KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Playoff baseball returns to Kansas City for the first time in nearly a decade.
Royals fans are gearing up for Game 3 of the ALDS, looking for new postseason merchandise at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
The Royals will be at The K for Game 3 and fans are getting ready to sport their team in style, grabbing new gear at the Team Store.
“I’ve got to get me another Bobby Witt jersey because, you know, that’s like our Mahomes of baseball right now,” Yonnie Rodgers said.
Postseason shirts, hats, cups and baseballs are all over the Team Store at The K.
Director of Food, Beverage and Retail with Kansas City Royals Ashley Ficken said the shop is buzzing as the Royals head to game three in the division series against the Yankees.
“New items continue rolling in daily; the newest item that we just got in is our ALDS match-up t-shirt,” Ficken said.
Ficken said they’re bringing in dozens more staff members.
They’re adding food and beverage stations across the stadium to increase fan availability. Plus, she said people will see pop-up merch tents.
“They want to match what they’re seeing their players wear during the celebrations,” Ficken said. “They also see the players wear on the field and in the dugouts, as well. So, it’s just really about excitement. Kansas City is so hot right now.”
“You can’t get enough of some blue magic, you know,” Rodgers said. “We’ve been in red kingdom in so long, now it’s finally back to some blue magic.”
“2015. It’s time for 2024,” Royals fan Lyntona Rodgers said.
Rodgers and his mom will be in the stands on Wednesday. He paid just over $70 for each ticket to take his family.
“The tickets were only $72 then,” Rodgers said. “So I’m like, ‘OK, I’ve got faith, I believe, I’m forever Royal. So I’m going to go ahead and buy the tickets.’ And what do you know, as soon as they won, the tickets (skyrocket motion).”
Rodgers is right. Now, the cheapest tickets for Wednesday night’s game are going for nearly $230 for standing room only.
Rodgers said he’s always had faith in the Royals and a Blue October.
“The city is behind y’all. We’re going to hold y’all down,” Rodgers said. “So come on home so we can show y’all how to really do it.”
On Wednesday, the parking lot opens at 1:30 p.m., and the stadium gates open two hours later at 3:30 p.m.
The Royals are rolling out new food options for the post-season. People can snack on this “Triple Play Cake” or the “Mac and Jack” while watching their Royals play ball.
“We definitely started brainstorming back in August,” Royals Executive Chef Laura Comer said.
She said her team has whipped up 11 new specials, including pulled pork Crown Sticky Buns, a Bricketacho dog and a Pumpkin Spice Latte Pizza.
Comer wanted to incorporate all things fall and Kansas City into the food.
She believes “The Grand Slamwich” will be the fan favorite.
“We have a maple Long John donut; it has been split to make a bun for hand-breaded fried chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce,” Comer said, “and some bread and butter pickles.”
Comes said these dishes will be sold in different spots at the stadium.
Fans can find some at “craft and draft” and others at rivals, which are open to the public. The diamond club, bakery and suites will also offer several tasty treats.
A sweet deal on Wednesday: The Royals are giving away free rally towels to the first 40,000 fans.
