Opening Day at Kauffman Stadium is eight days away, but it feels like it will be here before we know it. In my opinion, Opening Day at the K is a Kansas City event that cannot be matched. It’s better than Opening weekend for the Chiefs, KC Current, Sporting KC, the Big 12 Tournament, or any celebratory parade (including the St. Patrick’s Day one, and I’m part Irish).
In my first post of the Royals Fan Guide, I discussed the different season ticket packages for the upcoming season. This second post will share my Top 10 seating sections at the K for fans. For context, a map of Kauffman Stadium includes all the seating sections available, which are shown below.
As a disclaimer, I do not cover every section in this post, and I omit the more high-end options, such as the Diamond Club and Crown Club. It’s not that those sections aren’t lovely and fun to sit in (I was able to go to my first game in the Diamond Club last year). Still, you typically need to go to the secondary market for those tickets, and I wanted to cover sections that are usually freely available on the Royals tickets website.
Since this blog is for the hardcore Royals baseball fan, I wanted these posts to be for fans who love Royals baseball but appreciate value and bang for the buck. After all, going to a Royals baseball game at Kauffman Stadium should be about enjoying the product on the field, and these seats, in my opinion, help maximize that experience.
1st: View Box
Ticket price: $23-27
These are where my season tickets are; honestly, these seats can’t be beaten for the passionate baseball fan. You get a broad view of the field where everything can be seen clearly. You also get a good sense of how balls are hit, and you can tell which balls are staying in the park and which ones will be going out (plus, you have a clear view of the Crown Vision board to see the exit velocity easily).
The view box sections tend to be smaller, which means you get less traffic going up and down the aisles and fewer distractions or people getting in the way of your view. You also get easy access to the concourse, where you can grab a quick bite, drink, or use the restroom in between innings and not miss much of the action.
Also, ushers tend to be more experienced working in these sections. Thus, fans get workers who don’t allow nonsense (it isn’t enjoyable when people don’t sit in the right seats and act righteous about it when the usher asks them to go to their seats) but are still friendly and maximize the viewing and gameday experience. We have had two different ushers in our section since being season ticket holders in this section since 2022 (we were in a different section in 2021), and they have been amazing people who have made us and everyone in our section feel welcome, regardless if they are STM or not.
2nd: View Reserved
Ticket price: $21-25
The view reserved section is the section above, and it gets high marks because the view is the second-best in the ballpark (the same as the view box, but just higher up). There’s more walking up involved, people travel more up and down, and you’re a bit further away from the concourse than the view box. However, the view and value (typically the second-cheapest seats in the house) make it worthwhile for the hardcore baseball fan.
Since the Royals do not have a “bleachers” section, these seats tend to be akin to that in both value and fan experience. Things tend to get a bit rowdier here, and it’s common to see opposing fans in this section (though not as much as the third-base dugout lower-level side; unsurprisingly, that section is not on this list). If you have a tolerance for walking and dealing with that kind of experience, this section is a great buy.
3rd: View Outfield
Ticket price: $20-24
This is the cheapest season in Kauffman (other than a standing-room-only ticket). If you have a Fountain Pass, you can find a seat in this stadium section, and ushers and fans won’t make a fuss (unless it’s Opening Day or a Cardinals or Yankees game). The view isn’t the best, but it’s not bad and worth the money.
The main drawback of these seats is the concourse tends to be dead here unless it’s a big-game weekend. Furthermore, little shade makes day games in the summer rough affairs. Still, I have sat here multiple times, and it’s one of my favorite sections in the ballpark due to its value and ease of getting to (they’re usually the first section when you climb up the stairs to the second level).
4th: Brew and View
Ticket price: $25-29
Speaking of value, Brew and View was added last year, and it may be the more underrated section of Kauffman. For roughly $25 bucks, you get a ticket in this section and a 24 oz beer. Those beers typically cost $15-18 after tip, so essentially, you’re paying for a beer and a $10 ticket. That’s value!
A small row of seats is available, so if you want to sit and watch the game, you can. You can also stand up at the table and socialize with friends if that’s more of your cup of tea. Lastly, there’s a concession stand right outside the section, though it only offers standard fare like popcorn, nachos, and hot dogs (including dollar dogs on Tuesday).
If you’re going with a group of friends and like to socialize during a game, this is a great and affordable seating option.
5th: Dugout Box
Ticket Price: $65-70
I typically do not like the lower sections. While it’s fun to see the players up close, it gets hard to tell the trajectory of balls. I like the bird’ s-eye view, where I can see all the players clearly, even if they look more minuscule from the upper decks. However, occasionally, it’s nice to splurge and be in an area of the park that is a bit more high-end.
The dugout box isn’t quite Diamond Club, but it’s close, and for those who like the close-up view, it’s as good as it gets. It also tends to get shaded more than lower-level seats, another benefit during those summer day games. It can be a bit of a walk to get to the concourse levels, which is a bit of a bummer and why it only ranks fifth in my rankings.
6th: Fountain Seats
Ticket price: $28-32
This section is nostalgic for me as this area was originally “The Keep” and my first experience as a Royals STM. Even though “The Keep” was short-lived, I like this section despite some dead spots in view. The Crown Vision view is obstructed, and balls hit at the wall can also disappear from your sight line.
However, getting to one’s seat from the Gate A entrance can be done in minutes, and fans have easy access to bathrooms and concessions in the Outfield Experience concourse. Plus, the fans in this section are passionate, likely layovers from the old “Keep” days. I have only been close to one fight in all of my years watching games at the K, and this was the section where it happened (it was between hipster Royals fans and Nebraska frat bros).
That could either convince or discourage you from buying seats in this area.
7th: Lexus Complete Seats
Ticket price: $61-65
The QuikTrip Fountain Deck also has all-inclusive seats that include food and alcohol. However, the Lexus Complete seats, added last year, offer all-inclusive food and soft drinks, a better view (with shade), and a cheaper price point (about $40 less). Also, the inclusive area is indoors, which makes it a nice place to cool off during hot-weather games.
For those who like to enjoy all-inclusive sections in ballparks (Target Field in Minneapolis has a great one ), this one gets my vote over the QuikTrip Fountain deck. I hope to see it continue to expand its offerings in 2025.
8th: Craft and Draft
Ticket price: $73-77
Craft and Draft is a fun experience when you have a group of people and want something a little fancier but want to socialize. You take friends or family who aren’t really into baseball and are more about the “experience.”
Much like Diamond Club, you also get access to a server in this section, which makes it easier to hunker down and watch the game rather than go up and down to the concourse for concessions. Plus, Craft and Draft has excellent beer and food offerings. The food has improved each year since it was installed in 2015. Lastly, the Craft and Draft area arguably has the best and cleanest bathrooms in Kauffman Stadium.
9th: Sonic Slam Section
Ticket price: $31-35
This one is low because it can be a haul to get to these sections. You have to walk downstairs and then to your seats. If you don’t like to miss a pitch, you better be able to hold your bladder because it’s not a quick trip to get to the bathroom.
This is an excellent section for minimalist people with their stadium experience (i.e., you eat and drink at the tailgate in the parking lot). You’re close to the action and likely get a home run ball when the baseball is flying. Plus, you’re close to the players, and you can hear them chatter (plus, they hear your chatter, too, as Jarren Duran of the Red Sox knows). I would sit in this section more often if it were cheaper and not so isolated.
10th: Outfield Plaza
Ticket price: $26-30
This is the only lower section I recommend other than the dugout box, mainly because of its ease of proximity to the concessions and from the gate. The view can be tricky, and the sun gets brutal during summer. However, the view is a hybrid of a lower-level seat with the Fountain/Sonic-Slam seats, which makes it a unique experience, especially for those fans who like good odds of getting foul balls.
There’s a GA section in the outfield plaza on the third-base side. However, I would rather spend the money for a seat, and you’re not saving much anyway on a GA seat in this section. This is a great batting practice section, so if you buy early entry passes, it’s nice that you can be in this section and go right to your seat when batting practice is done (rather than trot to another area of the ballpark).
I’m with you. View Box and View Reserved all the way!
Thanks! And yep! Best value seats in my opinion!