Seating at Kauffman Stadium
The great thing about catching a game at Kauffman Stadium is there’s a seat for every type of fan. Kauffman has a range of price points and experiences, from plush seats in climate controlled clubs to benches with in-seat wait service. And, while sitting in the Upper Bowl at Kauffman is not the best place to catch a game, we’ve sat in far, far worse seats at other stadiums.
We could just tell you the obvious: purchase a premium seat behind home plate, but there’s more to the ballpark experience than that. So, join us as we explore the bigger questions you will have when selecting your perfect seats at Kauffman Stadium:
- Are there any “high value seats” that aren’t obvious?
- Are there any club seats/premium tickets that are worth considering?
- Are there any seats/sections that should be avoided?
Whether you’re a hometown fan trying to decide where to sit, or you’re traveling to KC to cheer on your team while they’re on the road, or you’re chasing ballparks and need to check Kauffman off your list, The Stadium Insiders has all the information you need to make an informed decision before you purchase tickets.
Premium Seating
100-400 Level Reserved Seats
Bars and SRO Areas
Table of Contents
- Kauffman Stadium Seating Overview
- Lower Bowl – 100 Level Seats – Field Level & 200 Level Seats – Plaza Level
- Lower Bowl Field Level Seats
- Lower Bowl Plaza Level Seats
- General Admission Section
- Home Run Boxes
- Fountain Seats
- Lower Bowl Premium Seating
- Lower Bowl Outfield Specialty Seating
- Qwiktrip Fountain Deck
- Rivals Sports Bar
- Blue Moon Taproom
- Miller Lite Fountain Bar Deck
- Price Chopper Patio
- 300 Level Seating
- 400 Level Seating
Our favorite seats
Sections 221-223
An elevated view of the field with access to all of the main concourse concessions. For sun, select seats in the front half of these sections. For shade, pick the back half.
Crown Club
It needs a facelift, but the food is delicious, you get into the stadium before anyone else, and you cannot beat the view from behind home plate.
Rivals Sports Bar Ticketed Railing Seats
You’re close to the fountains, but you can still see the jumbotron, and it’s the best of all worlds: live ballgame, shade, AND sports bar!
Diamond Club MVP Seats
Super comfy chairs and an uninterrupted view of the home plate and Crown Vision. Did we mention they’re covered? A top choice for a game in April or August if it’s in the budget.
Our least favorite seats
The Fountain Seats
We feel disengaged from the game here. These seats lack the exciting atmosphere of the lower bowl and unfortunately have no view of the scoreboard.
The 400 Level
The atmosphere, access to concessions, and views are just so much better in the lower bowl. If cost is an issue, at least stick to the lowest Rows (A-E).
Kauffman Stadium Seating Overview
Kauffman Stadium has three levels of seating: the Lower Bowl (100 Field and 200 Plaza levels), the 300 Loge Level, and the upper bowl (400 View Level). The Lower Bowl and Loge Levels have suites, social areas, special group areas, and general seating, while the Upper Bowl only has regular stadium seating. As we go through each level, we will offer tips on where your best chances to stay shaded and dry are, as well as other perks unique to the area.
Lower Bowl – 100 Field Level & 200 Plaza Level General Seating
If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium, the Lower Bowl is the place to sit. It contains two levels: the Field Level (100s) and the Plaza Level (200s) separated by a concrete walkway. It’s important to note that the 100 and 200 Level sections share the lower concourse, so they have direct access to the same exact food and beverage options. Unlike at other stadiums where the 200 Level seating would be its own “level,” at Kauffman the 100s and 200s are all part of the lower seating bowl.
The Royals seating chart breaks the various seating areas into way too many different categories that don’t mean anything. Here’s what you need to know to make your ticket buying decision.
Lower Bowl – Field Level Seating (107-110, 112-125 and 130-148)
The views from the 100 Level sections are fantastic. Sitting down here gives you the full baseball experience and you really feel like you’re a part of the game. But plan on having no protection from the sun, wind, or rain in the Field Level, so pack your sunscreen and dress in layers if you’re here in April.
While the Royals seating chart breaks up these non-premium seats from the left field corner to the right field corner into six different categories, those categories don’t mean anything, except if you’re buying tickets directly from the Royals website: in that case, they represent different price categories. But in terms of seat quality, the only difference between all of these seats is how far they are from home plate, and how far they are from the field. So whether you’re shopping on Stubhub or Seatgeek et al, or buying from the Royals directly, you should be looking for the best seats that meet your location and price interests, while ignoring any labels like “Dugout Box” or “Inner Field Box”… they don’t matter.
Lower Bowl – Plaza Level Seating (Sections 206-252, except 211)
Sections in the 200s make up the Plaza Level at Kauffman Stadium. If you have never attended a game at Kauffman, it would be easy to think that the Field and Plaza Levels would be different floors of the ballpark. So let’s make it abundantly clear that the Plaza Level is still in the Lower Bowl, just further from the field, making it a great place to enjoy a game, often at a lower price point. To further clarity, the last row of the 200 Level Plaza seats in the infield is TT, which is about 40 rows from the field, which is consistent with the distance from the field to the last row of the 100 Level in most MLB ballparks.
A concrete walkway separates the Field and Plaza Levels, and the back of each Plaza section backs up to the covered main concourse, which means sitting here puts you closer to the lower level concessions stands than the 100 Level seats are. So if you’re someone who gets up a lot for food and beverages, the 200 Level seats may be more convenient for you than the 100 Level seats.
Notes on the 200 Level Plaza seats
Sections 223-225 regularly experience shade ahead of the rest of the stadium in the summer, and keep you out of the worst of the wind in the spring.
The corner seats in Sections 206-210 and 245-249 are too far away from the field. If you buy your tickets closer to game day, you’ll likely pay a similar price for better seats in the lower bowl.
Special Note: Sections 111 & 211 are General Admission
The only exception you need to know about are that Sections 111 & 211 are General Admission sections, which is really bizarre. Most stadiums put GA areas in the outfield or upstairs, but the Royals stuck these right in the middle of left field. Tickets here cost up to 40% less than other comparably located seats (if you’re buying them directly from the Royals), but plan to come early if you have a group that wants to sit together. If GA is your thing, then this is actually a chance to have a much better GA seat than you’ll get in most other stadiums, so we say go for it.
Home Run Boxes (Sections 101-106 and 150-152)
Seats in the outfield (facing home plate) are called Home Run Boxes. This includes sections 150-152 directly behind the Royals’ bullpen and sections 104-106 behind the visitor’s bullpen, as well as sections 101-103, which are called the Sonic Slam Sections. If there’s a particular set up or closing pitcher you enjoy, sitting here will give you a good view of them warming up, especially if you sit in the first rows of these sections.
The Sonic Slam Section gets its name because if a Royals player hits a home run into these seats, then everyone in the section gets a free slushie from any area Sonic the following day (but note: Kauffman isn’t exactly a hitter’s ballpark, so let’s just say that Sonic isn’t giving away a billion free slushies).
Fountain Seats (Sections 201-203)
Located in the outfield behind Kauffman’s iconic water fixtures, the Fountain Seats are a good option if you plan to spend the game checking out the rest of the stadium as you have easy access to the Outfield Experience and all it has to offer. It’s important to note, some seats in sections 201-202 do not have a view of the jumbotron. If you want to sit here, but want to guarantee a view of the scoreboard, stick to section 203. Also, keep in mind that depending on which way the wind is blowing, you may get hit with mist blowing off the fountains, which is great in August, but not so desirable in April.
A word to the parents out there: this Stadium Insider thought sitting here would be ideal thanks to its proximity to the Outfield Experience and all that it has to offer kids. However, we learned the hard way that these sections remove you too far from the action to keep your kids interested for long.
CommunityAmerica Crown Club (Sections 1-6)
The CommunityAmerica Crown Club is as close as you can get to the action at home plate. If you like to see and HEAR the umpire call each ball and strike, sit here.
Sections 1 and 6 are right next to the visiting and home dugouts (respectively), and are literally next to where the players enter and exit the field. It’s not unusual for balls discarded by the umpire to be tossed/handed to fans in these seats if that’s something that interests you.
Crown Club tickets also allow you to use a special entrance (Gate C) and to access the stadium before anyone else, which for weekend games is two hours prior to first pitch. And you will want to get there early, as Crown Club seats give you access to the private CommunityAmerica Crown Club located below the boxes. There you can enjoy an all-inclusive buffet (steak, seafood, poultry, grilled vegetables, etc.) as well as a hot dog bar, snacks, dessert station, non alcoholic beverages, water, and access to a full bar before and during the game. (Yes, alcohol is included in your ticket!) The indoor portion of the Crown Club has plush seating at tables and booths, its own bathrooms, and flat screens so you don’t miss a moment of the game.
Compared to some of the newer MLB stadiums, the Crown Club at Kauffman may feel underwhelming. But despite that, we’d recommend that Royals fans treat themselves to one game here at some point in their fandom if they can afford it (and if you keep an eye on these tickets on ticket resale sites close to game time, they will sometimes fall in price and become quite affordable, especially for lower demand games during the week). And visitors should consider this option as a way to experience the magic of The K up close and personal.
Diamond Club
The Diamond Club has both indoor and outdoor components, with a variety of seating arrangements. All Diamond Club tickets give you access to the indoor area of the Diamond Club, which has food and beverage for sale (but nothing included with your ticket), as well as a pool table and open places to sit.
If you’ve never experienced the Diamond Club before, it can be overwhelming to decide which seats will work best for you, as they offer SIX different seating types on their seating chart, but it’s really just four different seating options: two inside, two outside. See below for a detailed breakdown.
Outdoor Diamond Club Seats (Sections 126-129)
The Diamond Club options outside that put you almost closest to the field are called “Diamond Club” in Sections 126-129. The first few rows are labeled “Front Diamond Club” on the Royals seating chart, but ignore that; these are literally the same as the rest of the Diamond Club seats in these sections, they just charge you more for the lower rows. All of these Diamond Club seats have fantastic views from behind home plate, and you have in-seat wait service so you do not need to hike all the way up to the Diamond Club lounge area if you need anything. But note: these seats don’t include anything other than your seat and access to the indoor Diamond Club. Anything you order from your server or inside of the Club will cost whatever the menu price is.
Outdoor Diamond Club Boxes (Sections A-F)
The other option for outdoor seating in the Diamond Club is what the Royals call Diamond Club Boxes, Sections A through F. Each “box” has a counter with four chairs. The first row of boxes sits above the concrete walkway that divides the Lower Bowl of Kauffman Stadium, and the final row of boxes backs up to the indoor portion of the Diamond Club.
When purchasing these seats from the Royals, you will need to purchase all four table seats as part of one order — they won’t allow you to buy single seats. It’s possible that you may find single seats available on resale sites.
Regardless of whether you buy them from the Royals or a resale site, all of these seats include a $20 food/beverage credit (even if your resale site doesn’t specifically say so), so make sure to factor that into your purchasing decision when looking at prices.
Note: regular ticketed fans cannot pass through the walkway in the Diamond Club area, so the only foot traffic here is from other Diamond Club ticket holders. Therefore there’s not a lot of people walking past you if you sit in the front row of the Diamond Club Boxes.
Indoor Diamond Club MVP Seats
If you choose to sit inside the Diamond Club, there are two different options for seating, and both include a $20 food and beverage credit per ticket (again, this credit is included whether you purchase the ticket directly from the team or via a resale site). The Front Diamond Club MVP and Diamond Club MVP seats are plush reclining chairs with USB charging ports. (Once again, the “Front” literally means the first row of this section, which they charge more for. Other than that, these seats are all the same.) The are located behind sections C-D.
These seats are considered to be “indoor” because they are inside of the Club, and covered. But the windows to the Club will be opened before the game, so it may be best to describe these as “covered, but open-air.”
All of these seats include a $20 per seat food and beverage credit, regardless of whether you purchased them through the Royals or a resale site.
Indoor Diamond Club Tables
The Diamond Club Tables are located indoors on either side of the Diamond Club MVP seating (behind sections A-B and E-F), with four seats to a table. The actual seats in this section are a step up from regular stadium seats, but are nowhere near as comfortable as the MVP seats. Once again, you have to purchase all four seats at a table if purchasing these through the Royals, but you may be able to find single seats on resale sites.
As with the Diamond Club MVP seats next to them, these tables are considered to be “indoor” because they are inside of the Club, and covered. But the windows to the Club will be opened before the game, so it may be best to describe these as “covered, but open-air.”
All of these seats include a $20 per seat food and beverage credit, regardless of whether you purchased them through the Royals or a resale site.
Lower Bowl – Outfield Specialty Areas
The outfield at Kauffman Stadium does not have a lot of individual game seats. It does, however, house the Outfield Experience and Rivals Sports Bar, as well as various rentable areas for larger groups, including the Miller Lite Fountain Bar Deck, the Pepsi Party Porch, the Price Chopper Patio, and the Blue Moon Taproom. But pay attention, because on some gamedays, these areas may be available to you at no extra cost.
Quiktrip Fountain Deck
Located in right center field, between the fountains and the outfield, the Quiktrip Fountain Deck (formerly Pepsi Patio) is accessed via a set of stairs next to the Price Chopper Patio. If the right fielder is your favorite player and you have a large group, this is the place to rent out. It consists of a tent that offers all you can eat food and drinks through the 7th inning, as well as rail seating and flat screens. Outside of the tent you can stand and enjoy the game above the right field wall.
If the deck is not rented out to a group, you can purchase individual or small group tickets here, and they will include basic ballpark food (hot dogs, nachos, appetizers, soft drinks, beer, and hard selzters).
Rivals Sports Bar
Located in right field next to Gate E, Rivals Sports Bar is both a bar where anyone can hang out before/during the game, and also a seating area with ticketed/reserved seats.
For the ticketed part, Rivals has two rows of railing seats (each with a completely clear view of the field), as well as reservable tables behind those (note: for a table you must purchase all four seats at the table). Tickets for both of these seating options come loaded with a $20 food and beverage credit, and both include wait service.
Anybody can hang out in the bar area of Rivals, which features a wall of flat screens, which come in handy when football season starts and you want to keep tabs on your favorite team.
Blue Moon Taproom
Located above the Rivals Sports Bar in right field sits the Blue Moon Taproom. This area also has flat screens, high-top seating on the rail looking over the field, a bar, and access to food and other drinks from the Rivals Sports Bar below. This Stadium Insider enjoys the views from this slightly elevated space in the outfield, as you have a great view of home plate with the entire stadium behind it, as well as uninterrupted views of Crown Vision and the fountains. This is a space that is often rented out to groups, but if not, it will sometimes be open for general ticket holders to come check out.
Miller Lite Fountain Bar Deck
Located in left center field, the Miller Lite Fountain Bar Deck is a covered patio space located between the backside of the Miller Lite Fountain Bar and the outfield. It has round high top tables and chairs, flat screen TVs, and food and drink options included in the rental. You can still see the Crown Vision jumbotron from here and have a view of the fountains as well. This area has no walls, so while it has a roof, do not expect it to shield you from the elements entirely.
If the bar deck is not rented out for a particular game, fans can hang out there during the game. Regardless of whether the Bar Deck area is rented out, you can purchase tickets for seats adjacent to the area in the Miller Lite Rail seats. These are a single row of moveable wooden/metal chairs with a wooden bar top rail in front.
Price Chopper Patio
If you’re not familiar with Kansas City, Price Chopper is one of the local grocery chains here. Located in right field, the Price Chopper Patio has flat screen TVs, and high-top chairs lining the railing looking over the fountains with a great view of the field. It’s covered but do not expect full protection from the elements.
The Royals first make this space available to companies and groups, but if it’s not rented out, then it will usually be open for all fans as a general admission area. And if that’s the case, then it’s a nice place to watch the game from, if you’re ok with sitting in the outfield. If you’ve purchased an upper level or other cheap ticket far away from home plate, we’d suggest walking over here right when the gates open to see if these seats are available. If so, plop yourself down and stake your claim!
Loge Level: 300 Level Seating
Although it’s the 300 Level of the stadium, it’s the second “floor,” above the 100/200 Level concourse. Seating options here include various suites, two reservable lounges, and the Boulevard Craft and Draft area, as well as regular ticketed seating.
We think the atmosphere and views from the lower bowl (100 and 200 Levels) at Kauffman Stadium provide a superior baseball experience over what the Loge Level has to offer. That said, if someone in your party needs protection from the elements for whatever reason, the Loge Level is your safest bet to stay dry or out of the sun.
Keep in mind though, the Plaza Level has seats with shade and rain protection that put you closer to all the food/beverage options of the main concourse, and still in the atmosphere of the lower bowl. The Loge Level has some unique food and beverage options, but nothing compared to the main concourse.
Loge Level General Seating: Sections 305-325
The Loge Level, or 300 Level, of Kauffman Stadium is where you will find most of the suites. But in front of the suites you will find five to eight rows (depending on section) of regular stadium seating. The 400 View Level above covers these sections, offering pretty solid protection from the elements. Plus, with these sections having so few rows, it’s a short walk up to the concourse for restrooms, food, and beverages. If you’re someone who prefers fewer steps, the Loge Level would be a good choice.
Loge Level – Specialty Areas
Boulevard Craft and Draft, and Sections 301-302
The Boulevard Craft and Draft area sits in the left field corner of the Loge Level. The general admission bar is past section 301, while the ticketed seats are in Sections 301-302.
Any ticket holder can access the Craft and Draft bar area. They have 20 craft beers on tap and 50 bottled options to choose from, so it’s a great place if you’re looking to sample some different local beers without wandering the concourse looking for them.
We enjoy the pizza there from Custom Crust and it’s a fun place to catch an inning or two, especially if you need a break from the elements. Also, they have a Royals crown-shaped charging shelf that I have used many times when I show up to a game with low battery, so you can hang out there and have a beer (or two) while your phone charges up.
Ticketed seating in the Craft and Draft is located in sections 301-302. Benefits of purchasing a seat in the Craft and Draft area are the in-seat food and beverage service, the protection from the elements, and having a bar-like space to watch the game while also socializing.
There are three types of seats available here, all of which come with a $20 loaded value per ticket.
Craft and Draft Seats
Consisting of three rows of assigned seats (Rows A, C, and E), each with a bar rail, these tickets come with in-seat service, and like other Craft and Draft seats, a good view of the field.
Craft and Draft Tables
Right behind the Craft and Draft Seats, the Tables (Rows B and D) also offer in-seat service and assigned seat, but come with a high-top table for two, both of which must be purchased to sit here.
Craft and Draft Benches
Like the Seats and Tables, the Benches come with a similarly good view and in-seat service, but are not assigned—and you don’t need to reserve the entire bench to purchase a seat here.
Notes on the 300 Level
Seats in Sections 301-311 are covered and on the west side of the stadium, which means you’ll be protected from wind, sun and rain most of the time.
If given a choice, we’d prefer to sit in the 100 or 200 Level rather than the 300 Level (with the exception of Craft and Draft, which is a unique area that is rather enjoyable). There are simply more food choices downstairs than there are in the 300 Level concourse. And if you’re looking for shade or protection from the elements, the back half of the rows in the 200 Level will provide that. Having said that, the shaded rows of the 200 Level can be a little darker, while the 300 Level seats feel a bit more airy, even though they’re still protected by the View Level above. It’s a judgment call.
View Level: 400 Level Seats
Let us start out by reminding you, we don’t recommend sitting up high at Kauffman Stadium. Usually, you can find tickets on the secondary market in the lower bowl for a good deal. You will enjoy the atmosphere and view so much more down there that it makes it worth an extra cost.
For the most part, the only unique feature of the View Level is the Boulevard Brewing Co. Beer Garden. This area sits behind section 420, and features a bar, corn hole, picnic tables, adirondack chairs, and an open area smoking/vaping section. It also has a nice, elevated view of Arrowhead Stadium, if you’re looking for one.
If you do decide to sit up high at Kauffman, the seating chart lists View Box, View Reserved, and View Outfield seats as your options, but there’s no difference between any of these other than how high/low they are, or how far they are from being behind home plate. Just know that the rows start at A, and run through ZZ at the top. And while we consider ZZ Top to be an excellent band, we consider ZZ at the top to be a really horrible seat.
Simply put, we would rather sit in pretty much any 100, 200, or 300 Level seat than sit in the 400 Level.
Some notes about the 400 Level
The rows get pretty steep up here (see the image gallery above). We don’t recommend them for anyone with trouble getting around, with young kids, or a fear of heights. Honestly, unless it’s playoff baseball, we don’t recommend anyone sitting here.
While there are plenty of concession stands up here, many of them will be closed for low-attendance games, so your options may be limited. So while you can certainly walk to the lower level for some better food options, it’s a long haul and, in our opinion, a terrible use of valuable ballpark time.
Bottom Line: Where we’d sit
If price is not an issue, take in a game from the Crown Club, or try out one of the many seating options for the Diamond Club. You get to enter the stadium earlier than everyone else, allowing you to experience everything Kauffman has to offer.
For non-premium, grab seats on either side of home plate in the Field Level (think sections 122-125 or 130-135) or the Inner Dugout sections on the Plaza Level. Honestly, anywhere in the lower bowl will offer an enjoyable atmosphere and good views of the field and the stadium.
If you want to take in the game from the outfield, we enjoy Rivals Sports Bar in right field. Purchase ticketed railing seats for uninterrupted views of the field. Or sit wherever you want in the stadium, and head over to Rivals whenever you want to enjoy the atmosphere in the open bar area.
If you’re looking for shade, sit toward the back of the Plaza Level. Sections between home plate and the visiting dugout offer the most shade in the summer months. Any seats on the Loge Level (300) will keep you (mostly) out of the elements, if that’s important to you.
The Stadium Insiders recommend avoiding the upper bowl as you can find good prices on the lower bowl seats on the secondary market, especially on game day. The atmosphere, and access to food and entertainment is so much better down there. If you do choose to sit up high, stick to the first few rows behind home plate (in or near section 420).
