Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Stadium Guide series, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets to Kansas City Chiefs games at Arrowhead Stadium here on StubHub.

The absolute best way to get to know Arrowhead Stadium is to first roll down the windows when you arrive.

Surrounded by massive parking lots, Arrowhead can produce the best smells for fans hours before kickoff. Want ribs from the grill? Thousands of fans have spent hours smoking those ribs. How about burgers, hot dogs and barbecued chicken? Of course, any tailgate party is likely to feature one or all three of those foods, with smoke from the grills wafting across the parking lot. Beer is also plentiful.

The allure of Arrowhead is there before you even set foot in the stadium. Lamar Hunt, the founder of the Chiefs, would walk the parking lots before games and talk to thousands of fans. Hunt knew the fans were a big reason the Chiefs have one of the best pregame atmospheres in the NFL, an atmosphere more like a big college football game down south. Hunt always said, “Arrowhead Stadium is my favorite place on earth.”

Once inside the stadium, fans enjoy an ideal view no matter where they watch the action. Arrowhead was designed to produce thunderous sound. The stadium first broke the Guinness World Record for loudest stadium in 2013. The following year, Arrowhead reclaimed the record when fans’ voices generated 142.2 decibels during a resounding victory over the New England Patriots – a record that still stands today.

The charm of Arrowhead, 54 years later, is that it is almost always packed on game days and serves as the largest gathering place in Kansas City.

The athlete has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans important game day information. We also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium to help football fans have an enjoyable visit.

The best views 🤩 See you here again in 13 days! pic.twitter.com/OPRokF5M8F

— GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (@GEHAField) 23 August 2024

Insider tips

The must-see stadium game in 2024: vs. Baltimore Ravens, September 5

NFL opening night should offer a fantastic showdown, a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game. The Ravens will have a revamped defense under new coordinator Zach Orr, which should be a test of the quality of the Chiefs’ offense, which is looking to improve on last season with the signing of rookies such as receiver Xavier Worthy and left tackle Kingsley Suamataia. A year ago, the Chiefs lost to the Detroit Lions on opening night after unveiling their updated championship banner. Unlike then, the Chiefs should have two of their best players, tight end Travis Kelce and pass rusher Chris Jones, in uniform.

Fan tradition to know: The end of the national anthem

Before the coin toss at every home game, most Chiefs fans sit in their seats and listen to the national anthem. While people outside of Kansas City probably think of the Tomahawk Chop they’ve seen countless times on TV, Chiefs fans love the national anthem because they created an opportunity to participate in the song over a decade ago. As the singer reaches the final crescendo of the song, everyone in the red Chiefs gear gets their vocal cords ready for the game by chanting “Chiefs!” as the singer reaches “Home of the Brave.” But the singer is basically the only person in the stadium who recites the last word of the song correctly. Everyone else sings “Home of the Chiefs!”

Nate Taylor’s Favorite Thing

I highly recommend first-time visitors to Arrowhead spend at least an hour or two in the parking lots before the game to get a real feel for the atmosphere and festivities. Almost every Chiefs fan, if you ask nicely, will let you join their mini party, all of which are pretty elaborately staged and showcase a love of food and football. Most Chiefs fans love coming to Arrowhead games because they’ve had plenty of food, drinks, and nice conversation about the sport before quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempts his first pass.

The athlete‘s stadium ranking: 6

Jon Machota rated all 30 NFL stadiums in August 2023 and this is what he said about Arrowhead Stadium:

It’s hard to find a better atmosphere on a game day. The tailgating scene is outstanding and the crowd noise during games is some of the best in the league. The venue has aged well considering the Chiefs have been playing there since 1972.

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Tips for fans on match day

The Athletic asked NFL fans for their feedback on the following questions:

Which seating area offers the best value for money?

Sections 302 or 346, rows 3-10. These seats are on the 35-45 yard line and offer a fantastic view of the entire field from high enough to see what’s going on. People sitting in these areas don’t have to stand for the entire game like they do in the field-level sections, so you can watch the game comfortably without having your view blocked. They are also on the visitor’s side, so they are a little more affordable than the home side of the field, and have the advantage of sitting across the field from the Chiefs players instead of having to look at their butts. Most importantly, these seats are on the sunny side of the stadium, meaning that during cold late fall/winter games, temperatures are much warmer than the home side, which is in the shade with no sun. — Brenda GH

Which food should you definitely not miss?

Mac & Cheese with Burnt Ends. I could eat my whole weight in this stuff. — Daniel L.

What is the best beer option?

I have to choose a local beer, Boulevard Wheat. — Daniel L.

Where is the best place to take a photo?

Post a selfie next to the Lamar Hunt statue and tag the Chiefs. Maybe they’ll surprise you with your selfie on the big screen. — Joe W.

What child-friendly activities/options are available at the stadium?

The Chiefs’ Hall of Honor is a great place, especially for older kids.

Where is the best place for a tailgate?

Parking lots C and G, but you have to get to the stadium super early to have a chance of getting a parking space there. — Brenda GH

Tailgating is an essential part of the Arrowhead Stadium experience in Kansas City. (Denny Medley / USA Today)

What you should know when you go

Stadium address: 1 Arrowhead Dr., Kansas City, Mo. 64129.

Opening year: 1972.

Roof? No roof.

Playing area: Bermuda grass.

Stadium capacity: 74,416.

Average attendance per game in 2023 (according to Pro Football Reference): 73,587.

Tickets: 434 $ is the average ticket price for a StubHub ticket at Arrowhead Stadium for an NFL game in 2024, according to StubHub. There is no waiting list for season tickets.

Baggage regulations: Clear bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches are permitted. This may include clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear shoulder bags. Purses, totes, clutches and fanny packs that are not clear and no larger than 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches are permitted after inspection.

Outside food guidelines: No outside food or beverages are allowed, with the exception of a factory-sealed water bottle containing 20 ounces or less.

ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that at least 1 percent of stadium seating be wheelchair accessible. For more information on all of the accessible services at Arrowhead Stadium, click here.

Tailgating Policy: Tailgating is permitted in all Truman Sports Complex parking lots. Parking lots may not be used solely for tailgating equipment. Access to the Truman Sports Complex is limited to ticketed event guests. Guests are not permitted in the parking lots or outside the stadium during games.

Park: To enter the Truman Sports Complex, a parking pass must be purchased in advance at www.chiefs.com/buyparking.

Transport options: Driving, carpooling, KCATA buses.

Learn more: https://www.chiefs.com/stadium/

The Stadium Guides series is part of a partnership with StubHub.