Jade Carter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Kansas City Royals opened their 2026 campaign in Atlanta over the weekend, and they are back in town for Monday’s home opener.
The Royals are looking to improve on an 82-80 record in 2025 that saw them fall short of the playoffs the year after advancing to the American League Division Series.
They have one of the league’s most exciting players in All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., an emerging star in All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia, a popular veteran catcher in Salvador Perez and plenty of starting pitchers capable of shutting teams down.
The big problem for Kansas City for years has been outfield production, and other than signing Starling Marte to a $1 million deal and making a couple of smaller moves, Royals general manager JJ Picollo was unable to make any major improvement. Instead, the Royals will hope that power-hitting Jac Caglianone will improve against big league pitching in his sophomore season.
If starter Cole Ragans can return to All-Star form after injuries last season, Kris Bubic can follow through on his breakout year, and the offense can tick up with some help from Caglianone and promising young catcher Carter Jensen, the Royals have a shot to win their first AL Central title since 2015.
CAN’T GO? WATCH ON KCTV5!
KCTV5 is continuing and expanding parent company Gray Media’s partnership with the Kansas City Royals for the 2026 baseball season.
The broadcast partnership between the Royals and Gray Media will bring 10 Royals games to fans for free in up to 18 markets and eight states. It will also highlight the team’s significant community outreach and impact initiatives.
This second year of the successful partnership features a historic moment for Kansas City baseball fans: the broadcast of the Royals’ home opener on Monday, March 30, against the Minnesota Twins, which marks the first time since 2007 that the home opener will be broadcast for free over-the-air in Kansas City.
The other nine games airing on KCTV5 can be found here.
PARKING
The Kauffman Stadium parking lots will open at 9 a.m.
When purchasing parking online in advance:
- General Parking pass is $21
- Reserved Parking pass is $36
- Oversized Vehicle Parking pass is $41
Parking can be bought at the gate for $30 for General, $45 for Reserved (while supplies last), or $50 for Oversized Vehicle. Fans can pay via credit card at the designated toll booths at Gates 2–4, 5, or 6.
Parking passes will be digital and need to be pulled up and scanned through the window at the toll booth on the MLB Ballpark app.
TICKETS
There are a limited number of tickets remaining for the Royals Home Opener.
FORECAST
It’ll be historically warm for the Royals Home Opener! You wake up relatively warm, only dropping to around 60.
Expect temperatures at first pitch to be around 86 degrees, which is likely to smash a daily heat record. The only hitch in the forecast will be windy conditions, with gusts exceeding 30 mph.
However, those winds will be from the southwest, leading to more home run potential!
BAG POLICY
Fans are allowed one clear bag no larger than 12” x 12” x 6” with all items inside easily visible. A clear one-gallon zip-seal bag is also allowed (Ziploc® bag or similar).
Small clutch bags that do not exceed 9″ x 5″, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options. An exception may be made for medical reasons or manufactured diaper bags accompanying infants and young children after proper inspection.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Backpacks
- Any drinks besides water or sports drinks (one sealed/unopened 1-liter or smaller bottle per person allowed).
- Weapons/fireworks (including all guns and pocket knives)
- Pets or animals not documented as service dogs
For a complete list of prohibited items, click here.
OPENING DAY SCHEDULE
Gates to Kauffman Stadium will open at 12 p.m. Opening Day ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., including:
- Introductions of the 2026 Royals team
- Giant American flag held on field
- National Anthem performed by America’s Got Talent Season 20 quarterfinalists “CitiLimitz”
- Flyover from Whiteman Air Force Base A-10s.
BALLPARK FOOD
Royals fans can expect a fresh lineup of bites at Kauffman Stadium this season.
Starting lineup
| New food | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Gyro Bowl | Gyro meat, rice, tzatziki, hummus, lettuce, Greek potato salad | Marketplace – Section 203 |
| Upper Deck Dog | All beef frank, tempura batter, Greek potato starch, mozzarella, BBQ aioli | Craft & Draft – Down third baseline on the Loge Level, near section 301 |
| Honolulu Chicken plate | Chicken with rice and macaroni salad | Hawaiian Bros – Diamond Club |
| Royals Fried Rice | Chopped brisket, cilantro, crispy onions, BBQ aioli, BBQ sauce, scallions | Craft & Draft – Down third baseline on the Loge Level, near section 301 |
| Foot Long Hot Dog Beef Wellington | Vienna beef hot dog, yellow mustard, mushrooms, prosciutto, puff pastry, chipotle ketchup | Rivals – Sections 250-252 |
| Big League Pork Cutlet Sandwich | Pork cutlet, asian slaw, Korean chili aioli, sesame seeds | Rivals – Sections 250-252 |
| Beef Short Rib Corn Dog | Braised beef short rib, buttermilk cornbread, truffle mac & cheese, parmesan breadcrumbs, demi glace | Hey Batter Batter – Section 239 |
| Elotes Corn Dog | Topped with street corn, cilantro lime crema, cotija, tajin, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos | Hey Batter Batter – Section 239 |
| Jerk Chicken Double Dip Hoagie | Grilled jerk chicken, pineapple slaw, mango habanero jerk BBQ sauce, cilantro lime crema | Grand Slammies – Section 247 |
| Chicken and Waffles | Chicken bites, waffle cone, hot honey, ranch dressing, chipotle ketchup | Rivals – Sections 250-252 |
Sweet treats
| New food | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tiramisu Helmet | Marscapone cheese, rum, lady fingers, cold brew coffee | Rivals – Sections 250-252 |
| Dirty sodas | Royal Razz lemonade: Sprite, lemonade, blue raspberry Strawberry Short Cake: sprite, strawberry, cupcake, cream |
Dive Bar – section 239 |
| S’Mores Quesadilla | Marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crumbs, strawberry pico de gallo | Craft & Draft – Down third baseline on the Loge Level, near section 301 |
| Pineapple Dole Whip | Pineapple, blue island wave twist | Hawaiian Bros – Diamond Club |
For the complete Kauffman Stadium guide to concessions and dining, click here.
ON THE FIELD
Expectations on the field for the Royals are much higher entering this season than last. Kansas City is set up to be a leading contender for the AL Central divisional race and is projected to win more than 80 games.
Depending on the sportsbook, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is either the favorite or a leading candidate for American League MVP.
The Royals’ 26-man Opening Day roster includes:
PITCHERS
Here’s the Royals’ MLB roster when the season began Friday.
Pitchers
Starting pitchers:
- Cole Ragans
- Seth Lugo
- Michael Wacha
- Kris Bubic
- Noah Cameron
Each of the five members of the Royals’ starting rotation in 2026 was with the team last season as well. Bubic returns after his 2025 season ended due to injury in July. Ragans will make the Opening Day start for Kansas City for the third straight year.
Relief pitchers:
- Bailey Falter
- Alex Lange
- Daniel Lynch IV
- Nick Mears
- John Schreiber
- Matt Strahm
- Lucas Erceg
- Carlos Estevez
The back end of the Royals bullpen looks similar to last year with Schreiber, Erceg and Estevez returning, but Matt Strahm’s return to Kansas City puts him into a similar role held by Angel Zerpa last year.
Alex Lange, a former Lee’s Summit West star, makes the Royals Opening Day roster after signing a one-year deal with his hometown team in November.
Pitchers on injured list:
- Stephen Kolek (15-day IL)
- James McArthur (15-day IL)
- Alec Marsh (60-day IL)
Hitters
Catchers:
- Salvador Perez
- Carter Jensen
After getting a call-up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut last September, the Park Hill High School product and former third-round pick of the Royals makes his first Opening Day roster.
Jensen hit .300 in 60 at-bats last September and is on the short-list of preseason contenders for AL Rookie of the Year in 2026.
Infielders:
- Maikel Garcia
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- Jonathan India
- Nick Loftin
- Vinnie Pasquantino
- Tyler Tolbert
- Michael Massey (10-day injured list)
The left side of the Royals’ starting infield was solidified for years to come with third baseman Maikel Garcia signing an extension this offseason. He and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. are both now under contract for multiple years, with Witt Jr. on the largest contract in franchise history.
Garcia comes into 2026 after being named an All-Star for the first time in 2025 and winning World Baseball Classic MVP this March when he helped Venezuela win the international tournament for the first time.
Outfielders:
- Kyle Isbel
- Starling Marte
- Isaac Collins
- Jac Caglianone
- Lane Thomas
Top Royals prospect Jac Caglianone has settled into right field as a more permanent defensive spot for the former first-round pick. He and Kyle Isbel return to the Royals outfield and are joined by several new faces.
Isaac Collins was acquired by Kansas City in the Angel Zerpa trade after finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season. Lane Thomas was signed by the Royals after two seasons with the Cleveland Guardians.
Veteran outfielder Starling Marte signed with the Royals during Spring Training. By making the Royals roster, he has the second-most service time of any player on the team, trailing only Salvador Perez.
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