KC Current updates transportation options for CPKC Stadium. A surprise? No tailgating

Less than two weeks out from this year’s NWSL season opener at CPKC Stadium, the Kansas City Current has released new information on the club’s parking rules and regulations — and off-site transportation to the stadium.

That’s been a hot topic since the pricing for limited on-site parking was announced back in February.

If you plan to park at CPKC Stadium, just know one thing: There’s no tailgating.

The rules and regulations for parking on-site in one of the three lots at CPKC Stadium state that: “Tailgating before, during or after event hours is strictly prohibited.”

Alcohol, grills and yard games that block spaces or traffic flow are prohibited in the parking lots, among many other items.

The Current also released single-game parking passes for purchase on Seat Geek, in addition to the club’s full-season parking pass offered for season-ticket members. There will be no option to purchase a parking pass on-site, the club said.

The parking lots for the inaugural match at CPKC Stadium will open four hours before kickoff, but that is subject to change for future matches. They will close two hours after the final whistle.

The Current encourages those who are parking on-site to carpool, offering $10 in stadium vouchers for fans who arrive in a vehicle with four or more occupants.

For fans looking to park off-site, the Current announced a last-stretch shuttle that will run continuously, beginning four hours before the match and ending two hours after the match’s conclusion. In addition to pickup and drop-off from the main gate of CPKC Stadium, the shuttles will service two locations: one in the River Market District near the intersection of Third and Grand and another at the Central Business District near the intersection of Seventh and Main.

Those pickup locations are within walking distance of numerous surface lots and parking garages — and Kansas City Streetcar stops.

“The KC Streetcar will be boosting service levels on KC Current match days, connecting parking options throughout downtown,” Tom Gerend, executive director of KC Streetcar Authority, said in the club’s release. “Streetcar service will be a great choice for those looking for park and ride options to CPKC Stadium.”

Those planning to walk or drive and park at CPKC Stadium should know that the Grand Street Bridge will be closed to everyone but those on bikes and the shuttles during the duration of the shuttle’s service. With these street closures, the Current encourages people walking from the River Market area to utilize the Riverfront Heritage Trail starting at Second and Main, which is roughly a mile-and-a-half one-way.

The Kansas City Current will open CPKC Stadium on March 16 with a noon kickoff against the Portland Thorns, a rematch of 2023’s home opener and the 2022 NWSL Championship game.

This story was originally published March 6, 2024 at 2:27 PM.