MLB
Stadium Guide
·
Kansas City, Missouri
Opened
April 10, 1973
Capacity of
37,903
Best way there
Tickets
Mobile, in the MLB Ballpark app
Arrive by
Gates open 60–90 min early
90 min on weekends, 1 hr Monday through Thursday.
Bag policy
16" × 16" × 8" max
Soft-sided bags only. All bags are inspected.
Food & water
Sealed water or sports drinks only
Up to 1 liter. No outside food.
Parking
$10–$20
Truman Sports Complex lots.
Nearest airport
Kansas City (MCI) · 18 mi
About 25 min by car.
Best value seats
Upper box sections 419–435
Mid-infield.
Kauffman Stadium — known locally as The K — opened in 1973 and is one of the few remaining baseball-only parks from that era that still feels purpose-built for the sport rather than compromised by multi-use design. It holds just under 38,000 fans and is set on a large open campus in the Truman Sports Complex alongside Arrowhead Stadium. The fountains and waterfall display beyond the outfield wall are one of the most iconic features in baseball.
The complex sits about 10 miles east of downtown Kansas City, making it a car-dependent destination — public transit options are limited. The tradeoff is abundant, affordable parking and a relaxed approach to the surrounding lot that makes The K one of the better tailgating ballparks in MLB. The stadium itself is well-maintained and fan-friendly, and a new downtown ballpark is planned for Kansas City in the coming years.
MCI is about 18 miles northwest of Kauffman Stadium. A rideshare runs $25–40. There's no transit from the airport, so drive or rideshare. The Royals are planning a new downtown stadium, but Kauffman remains home for now.
ADA-designated spaces are throughout the Truman Sports Complex. The accessible drop-off zone is near the main gates off I-70. For accessibility services, call the Royals at (816) 921-8000 or visit royals.com/accessibility.
Kauffman is in the Truman Sports Complex next to Arrowhead Stadium, with huge, well-organized, affordable lots. It's one of the easiest parking situations in MLB. Pre-purchase online for the best rates.
The Truman Sports Complex is one of MLB's great tailgating venues. Big lots give room for grills, coolers and lawn chairs. Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch, so arrive early.
Transit is limited, and this is mainly a drive-in venue. KCATA sometimes runs game-day buses. Check kcata.org. Most fans drive or rideshare from downtown or the metro.
Kauffman is an isolated suburban complex with no walkable neighborhood. Drive, rideshare or take the limited bus service.
Bike parking is at the stadium. The area has limited cycling infrastructure, so biking is impractical from downtown KC or other neighborhoods.
Water and electrolyte sports drinks in unopened plastic bottles, 1 liter or smaller.
No outside food.
Soft-sided bags up to 16" x 16" x 8" are allowed and subject to inspection. Medical and diaper bags are also allowed.
Kauffman is one of baseball's most underrated ballparks, a well-maintained 1973 design. The wide lower bowl is comfortable, and sections behind home plate have excellent sightlines. The Royals dugout is on the first base side. Most seats can see the famous waterfall beyond the outfield wall.
The upper deck mid-infield gives a strong view of the whole field and the fountains beyond the outfield. Prices are reasonable and sightlines are clean. One of the better upper deck values in the AL.
The park has no major seating problems, but skip the far upper deck corners, which are steep and far from the action. No pole obstructions.
Home plate points roughly north. For afternoon games, the first base/right field side faces west and catches direct sun for most of the game. The third base side and left field bleachers shade out earlier from the upper deck overhang. KC summer afternoons are hot, so the third base side is noticeably more comfortable.
The park is fully open-air. April and May can swing from cold and rainy to warm and sunny in one week. July and August afternoons can be brutal in unshaded seats. Wind can be a factor. September and October are typically excellent.
Beyond right field - Large sports bar with a refined menu, many drinks and plenty of TVs.
Loge level on the third base line - Gastropub with fresh, local ingredients and over 75 local and national beers on draft and bottle.
Outfield Experience - Healthier food, including customizable salads and wraps, veggie burgers and dogs, and snacks. Self-checkout and self-service draft for faster service.
Outfield Experience - Sponsored by Sweet Baby Rays, with a full range of BBQ favorites.
The Royals Hall of Fame on the main concourse honors legends like George Brett and Frank White, plus the 1985 World Series championship that defined the franchise.
The Outfield Experience, behind center field near the Crown Vision board, is one of MLB's biggest kids' areas. It has the Price Chopper Little K playground with a splash pad, Sluggerrr's Mini Golf, a pitching mound, a batting challenge, a timed base-run challenge and a carousel. It also has kid-sized shops, kid-friendly concession stands, and bench/table seating with TVs.
The outfield fountains, the largest privately funded water feature in the world, put on synchronized shows during breaks. After select Sunday home games, kids can run the bases. Early arrival for batting practice is a family favorite.
Kid-friendly concessions are available within the Outfield Experience, alongside Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ, Belfonte Ice Cream, and other stands.
Nursing: Mother's nursing room on the Plaza Level behind home plate, next to First Aid.
Changing tables: In all restrooms. Larger Family Restrooms are throughout the stadium (ask an usher).
Strollers: Fold-up strollers go under your seat or at any Guest Services office. Leave non-folding strollers in the car.
Sensory/quiet space: Royals Charities Sensory Rooms are inside each dugout concourse on the first and third base sides, closest to the elevator.
Tip: Free Child ID Bracelets (seat location and contact phone number handwritten) are at Guest Service Offices behind home plate on the Plaza and View Levels.
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