Are 34,000 seats enough for a new Royals stadium plan?

MLB Are 34,000 seats enough for a new Royals stadium plan?

By Ben Gale

September 14, 2026 • 3:04 PM EDT

Updated 1 hours ago

Are 34,000 seats enough for a new Royals stadium plan?

The Kansas City Royals have officially chosen their construction team for a proposed 34,000-seat downtown ballpark near Crown Center. If you are used to the sprawling Kauffman Stadium, this new number feels like a big shift: it is about 10 percent smaller than the current capacity and would make the new park the smallest in the majors, not counting temporary homes.

It is part of a wider MLB trend. Teams are downsizing, not just the Royals. The new Athletics ballpark planned for Las Vegas will fit only 33,000 fans, and the next Rays stadium in St. Petersburg will have 31,000 permanent seats. Even modern parks for franchises like the Braves and Rangers, both with more than 40,000 seats, trimmed capacities by 15 percent when they built new homes. Teams and owners have looked at the numbers, and the incentives are shifting away from just cramming in bodies.

According to Yahoo Sports, fans now see smaller stadiums popping up everywhere, even as league-wide attendance sits above pre-pandemic levels and is trending up for five straight years. But the total number of butts in seats still trails the 2000s, despite beating the old days of empty, multi-purpose stadiums.

If you are wondering why teams would shrink with demand on the rise, let us talk about money. Baseball economics have changed. Teams want to get more from each person, not just more people. Back in the day, it was all about getting as many fans inside as possible, no matter if those extra seats were empty most of the year—especially during midweek snoozers in September.

Now, success is about perks, premium seating, lounges and social zones. Those sections take more space, but they also bring in much more cash per ticket. The Royals, for example, have just 19 private suites at Kauffman, way below the league average of 76. A new ballpark is their chance to add more exclusive areas and pump up their per-fan revenue.

Smaller capacity also means fewer seats for big moments, making each ticket more valuable and likely, pricier. In fact, the Royals currently offer some of MLB’s cheapest tickets, but you can look at the Athletics for a cautionary tale: they jumped from a cavern of a stadium to a tiny temporary park and, boom, had some of the priciest tickets out there despite being nearly unwatchable last season. The kicker? Forbes says the Royals took home $76 million in gate receipts last year despite poor attendance. That points to the gold mine hidden in every fan when the stadium is packed with amenity-rich seats.

Key developments in the Royals’ stadium plans

Royals select Mortenson, McCownGordon, and JE Dunn to build the new downtown stadium.
Capacity will be 34,000, down from 37,903 at Kauffman and way below the early 2000s setup.
This would be the smallest ballpark in the majors (excluding temporary sites).
Recent stadiums around MLB are following a similar downsizing trend.
MLB attendance is rising, but overall seats available are steady or falling due to smaller venues and focus on premium spaces.

Why the smaller stadium might work—and when it could backfire

For most Royals games, 34,000 seats are more than enough. The team never averaged that much per game for a season, and since 2016, they have only exceeded that number 25 times (again, not counting openers or away fans). Even the 2015 World Champs only crossed that mark 41 times out of 81 home games.

However, if the move downtown attracts new fans—there are 30,000 residents and thousands of office workers near Crown Center—a suddenly popular Royals team could max out capacity quickly. A full downtown stadium is more likely when the team is winning or hosting big-name rivals. That is when tickets will get scarce and expensive, and some loyal fans could be left out.

Space is another factor. The Crown Center district is only about 85 acres, much tighter than the roomy Truman Sports Complex. With limited land available, the design must be smart, doubling down on unique amenities, walkable areas, and social spaces.

Will fewer seats ruin the fan experience?

Not necessarily. A packed, smaller park can feel electric compared to a half-empty giant stadium. Plus, the space saved can go to big concourses, gathering spots, standing areas and high-end food or bar options, making every trip to the park an event, not just a trip to your seat. As long as prices do not skyrocket too far, Royals games could feel more intimate and lively.

But when the Royals are contenders, expect a ticket crunch and rising prices. Designing for steady revenue in most years makes sense, but when the team gets hot, some fans will be on the outside looking in. It is the price the team is ready to pay to modernize and compete with richer clubs from bigger markets. The gamble is that loyal Royals fans and Kansas City alike will accept this new normal as the cost of staying in the game.

Key takeaways for bettors and fans

34,000 seats means a smaller supply and likely higher ticket prices, especially for premium games.
The downsizing reflects a leaguewide trend—Kansas City is not alone in this shift.
Revenue focus is shifting to premium seating, clubs and amenities, not just seat count.
Most Royals games will not sell out 34,000, but big matchups and good seasons could make tickets hard to find.
New downtown stadium access could drive fresh demand; capacity may look tight if the team becomes popular again.
Fan environment could improve—fewer empty seats, better amenities, more social options.
Small stadium fits with a tight urban site; makes parking and space use more efficient.
Bettors should watch for ticket demand spikes and price inflation for key series and playoff runs if the Royals become competitive again.

More coverage: latest MLB news, our MLB betting analysis and MLB expert picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

The planned downtown Kansas City Royals ballpark will have 34,000 seats, which is smaller than any current MLB stadium except the temporary park in Sacramento.

The focus is shifting to premium seating, clubs, and social spaces which generate more revenue per fan, rather than maximising total attendance.

Kauffman Stadium currently seats 37,903, and held over 40,000 before renovations. The new stadium’s 34,000 is about a 10 percent drop from today and an even bigger reduction from the past.

Yes, new stadiums for the Athletics and Rays will have capacities of 33,000 and 31,000, showing the trend toward smaller, more premium ballparks across MLB.

Smaller stadiums typically create more demand for tickets, driving up prices—especially when the team is good or facing top opponents.

Yes, during successful years or major series, the 34,000-seat stadium could sell out quickly, leaving some fans without tickets.

Less seating can create a more intimate, electric atmosphere and allows for bigger concourses, more amenities, and better gathering spaces throughout the ballpark.