Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)

Arrowhead Stadium, officially known as GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is a legendary football venue located in Kansas City, Missouri. It is the iconic home of the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and is universally recognized as one of the loudest and most intimidating environments in professional sports. As part of the sprawling Truman Sports Complex, it is a monument to NFL tradition and fan passion, known worldwide for its deafening atmosphere and record-setting noise levels.

History and Design

The stadium was built as part of the Truman Sports Complex, which also includes the neighboring Kauffman Stadium (home of the Kansas City Royals).

Opened: The stadium first opened in 1972, succeeding Municipal Stadium. It has undergone several major renovations to modernize facilities while preserving its classic, open-air bowl design.
Design and Architect: Designed by Kivett and Myers, Arrowhead’s simple, deep bowl structure is key to its immense noise levels. Its steep grandstands trap sound, creating an acoustic environment where fan noise is amplified.
The Loudest Stadium: Arrowhead holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium, peaking at 142.2 decibels in 2014, making it louder than a jet engine at takeoff.
Recent Upgrades: A massive renovation was completed in 2010 to add premium seating, wider concourses, and modernized fan amenities, ensuring the venue remains world-class while retaining its classic structure.

Major Events Hosted

While its identity is firmly rooted in the Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium has hosted a diverse array of major sporting and entertainment events.

Kansas City Chiefs Home Games: Its primary function is hosting all Chiefs home games, including multiple recent AFC Championship Games.
International Soccer: Arrowhead has been a frequent host for international soccer matches, including various Gold Cup and U.S. Men’s National Team matches, drawing massive crowds.
College Football: The venue has hosted the annual Border War rivalry game between the Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers, and other major college matchups.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Arrowhead Stadium is a confirmed host city venue for matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will necessitate modifications to the field and lower bowl to accommodate FIFA regulations.
Concerts: The stadium regularly hosts major music acts, with headliners including Taylor Swift, U2, One Direction, and Elton John.

Key Information

Official Name: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Opened: 1972
Capacity: 76,416
Primary Tenant: Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Address: 1 Arrowhead Dr, Kansas City, MO 64129

Contents

Getting to Arrowhead Stadium

Arrowhead Stadium is located in the Truman Sports Complex, approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of Downtown Kansas City. Access is highly dependent on driving and pre-arranged parking.

By Air: The nearest airport is Kansas City International Airport (MCI). From MCI, visitors should take a taxi, ride-share, or shuttle service to their hotel, as there is no direct public transit to the stadium complex.
By Public Transport: Public transportation options are extremely limited. Kansas City’s transit system does not offer a direct, seamless route to the complex. Dedicated shuttle services sometimes run from downtown hotels for major events, but this should be verified in advance.
By Taxi/Ride-Share: Taxis and ride-share services are a viable option, but traffic congestion entering and exiting the complex on event days is severe. A dedicated zone for drop-offs and pickups is typically used.
Parking: Driving and tailgating are central to the Arrowhead experience. The stadium offers massive amounts of on-site parking, but parking passes are mandatory and must be purchased well in advance through the Chiefs organization to ensure access.
By Foot: The stadium is not within walking distance of any major commercial or hotel areas.

Tickets & Tours at Arrowhead Stadium

Tickets

Tickets for Kansas City Chiefs NFL games are notoriously difficult to obtain due to high demand. They are sold through the team’s official ticketing partner, Ticketmaster, or the official Chiefs website. Season Ticket Holders and official members receive priority. It is essential to monitor official secondary resale markets for available seats.

Tours

Arrowhead Stadium offers guided tours that showcase the Chiefs Hall of Honor, luxury suites, the press box, and a walk through the tunnel onto the field (where the noise records were set). Tour information and booking, which are subject to availability due to the active NFL schedule, can be found on the official Chiefs website.

Where to Stay Near Arrowhead Stadium

Due to the stadium’s location outside the city center, the best place to stay depends on whether a visitor prioritizes city life or minimizing gameday travel time.

Downtown Kansas City / Crossroads Arts District (Best for Amenities): Staying downtown or in the trendy Crossroads area offers the widest variety of restaurants, bars, nightlife, and cultural attractions. Travel time to the stadium is typically 15–20 minutes by car, but expect delays on game days.
- Examples: The Kansas City Marriott Downtown (mid-range/convention) provides central access, while hotels in the Crossroads Arts District (e.g., The Crossroads Hotel) offer a boutique, highly walkable experience.
Independence Area (Near the Stadium): The area immediately surrounding the Truman Sports Complex (specifically near Independence and I-70) has several national-chain hotels and motels, offering minimal travel time on game day.
- Examples: Various national brand hotels (like Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn) offer quick access to the venue but are removed from the main entertainment districts.

Booking Tips

Plan Ahead: Book your accommodation and parking passes well in advance, especially during the NFL season or for major international events like the FIFA World Cup.
Gameday Traffic: Account for heavy traffic congestion in the hour leading up to kickoff and immediately following the game, particularly if driving from downtown.
Use Reputable Sites: Use well-known and trustworthy booking websites like TripAdvisor to find and compare accommodation options.