If you’re a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, your team is traveling to Kansas City, or you’re just a fan of Patrick Mahomes – a game day at Arrowhead Stadium will not disappoint. If you’re hoping to catch a game at their home stadium, read along for everything you need for a successful Kansas City Chiefs Tailgating experience!
Before Game Day!
So, you’ve decided to make the trip out to Kansas City this fall, what next? Here are some key things to consider to ensure you have a flawless game day experience.
Accommodations, Transportation, Travel
Step one – book your flights! This influences all the following steps. Fun tip – if you search for flights in incognito mode, you’ll see better prices.
Gameday weekends can be busy, so locking in your ideal flight times is nice to do in advance.
When thinking about accommodations, one thing to be aware of is that Arrowhead Stadium is a ~15-minute drive (without traffic) from downtown Kansas City and a ~40-minute drive from the airport. This isn’t a stadium that’s in the heart of the city where you can book any hotel and practically be within walking distance.
If you’re looking to be a bit of a tourist for the weekend and fly in early on Thursday or Friday, I’d recommend staying more central and in the downtown area. However, if you’re just looking to hop in for the game and hop out after, a hotel or Airbnb near the stadium (or even the airport) might be better. Up to you! However, I wanted to point the location out.
If you’re interested in staying near the stadium, check out Hotels.com, or Airbnb since the stadium is surrounded by a neighborhood. Or if you’d like to stay more central, check out this TripAdvisor list of the Best Hotels in Kansas City, Mo. Pro tip – if you’re hosting a tailgate or want to prepare things for a tailgate you’re joining, go the Airbnb route so you have a kitchen!
Another aspect of pre-bookings you want to consider is transportation. Depending on your plans for the weekend, it may be nice to book a rental car for the few days you’re in town. If you’re hoping to host a tailgate, I would encourage you to do this, so you have a way to get groceries and transport everything you need to the stadium on game day.
Game Tickets
These games are some of the most popular games nationwide to attend, so get your tickets and parking passes early! And be ready for some decent price tags.
For all things game tickets, parking passes – check out chiefs.com! You can also reach the ticketing office via 888-992-4433 or [email protected].
If you’re not happy with the options there, you can also check third-party sites like StubHub or Vivid Seats to check for season pass holders selling off tickets for your game day.
Pre-Game Experience
Parking Information
If you’re looking to drive and tailgate near the stadium, be sure to purchase your parking passes ahead of time here. This site also includes information for Bus/RV parking, rideshare details, bus information, and other ways to get to the stadium on game day.
Once you’ve purchased your pass, check out this site that will help you chart the best path into the stadium to get to your specific parking lot. Super cool feature the Chiefs put together for fans!
Kansas City Chiefs Tailgating
As found on the Chiefs website:
Tailgating at Arrowhead Stadium is a long-standing tradition and, except as provided below, is permitted in all parking lots at the Truman Sports Complex. Before arriving, please review the Tailgating Regulations which include:
- Parking spaces may not be used for tailgate equipment alone. Click here to view an example of approved tailgating.
- Maintaining an aisle that is clear of tailgate equipment to accommodate emergency vehicles is imperative for maintaining a safe environment. Your total tailgate (including guests) is limited to eight (8) feet behind each parking space.
- Parking is for ticketed guests only, and the club reserves the right to confirm that guests have tickets before allowing them into parking lots.
- All guests should maintain social distancing and tailgate with their ticketed party or “pod”.
- Masks are recommended for all guests while in parking lots.
- All tailgating in stadium-controlled parking lots is prohibited throughout the game.
- Offensive signs, banners, or other displays, including the Confederate Flag, are prohibited.
- Tailgate-free parking will be available in lots B & H.
If you need some tailgate menu inspiration, check out some of our other Tailgate Recipe Blogs here!
For more details, check out the Chiefs Fan Code of Conduct.
Tailgate Events
If you’re not looking to host your own tailgate or join a friend’s, here are some alternative pre-game options at Arrowhead Stadium.
#1 – Arrowhead Tailgate Suites
- Premium private tailgate space for a minimum of 20 guests
- Includes fully catered buffet with a choice of menu options
- Also includes a tent, table, chairs, restrooms, two parking passes, and visits from KC Wolf and Chiefs Cheerleaders
- For more info, click here.
#2 – STM Kickoff Countdown
- Hospitality tent inside the stadium gates exclusive to Season Ticket Members
- Includes complimentary snacks, beverages, appearances, music, and a photo booth
- Begins at 10:00 AM before each home game
- For more info, click here
#3 – Ford Tailgate District
- Tailgate space is open to the public and located just outside of Arrowhead on the Founder’s Plaza
- Includes drink specials, live entertainment, tailgate games, food trucks, Chiefs Cheerleaders, and more
- Opens four hours before kick-off before each game and offers fun for all ages
- For more info, click here
#4 – Prime Sports Official Chiefs Tailgate
- Located inside the Pavilion at Arrowhead Stadium
- Includes all-you-can-eat catering spread, 2 drink tickets, and pregame television coverage
- It opens 3.5 hours before kickoff at every home game
- For more info, click here
Kansas City Chiefs GEAR
If you’re heading to a Chiefs game this fall – you’re probably in need of some new tailgate gear. Let’s be honest, all of ours have been sitting in storage for quite a while at this point.
If you’re looking to start repping your team asap, this is a great ’47 brand hat from Amazon for only $25. Linked here.
Or if you’re a fan who loves to travel to away games, Amazon also has a great travel duffle.
If your chairs need an upgrade, this is a great 3-piece set that comes with a table! Table space is so nice at tailgates. This set can make a great addition to your game-day gear.
And no tailgate or homegate is complete without a cornhole set. For $85, this cornhole set is a steal. You can find it linked here.
If you have any new quarantine babies that have joined your family or friend group, this is an ADORABLE way to get them brainwashed to love the Chiefs! You can find it on Fanatics, here.
If you need additional clothing – Fanatics is my go-to for attire, accessories, etc. for game days.
What Not to Miss in Kansas City
If you’re not from Kansas City and have some extra time to explore the city while you’re in town, check out this list of fun things to do:
#1: Joe’s Kansas City BBQ – this is a SUPER common rec from locals. We’d recommend going to the location on 47th. It’s a super cool location and used to be a gas station. Yes, there will be a line, but good things come to those that wait, am I right? Order the Z-Man, fries, and a half-rack of ribs to split with a friend. Thank me later!
#2: Boulevard Brewery – I’m always a fan of brewery tours. This brewery has a 45-minute tour where you learn about the history of the native Kansas City company and Boulevard’s brewing process. It starts and ends with a beer, what more could you need?! If you’re lucky you’ll be visiting on a weekend that Boulevard is hosting a big block party type event with music.
#3: City Market – this has been a Kansas City staple since 1857 – you read that right! You’ll find local produce, hipster goods, restaurants, and cafes. During the summer, early fall, there’s quite an extensive events calendar with live music. Be sure to check it out before your weekend trip!
Wrap Up
Let us know if you have any questions about planning a weekend to Kansas City, our team would be happy to help! Or if you have any tips, or things to add to this blog, let us know in the comments below! We love tailgaters helping fellow tailgaters.
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Tailgate On!
Team Tailgaters
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