The Kansas City Royals opened their 2026 campaign in Atlanta over the weekend and are now preparing for their home opener.
Free Over-the-Air Broadcast
The Royals’ home opener against the Minnesota Twins will be broadcast for free. This marks the first time since 2007 that the home opener will be broadcast for free over-the-air in Kansas City.
KCTV5 is continuing and expanding its partnership with the Kansas City Royals for the 2026 baseball season. The broadcast partnership between the Royals and Gray Media will bring 10 Royals games to fans for free in up to 18 markets and eight states. The partnership will also highlight the team’s community outreach and impact initiatives.
The Team’s Prospects
The Royals are looking to improve on their 82-80 record from 2025. That record saw them fall short of the playoffs the year after advancing to the American League Division Series.
The team boasts exciting players such as All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., emerging star All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia, and veteran catcher Salvador Perez. They also have starting pitchers capable of shutting teams down.
A challenge for Kansas City has been outfield production. Despite signing Starling Marte and making a couple of smaller moves, Royals general manager JJ Picollo was unable to make any major improvements. The Royals will hope that power-hitting Jac Caglianone will improve against big league pitching in his sophomore season.
The Royals hope that starter Cole Ragans can return to All-Star form after injuries last season and that Kris Bubic can follow through on his breakout year. They also hope the offense can tick up with some help from Caglianone and promising young catcher Carter Jensen. If this happens, the Royals have a shot to win their first AL Central title since 2015.
Game Day Details
Kauffman Stadium parking lots will open at 9 a.m.
- Parking can be bought at the gate for $30 for General.
- $45 for Reserved (while supplies last).
- $50 for Oversized Vehicle.
Fans can pay via credit card at the designated toll booths at Gates 2–4, 5, or 6. Parking passes will be digital and need to be pulled up and scanned through the window at the toll booth on the MLB Ballpark app.
Fans are allowed one clear bag no larger than 12” x 12” x 6” with all items inside easily visible. A clear one-gallon zip-seal bag is also allowed (Ziploc® bag or similar).
Weather Forecast
It’ll be historically warm for the Royals Home Opener. Expect temperatures at first pitch to be around 86 degrees, which is likely to smash a daily heat record. The only hitch in the forecast will be windy conditions, with gusts exceeding 30 mph.
Those winds will be from the southwest, leading to more home run potential.
You wake up relatively warm, only dropping to around 60.