UPDATE: There were so many Chiefs fans lined up to get in that it was causing traffic issues in the area. The team announced they’re opening parking gates an hour early as a result.
Due to the large crowd already on-site for tonight’s game, we are opening the parking gates an hour early at 1:30 pm to alleviate traffic concerns on the highways and streets around the complex!
— GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (@GEHAField) September 15, 2022
It seems that plenty of Kansas City Chiefs fans presented Andy Reid’s “get out of work” note to their employers on Thursday.
With several hours to go until kickoff and the gates to parking at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium not even open yet, hundreds of fans are already in line and waiting in line to get into the game. NFL Network’s James Palmer recorded a video as he was driven into the stadium, noting that it looks a bit more crowded than usual.
It’s 10:53 am. Kickoff for #chargers at #chiefs is at 7:15 pm only on @PrimeVideo. This is bonkers. Gates don’t open for a while! pic.twitter.com/YMcxaUElCo
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 15, 2022
Parking gates don’t open until 2:30 p.m. CT and the Ford Tailgate District doesn’t open until 30 minutes later, so these fans still have a long wait ahead. Here’s another look from Chiefs team reporter Matt McMullen:
Kickoff is in seven hours. I think #ChiefsKingdom is ready. pic.twitter.com/osK0QHmN9U
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 15, 2022
Many have already been camping out there for hours and are tailgating as they wait in line, which is fairly common for the majority of games during the season. It’s a tailgate ahead of the actual tailgate, so to speak.
Chiefs fans are clearly quite excited about the first home game of the season against an AFC West rival in the Los Angeles Chargers. They’re also looking forward to getting a chance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Arrowhead Stadium.
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