We finally made it over to Kauffman Stadium for an I-70 Series matchup between the Cardinals and Royals – hard to believe it took us this long! We joined a big crew of Cards and Royals fans (huge thanks to by brother Tim Schatz for organizing) and enjoyed our first-ever baseball tailgate, which turned out to be a blast – even with the drizzle and threat of a rainout. This marked our third visit to The K, having previously attended the 2012 All-Star Game and a Mariners matchup, and it continues to impress. Set just off I-70 in East Kansas City, Kauffman may lack a walkable urban setting, but it makes up for it with ample parking, a strong tailgating culture, and a safe, gated complex shared with Arrowhead. Inside, the stadium shines with its iconic outfield fountains, family-friendly play areas, and the eye-catching Crown Vision scoreboard – a vertical HD screen topped with a glowing golden crown. Concessions aren’t the main draw here, but that’s where tailgating and nearby KC BBQ come in handy. The atmosphere was fantastic – Royals fans were welcoming and good-natured, even as we cheered the Cards to a 6–1 victory. Overall, Kauffman Stadium delivers a well-rounded and memorable experience that’s absolutely worth the short trip for any St. Louis fan.

We assessed the ballpark Design, Location, Concessions, Amenities, and Culture and finished with a Summary and Scoring.

Design

The fountains and waterfalls are the most prominent feature of the stadium and truly are spectacular – especially at night. The fountains run before and after the game and between innings, while the waterfalls flow constantly. They line most of the outfield and create a scenic backdrop inside the stadium. Beyond the outfield wall, all there is to see is I-70, so the “water spectacular” is a welcome distraction. Another standout feature is the HD “Crown Vision” scoreboard. Its vertical layout and golden crown offer a distinctive and engaging way to follow the game. Thanks to renovations, you’d never guess the stadium dates back to 1973.

Location

The location of Kauffman Stadium isn’t ideal in terms of walkability or nightlife, as it sits off I-70 in East Kansas City, far from the downtown core. However, it does come with a few perks. The massive parking lot is perfect for tailgating, which was one of the highlights of our experience during the I-70 Series game. Its placement next to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium creates a lively sports complex atmosphere, especially on game days. The remote, gated setting also adds a sense of safety and space. The huge parking can be backed up for getting in and out so be prepared during popular I-70 Series games. While there are no restaurants or bars within walking distance, some of Kansas City’s top BBQ joints – like Joe’s, Jack Stack, and Arthur Bryant’s – are just a 15-minute drive away.

Concessions

The food inside the stadium leaves a lot to be desired, with had reports of moldy food at the time we went, raising concerns about quality and cleanliness. Fortunately, the strong tailgating culture gives fans the chance to eat and drink before heading in – an ideal way to avoid inflated ballpark prices. We did sample the loaded hot dogs, which were creative, but nothing particularly memorable.

Amenities

There’s a great family-friendly area in the outfield designed with kids in mind, making Kauffman one of the more accommodating ballparks for young fans. Highlights include a mini-stadium playground complete with baseball-themed climbing structures and slides, as well as a splash zone with fountains where kids can cool off and burn energy. The space is safely enclosed and gives parents a place to relax while still keeping an eye on the game thanks to nearby standing areas and picnic tables.

Culture

Both the Cards and Royals were off to phenomenal starts in 2015, leading their respective leagues in winning percentage and battling each other for the best record in baseball. With the Royals coming off a World Series appearance and the Cardinals fresh from an NLCS run in 2014, fans on both sides were dreaming of a potential 1985 World Series rematch. As Cardinals fans, we were genuinely excited to see the Royals thriving again, injecting new energy into the classic I-70 rivalry. To their credit, Royals fans were incredibly amiable, even as we showed up in force as a rowdy group of Redbird supporters. Despite our cheering – and even after a Cardinals win – they remained friendly, respectful, and at times, even congratulatory.

Summary & Scoring

Dates Visited: Sunday, May 24, 2015 (All-Star Game – July, 10 2012; Mariners vs. Royals – June 22, 2014)
Games Played:

• I-70 Series: Cardinals 6, Royals 1. WP Wacha. Wacha becomes the first pitcher in the NL to reach 7 wins. The Cards prevented a sweep in this drizzly game. It was a great team effort with most players contributing hits. Carpenter had a nice two-run homer to put the Cards up 4-1. Box Score
• 2012 All-Star Game: NL 8, AL 0. WP Cain. The AL’s starting pitcher, Verlander, gave up 5 runs in the first and the NL cruised to victory. Box Score
• Mariners Game: Mariners 2, Royals 1. WP Elias. Box Score

Design:  – The fountains are stunning and help offset the bleak I-70 view. The vertical Crown Vision scoreboard is a unique touch.
Location: – Set in the Truman Sports Complex next to Arrowhead, it’s isolated with nothing walkable nearby. The huge lot is great for tailgating but can get backed up.
Concessions: – We tailgated, and with KC BBQ so close, it’s hard to justify high prices – especially with food quality concerns.
Amenities: – One of the most family-friendly parks with an excellent kids’ play area and splash fountains.
Culture: – Royals fans were welcoming, even to our large group of Cards fans. There were tons of people tailgating with mixtures of Cards/Royals fans in the same groups. The I-70 rivalry felt spirited but friendly.
Overall: – “The K” is visually impressive, with its spectacular fountains and distinctive Crown Vision HD scoreboard, and stands out as one of the most family-friendly ballparks. It’s also a prime spot for tailgating, especially during the spirited I-70 rivalry. However, the remote location and absence of skyline views detract from the overall experience.

Other Pictures

Our first trip to Kauffman Stadium was actually the 2012 All-Star game (before we started this blog).

We also went to a Mariners game for Bark at the Park Day with Scott’s family. Scott’s dad just couldn’t get enough puppy love 🤪

We all got baseballs from King Felix!