KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Soccer and baseball collide at Truman Sports Complex next weekend when the Royals face the Cardinals in the “I-70 series” starting June 18.
That Saturday, Arrowhead will host its second World Cup match. A couple of soccer teams playing in the World Cup are also expected to attend Royals games.
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Team Netherlands arrives at Kansas City’s downtown airport Tuesday for World Cup
The Royals will play ball at “The K” during the World Cup tournament. Large tents and gates are set up outside Arrowhead, impacting parking for baseball fans.
“We’re losing some spots, there’s no doubt about that, for hospitality, media, the World Cup, but we should have plenty of parking for the baseball games,” Sam Mellinger said.
Mellinger is the Kansas City Royals VP of Communications and Broadcast. He said they typically have about 18,000 parking spots available to baseball fans. That number will be cut in half during the World Cup.
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“We’ll have about 9,000 spots available on our game days. Truthfully, we rarely use that many. We’re talking about opening day, playoffs, that kind of thing,” Mellinger said. “You might have to park right next to a car. In the past, maybe you had your own row, or you had three spots around you, but there should be plenty of parking for fans, as well.”
The Royals play 13 games at home during the World Cup tournament, but never on a match day at Arrowhead.
Mellinger said FIFA is leading the charge on changes in the parking lot.
“Some of the signage in the parking lots will change, FIFA requirements, but for the most part, especially fans that are familiar coming to games and getting in and out…we’re hopeful that it’s as seamless as possible,” Mellinger said.
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If you need a ride to ‘The K’ on game day, you can take ConnectKC26 ‘Region direct’. It’s the bus service that connects Kauffman Stadium to FIFA Fan Fest and the Independence Center.
Buses will drop you off in Lot L. Day passes are $5 and 7-day passes are $25.
“They’ll be running on our game days, and we’re really excited about that,” Mellinger said. “It’s from two hours before the first pitch and an hour after the last out.”
A couple days before team Ecuador takes the pitch at Arrowhead Stadium, the soccer team plan to catch a Royals game.
Team England will also attend a Royals game on June 21st.
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“What do you have planned for those teams, maybe throwing out the first pitch?” Regan said.
“Absolutely, maybe a first kick,” Mellinger said.
He said they’re excited and prepared to welcome first time fans.
“When you think about the World Cup, this might be the only time they come to Kansas City, this may be the only chance they get to watch a Major League Baseball game,” Mellinger said. “When they walk away from a stadium, leaving Kansas City, we want them to experience something they’re going to remember.”
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