In addition to writing this blog and analyzing the Royals players and team, I am a Royals Season Ticket Member.
My wife and I have had season tickets since 2022, but we originally had a ticket plan in the short-lived “Keep” section in 2021 (those seats were in the left field’s second level, right by the Miller Lite party section). Thus, we will be entering our fifth season when it comes to having a “ticket package” with the Royals.
While the main focus of this blog tends to be on analytical posts, I do like writing from a fan’s perspective, especially since I tend to go to about 20-30 games per year, depending on how the summer works out work-wise (despite the popular perception, I DO have to work in the summer as an educator). Thus, I wanted to have a section on this blog, “The Royals Fan Guide,” which can give a perspective on the Kauffman Stadium experience for visiting fans or current Royals fans looking to get more out of their time at the K.
Opening Day will be here before Royals fans know it, as pitchers and catchers report this week (the Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers reported today, as they will start their season early with an overseas series in Japan against the Dodgers).
With over a month until Opening Day at the K, some Royals fans may explore getting a package or season tickets for the 2025 season.
After all, excitement is high for the Royals after they went 86-76 last season, and Royals fans may want to not just watch multiple games this season at the K but get a package that will be a bit more manageable/predictable for the wallet. If the Royals continue to show this upward progression competitively, ticket prices on the secondary market will only increase.
Thus, in this first post of the “Royals Fan Guide,” I will explore all the ticket packages available for Royals fans and what makes sense for them this season based on their particular situations.
What’s the Difference Between Having a Ticket Package and Being an STM?
The Royals offer both “mini plans” and the ability to be a Season Ticket Member, or an “STM” for short. Even though both options allow fans to get tickets to multiple games at a discounted cost, there are plenty of benefits that an STM has that go beyond just tickets.
Below is a screenshot from their site’s Royals STM Benefits page that shows what fans would receive as STMs. As fans can see, it’s an extensive list of extras.
The benefits I have primarily used are the 15% discount on additional single-game purchases, the discounted parking passes, the live ticket exchange program, the unused season ticket redemption program, and the complimentary MLB.TV subscription (even though the Royals are blacked out, I still watch plenty of MLB games, and the Royals affiliates are also on MLB.TV). Discounted parking is my favorite feature, as reserved parking is $21 with fees, and general parking is $16. Usually, those cost $31 and $21 with fees.
The live ticket exchange program is nice when you know you’ll miss a game ahead of time. Oftentimes, there isn’t a price change as long as the game isn’t an “upgrade” one (i.e., you’re not trading Marlins tickets for Yankees ones). Some fees are attached when you make a transaction online, but if you email or call your STM representative, they will usually waive the fees.
The unused ticket exchange works similarly but is done after a fan misses a game. The only issue is that the games one can choose are predetermined, and I have often found that they conflict with the games on my current ticket package. Nonetheless, it’s great that fans can still make up a game they missed later in the year, even if they didn’t make that exchange ahead of time.
The team store and concessions discounts are nice, though fans can’t use their discount on alcohol, which is probably a good thing (though public drunkenness at Royals games isn’t nearly as bad as at Chiefs games).
Lastly, another added benefit is that STMs get a certain number of promo coupons they can use to get a giveaway from a previous night, perhaps (if they have leftovers). Some aren’t available (the Patrick Mahomes bobblehead being one). However, I have always exhausted my promo coupons during the season, which can be utilized at STM guest services by the team store at Kauffman Stadium. STMs can also buy a guaranteed promo pack to secure all promos (mailed in) to themselves without waiting in line.
Speaking of lines, the STM entrance is also a nice way to avoid traffic on gameday, especially for those waiting close to the first pitch to get into the stadium.
What Are the Mini Packs?
For Royals fans who aren’t willing (or able) to make that STM commitment, there are mini-pack ticket packages where fans can get multiple tickets to Kauffman in a season at a discounted cost. These make more sense for fans buying tickets for themselves and no one else.
Unfortunately, they do not come with any STM benefits, but if you are an STM, you can use your benefits with these packages (which may be good if you’re looking to purchase additional games or seats).
Currently, only two kinds of mini-packs are available, though a third mini-pack, the Fountain Pass, should be available once games begin in March.
Below are my thoughts on each package.
Opening Day Plus 3 Pack
It’s a pretty basic package. This is probably better for casual fans who want to ensure they get seats on Opening Day and will likely go to a few more games during the season. The added benefit is that you save a bit on those three games (compared to buying them individually on the Royals site).
Pick 10 Pack
This is a solid package for those who want to attend more games but aren’t ready to commit to an STM package. You save 15% on the tickets, avoid fees, and get to choose whatever games you want (including high-end games like the Cardinals, Yankees, and Dodgers). The price tends to be pretty reasonable, with upper decks in the $150-175 range for all 10, depending on the games selected.
Fountain Pass
The Royals had a Christmas special for Fountain Passes that was $249.99 for the whole season, but it seems like that promotion has passed. Typically, the Fountain Pass is available for purchase each month for $79.99, and it is renewed each month until you cancel. I have gotten the Fountain Pass before for a few months and canceled it toward the end of the season once school starts (when I can go to fewer games).
As the description says, the Fountain Pass only guarantees entrance, not a seat. However, one can access the limited open seating sections in social areas such as Rivals Sports Bar and Craft and Draft. Furthermore, a bunch of seats are typically available in the upper decks. So, as long as fans don’t mind the nosebleeds, one can get a seat without much fuss from the ushers.
The only time that strategy wouldn’t work would be on those “prime” game nights, when the stadium may be packed. If using the Fountain Pass for a Cardinals or Yankees game, you may need to expect to be standing for most of the game. The Fountain Pass can be a nice supplement with an STM membership, especially for those who like to go to games on a whim and get discounted parking.
The Different Kinds of STM Membership
There are two types of STM Membership: the traditional and the flex. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Traditional Membership
There are three types of traditional membership: 81 games (full season), 41 games (half), and 20 games (partial). Opening Day is included in full and half-season membership, while it’s an additional cost with a partial-season membership. Your Royals STM representative can help ensure that Opening Day becomes a regularly scheduled part of your package.
With traditional packages, fans get a set schedule of games for their respective seats.
With full-season tickets, that’s all of them, so there’s no real issue here. However, for the half and partial, the Royals give fans different options, and you can choose which package works with your schedule. The only issue is that longer-tenured STMs get priority, so if you switch packages (especially for half and partial), you may not get your seat/section of choice. That’s why I haven’t changed my games package as a partial season ticket holder.
The traditional packages are suitable for those who may revolve their summer plans around Royals baseball, which my wife and I do. We find out the games, get those on our calendars, and plan other trips around that (to the best of our ability). It doesn’t work 100% of the time, but at least we can utilize the live ticket exchange or unused ticket program for missed games.
The main issue with this package is that there’s not a lot of flexibility in adding tickets or seats to existing games. So, a traditional package may be complex for large families, especially if family members are unsure about their Royals-attending schedule.
I would suggest that the full-season package may be nice for multiple families who may want to “split” games rather than buy numerous partial-season packages. I wouldn’t suggest purchasing a full-season package and then re-sell with the expectation of making a significant profit on them. First, MLB tickets aren’t as profitable as they once were, even when the teams are good, and re-selling a tremendous amount can prevent one from getting postseason priority (since you may be flagged as a “vendor,” which opens up other issues financially and tax-wise if you’re not prepared for it).
The Flex Membership
This is becoming more popular, especially for families with multiple members who want to go to games but aren’t willing to commit to a certain number.
With the “Fans Choice” pack, fans can purchase three different “levels” of membership: $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000 (they also will release a $1,000 version soon, but one can’t buy that for now). After you purchase your “amount,” you can utilize that however you wish.
You can get Opening Day tickets in section 412 for you and your spouse with the package. You can also purchase five seats in section 112 with your spouse and kids for a May game against the White Sox. There is unlimited ticket flexibility here as long as you don’t exhaust your membership “funds.” That said, fans can “add” to their funds if necessary, which is probably why they have added the “$1,000” membership model.
A family that my wife and I are friends with did this package last year and have been huge fans of it. They have grown adult kids, and before, they would get a traditional package, and their kids would buy a 10-pack. With this package, they have more flexibility on games and can utilize the STM benefits together (which wasn’t the case with how they used to do things).
The “Fan’s Choice” has fewer STM benefits than the traditional package (seen on the page I linked). That said, the flexibility is convenient, especially for those with busy summers outside of Royals baseball.
Which Package is for You?
Getting a ticket package, especially a Royals season ticket, is a unique practice. Even though the cost benefits fans who attend multiple games in a season, it requires a financial and time commitment. The last thing anyone would want to do is purchase an STM package and not utilize it to its full capacity. You’re essentially flushing money down the toilet at that point.
I suggest purchasing what is manageable for you in terms of your price range and schedule. A Pick-10 pack could be a nice entry to seeing more regular-season Royals games without making the STM commitment. If the Pick-10 was enjoyable and you wanted more, perhaps upgrading to an STM package the following season may be the right call.
Furthermore, also know what kind of Royals fan you are before purchasing.
Do you like going to the Royals games because they win? Or do you actually like the sport of baseball and enjoy the experience, regardless of the result? And are you willing to make the commute and carve out all the time necessary to not just watch a game but get to the stadium and leave, which can be unpredictable traffic-wise, depending on the opponent and day of the week?
If it’s the former, maybe being an STM isn’t for you, especially with how fickle Royals baseball seasons can be. While Royals fans have higher expectations, the division should be similar to last season, which was tough beside the White Sox.
If it’s the latter, then I would say jump on board. There won’t be a better investment you’ll make as a baseball fan, especially since the experience at Kauffman, regardless of the day or the opponent, can’t be beaten.