Step Inside: Kauffman Stadium – Home of the Kansas City Royals

Home of the Kansas City Royals

See where the Royals reign at Kauffman Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals. The outdoor ballpark, located in Kansas City, Missouri’s Truman Sports Complex, stands directly across from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Find everything you need to know about Kauffman Stadium before getting Court Vision at The K, below.

Kauffman Stadium History

As the sixth oldest stadium in MLB, Kauffman Stadium holds a deep history dating back to its opening on April 10, 1973. Built specifically to host baseball for the Royals, the stadium was named Royals Stadium until 1993, when it took its current name in honor of the team’s founder and first owner, Ewing Kauffman.

Despite its baseball-centric design focus, The K has plenty to offer off the field. Look past the outfield and enjoy the 322-foot “Water Spectacular” fountains and waterfall, which were the largest privately-funded fountain system in the world when introduced in 1973. The display was renovated as part of The K’s largest modernization project between 2007 and 2009. The $250 million construction effort also added a 360-degree outfield concourse, replaced the iconic crown-shaped video board with a similar but larger, HD “Crown Vision” board and installed the family-friendly “Outfield Experience” featuring a carousel, putt-putt golf, batting cages and more.

Arrive early to bask in Royals greatness and more at the Kansas City Baseball Hall of Fame, located inside Gate A on the Plaza level, or head to the past the fountains to see statues of 1985 World Series champions George Brett, Dick Howser and Frank White in right field and Kauffman and his wife Muriel Kauffman in the left. Since 2007, the stadium reserves the Buck O’Neil legacy seat, a red seat behind home plate honoring the late Negro World Series champion for Kansas City Monarchs, who became the first black coach in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, career scout for the Royals and National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.

Several major events have taken place at The K, including the Royals’ World Series appearances in 1980, 1985, 2014 and 2015. Although KC won the championship in 1985 and 2015, the team only clinched the series victory on their home field for the former, which also marked the franchise’s first title win. For the league in general, Kauffman Stadium has hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 1973 and 2012.

Parking and Admission at Kauffman Stadium

Kauffman Stadium is located at 1 Royal Way in Kansas City, Missouri. With its central location at the Truman Sports Complex, there’s no shortage of parking. Kauffman Stadium parking prices vary based on whether guests buy a pass beforehand or onsite: pre-purchased passes cost $20 for General Parking, $30 for Reserved Parking and $40 for Oversized Vehicle Parking, while parking passes bought at the gate cost $30 for General, $40 for Reserved and $50 for Oversized Vehicle parking.

To arrive by car, Kauffman Stadium is easily accessible from I-70 and I-435. Gates for parking open several hours before first pitch, though times vary by game. Meanwhile, gates for Kauffman Stadium itself open 60 minutes before the game on Monday through Thursday and 90 minutes early from Friday to Sunday. Public transportation is available via the RideKC bus service on the 47-Broadway line. For bus routes and schedules, check out the RideKC website.

For entry, Kauffman Stadium bag policy allows any clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” or clear, one-gallon freezer bags. Backpacks and opaque bags larger than 9” x 5” are not permitted. Prohibited items at Kauffman Stadium include weapons, fireworks, bullhorns and other noisemakers, baseball bats and coolers. Although most outside drinks are not allowed, Kauffman Stadium permits guests to bring one, one-liter or smaller, sealed bottle of water or a sports drink per person. For the full list of Kauffman Stadium rules for entry, see more on the team’s website.

Kauffman Stadium Capacity & Seating Options

The Kauffman Stadium seating capacity can reach a maximum of 37,903 fans. Seating at Kauffman Stadium is divided between the Field, Plaza, Loge and View levels, along with premium seating throughout. ADA-certified seating is available at the top of most sections in Kauffman Stadium, though guests can make arrangements for wheelchair seating areas ahead of time by calling the team at 1-800-676-9257. Kauffman Stadium also offers a mix of standing room and reserved seats in social spaces like the QuikTrip Fountain Deck, Brew & View, Craft & Draft and Rivals Sports Bar.

VIP at Kauffman Stadium can be found across 40 luxury and party suites as well as several sets of club seats. Luxury suites include the All-Star, Hall of Fame, Signature and Dugout options, while club seats are divided amongst the Diamond Club and Crown Club. For information on club suites and seats, email the Royals sales team at premiumsales@royals.com, call (816) 504-4040 or visit the team’s website.

Before securing your tickets, check out the Kauffman Stadium seating chart to pick your perfect seat.

Food & Beverage Options at Kauffman Stadium

Get your fill of Kansas City barbecue and more with the unique and local-styled servings at Kauffman Stadium. Burn through some KC BBQ with the Brisket-Acho, a brisket and nacho creation served in a Royals helmet, the chopped-brisket Rookie Sandwich or the confectionary Pulled Pork Patty Melt, which stacks barbecue pulled pork, shredded cheese, fried onions and funnel cake on a jalapeno popper skewer. For local favorites, look for spots like KCQ, Palacana and Buffalo State Pizza, or try something new like the East Coast-inspired Crab Fries, which are topped with Old Bay seasoning.

During the summer months, adults over 21 years old should try one of the stadium’s latest menu additions: KC Wine Co’s frozen wine pops called Vine Coolers. Elsewhere, grab a Hop Stop from Boulevard Brewing Company, the official craft beer of the Kansas City Royals, at multiple beer stands around The K.

Additionally, every Tuesday home game doubles as Dollar Dog Night, where fans can buy a hot dog for $1. All purchases inside Kauffman Stadium are cashless, though ATMs are onsite.