The Ultimate Royals Tailgate

Tailgating before a Royals game is a Kansas City tradition that brings fans together long before the first pitch.

It is about gathering with friends, enjoying food and drinks, and setting the tone for an afternoon or evening at the ballpark. With a little planning, your pregame can be just as memorable as the action on the field.

A couple tailgate in the parking lot before a sporting event

Stock Up On Gear

Before you fire up the grill or pack the cooler, make sure your tailgate crew looks the part. Rally House carries jerseys, hats, and accessories so you can show off your Royals pride in style. Made in KC adds a local twist with shirts, caps, and designs you will not find anywhere else. For a one-stop shop, Scheels offers everything from official apparel to tailgating essentials, making it easy to gear up for game day.

Make A Beer Run

No Royals tailgate is complete without a case (or two) of local beer. Brew Lab in Downtown Overland Park has creative small-batch brews perfect for sharing with friends. Discourse Brewing brings fresh energy with a tap list that changes often, so you can always surprise your crew with something new. Boulevard Brewing Company is a Kansas City classic, and their Boulevard Wheat and Boulevard Quirk Seltzers are tailgate staples that can be found at nearly every liquor store in the area.

Don't Forget the Meats

Stocking up on meats is the key to a great game day, and Kansas City barbecue sets the standard. Swing by Wiener Kitchen for creative hot dogs and sausages that go far beyond the basics. If you want to make it easy, order a family-style tailgate kit from Jack Stack BBQ through their catering menu and bring the flavors of a legendary KC smokehouse straight to the parking lot. Order the world-famous cheesy corn, hickory pit beans, or creamy coleslaw for sides that are sure to satisfy.

Follow Our Packing List

We’ve done the work so you don’t have to. Follow this packing list to be ready for whatever the day brings:

Lawn chairs and a folding table
Portable grill with charcoal or propane, grilling tools, lighter, and meat thermometer
Cooler packed with drinks, ice, snacks, condiments, and a bottle opener
Paper plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, foil, and plenty of trash bags
Bluetooth speaker and games like cornhole or washers
Sunscreen, bug spray, and rain gear

And most importantly, don’t forget the tickets!

Author

Samantha Travis

Social Media and Content Manager

A proud Jayhawk and lifelong Kansan, Samantha Travis is the face behind Visit Overland Park's social media channels. With a journalism degree from the University of Kansas, she’s turned her passion for storytelling into a career by sharing the best of Overland Park through blog and social content. Her day-to-day might include discovering a new art exhibit, meeting with local business owners, or hunting down the best BBQ in town. Her mission? To turn every visitor into an Overland Park superfan, one post at a time.

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