Kansas City, Missouri is more than just another city in just another flyover state. It’s the home of some fantastic sports venues. The Truman Sports Complex, in particular, boasts not just Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, but also Kauffman Stadium, the legendary home of the Kansas City Royals for nearly half a century.

The History of Kauffman Stadium

Built in 1973, Kauffman Stadium originally began its life known as Royals Stadium. It got a name change in 1993 in honor of long-time owner Ewing Kauffman. Featuring a modernist design, the Big K is one of a kind: instead of one of many multi-purpose parks constructed during this era of baseball stadiums, the venue was, and remains, baseball-only. It’s also one of the oldest parks in the MLB, and one of only two that are exclusively for baseball and no other sport. The only other is the legendary Fenway Park, putting Kauffman Stadium in some pretty good company.

What’s So Special About Kauffman Stadium?

Aside from the fact that Kauffman Stadium won’t let anyone not wearing an MLB uniform set foot on the field, there are lots of things to love about the Big K. The sheer history of the park is staggering. We’re talking about the stadium that Nolan Ryan threw his first of seven no-hitters, right on that pitcher’s mound. You don’t get more noteworthy than that.

But there’s more to Kauffman Stadium, especially since it’s been renovated extensively over the years. The latest refurb, which was finished in 2009, might have reduced capacity of the stadium to around 38,000, but it added a high-definition scoreboard, renovated concession and bathroom facilities, a kids’ area and an outdoor concourse, and countless other improvements that make this stadium future-proof for decades. It’s a sight to see, and it’s an experience not to be missed!