tailgating is allowed, but vehicles may not be parked on the grass. Large tailgate groups must use Lot N.

Oversized vehicle: Parking is available in Lot N for $40.

Stadium Tours:

Game day tours are offered on most Tuesdays through Saturdays, plus select Sundays. They range from 75 minutes for the Classic Tour, to 90 minutes for the All-Star Tour, to 2 hours for the MVP Tour. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adults pay $15, $25, or $35 dollars, and children 6 to 17 pay $12, $22, or $30, depending on the tour. Free parking is included with the tour in Lot M.

The Classic Tour includes the Dugout, Interview Room, Diamond Club, Outfield Plaza and press box. The All-Star Tour adds The Royals Hall of Fame, Craft and Draft, and the Triple Crown Suite. The MVP Tour adds the Broadcast Press Level, UMB Dugout Suites, View Level, and additional points of interest in the park. All-Star and MVP Tour guests also receive a Kauffman Stadium collector’s pin. All tour guests receive 10% off at the team store on the day of the tour.

You can also purchase Early Bird tickets to watch batting practice one hour before the regular gate time. For example, if the game time is 7:10, and gates open at 5:30, early birds can enter at 4:30 to watch the Royals practice until 5:25, then the visitors practice until 6:25. The Early Bird tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of the game at Gate A (Left Field) ninety minutes before the general gates open. The cost is $15 per person.

General Information:

Bags: Kauffman Field allows fans to bring in a clutch bag that does not exceed 9” by 5”. Fans may also bring in one clear bag no larger than 12”x12”x6” or a one-gallon clear zip-seal bag. Unfortunately, storage is not available.

Food & Beverages: Each fan may bring in one factory-sealed, clear plastic bottle of water or sports drink no larger than one liter.

Cashless transactions: All transactions are cashless.

Signs: Signs are permitted as long as they don’t block views, interfere with the game, contain advertising, or contain offensive materials.

Foul Balls: Fans may keep foul balls, as long as they don’t lean over the rails or enter the playing area to retrieve them.

Cameras: Cameras are allowed. Lenses greater than 12”, monopods, and tripods are prohibited.

Umbrellas: Kauffman Stadium allows small umbrellas, and asks that fans be considerate of others when using them.

Gates: Gates open 1.5 hours prior to game time Friday through Sunday, and 1 hour prior to game time Monday through Thursday. On dates with giveaways, gates open 1.5 hours prior to the game.

Where to Sit:

The Royals reward advanced planning, according to The Ultimate Baseball Road Trip! This is one stadium where buying tickets in advance will save money. The price for dugout box seats (in sections 116 – 139) are very affordable, padded seats with great views.

Baseball Road Trips recommends the third-base side of the 400 level (Sections 409 – 415) for good seats at budget prices, or sections 301 to 310 or 214 to 223 if you are looking for slightly better seats and shade. Baseball Bucket List suggests seats in the 200 level along the first base line.

Ballpark Savvy recommends bringing a glove and trying to catch a foul ball in sections 111 to 115 or 140 to 144. Baseball Bucket List says you will have a better shot at a ball in sections 116 to 121 and 133 to 139.

If it is hot, consider sitting near the waterfalls in sections 201, 202, and 203.

Food:

According to Inside Hook, the Kansas City Royals’ signature dish is the Brisket-Atcho, a BBQ variation on nachos.
Their signature hot dog is the Kansas City All-Star Dog. It’s a hot dog on a bun, topped with smoked pulled-pork, coleslaw, pickles, and BBQ sauce.
According to MLB blog writer Royal Rundown, The Wurstle (a European style dog on a baguette) is also worth sampling.
Baseball Bucket List considers The Rookie Sandwich to be a must have. They also recommend Burnt End Mac N Cheese and the French Toast Ice Cream Sandwich.

First Time Visitors:

The Royals let you print out your own first game certificate on their website. They have two versions: one for kids and one for adults. You can also visit one of the two Guest Services office to get one at the field. The first is on the Plaza Level behind the Diamond Club Lobby, and the second is on the View Level behind home plate at section 420.

Autographs:

Kauffman Stadium prohibits autographs.

Other Stadium Tips & Highlights:

The stadium is known for its fountains and waterfalls. The stadium’s water feature was once the largest privately funded fountain in the world. Now, it’s a great place to visit both for its beauty and for the cooling effect of the mist.

If you are 21 or older and have a valid driver’s license, you can sign up for the Designated Driver Program. If you pledge not to drink alcohol during the game, then you’ll receive a voucher for a free water or soda, and be entered to win a Miller Lite prize pack. Register at the Designated Driver kiosk on the Plaza Level, across from Section 421 on the View Level, or online.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the Negro League Baseball Museum while you are in Kansas City!

The Royals Hall of Fame is located inside Gate A on the left-field Plaza Level concourse. It is free to visit and is open until the top of the 8^th inning.

Behind home plate, in section 127, Row C, Seat 9, there is one red seat tucked among a sea of blue. This seat honors Buck O’Neil, the first African American coach in the MLB. At every game, the Royals honor a member of the Kansas City community who reflects the values and spirit of Buck O’Neil by seating them in his legacy seat.

The Royals have retired three numbers, in addition to Jackie Robinson’s number, and they are displayed on the walls of the Royals Hall of Fame beyond the left field standards. You can find statues for the three retired Royals on the outfield plaza.