It’s batter-up today for Kansas City Live! as the downtown venue hosts a Royals season opener party, its biggest sports-watching event since Covid-19 disrupted the Big 12 Tournament in mid-March.
“We’ve been open for awhile and had local bands, doing it cautiously and following the city guidelines,” said Jason Bradley, director of entertainment and production for the Power & Light District.
“We had a Sporting KC watch party last night, but this is our first legitimate sports-watching event since Covid hit.”
The Royals are scheduled to play their first game of the pandemic-disrupted season at 6:10 p.m. in Cleveland.
KC Live!, the covered, open-air venue at the heart of the entertainment district can accommodate 5,000 people normally, but with public health restrictions the maximum attendance will be 400- to 500 people, Bradley estimated.
That’s because everyone admitted will be required to sit at one of socially-distant 100 tables that have been set up on the main level of the Live! block and its balconies.
Bradley said all fans should have great views of the KC Live! giant 39-foot by 17-foot video screen.
Between 400 and 500 people seated at table will be able to attend the watch party at KC Live! (Photo courtesy KC Live!)
Guests will be required to wear masks when they enter the venue and move around, but can remove them while seated at their tables.
Once the tables are filled, no one will be admitted inside, and latecomers will have to wait for someone to leave before being admitted.
The Royals watch parties, which will continue for all the games this season, are being described as a free and family-friendly event.
There will be touchless options for ordering food and drinks will be available from Guy’s Dive & Taco Joint, and Pizza Bar.
Ballpark-style food, including Cracker Jacks, and drink specials also will be available throughout the day. Beers will be served in souvenir Royals cups.
The KC Live! Royals watch parties will include a fundraising side as well, according to a press release.
McFadden’s, Pizza Bar and Guy’s Dive will donate $1 for each Miller Lite, Blue Moon or Vizzy sold during Royals games this season to support the KC Urban Youth Academy, up to $20,000.
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