LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks have announced their plans for the 2024 football season, with all six home games set to take place in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The team will play their first two home games against Lindenwood and UNLV at Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City. Their four Big 12 Conference home games will be held at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, where they will face TCU, Houston, Iowa State, and Colorado. These alternate venues have been chosen to accommodate increased fan amenities and ensure that construction on the Gateway District and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium stays on schedule.
The decision to host the 2024 home games outside of Lawrence is necessary to facilitate the ongoing construction projects and ensure that the team can host their 2025 home games in Lawrence. The University of Kansas commencement ceremonies for both 2024 and 2025 will still be held at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Travis Goff, Director of Athletics, expressed the benefits of this plan, emphasizing the importance of creating the best possible experience for all involved. The partnership with Children’s Mercy Park and GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will not only allow the construction projects to continue on schedule but also contribute to the overall budget of the project.
For fans looking to support the Jayhawks throughout the 2024 season, full six-game season ticket packages are available for purchase at a starting price of $275. A family zone opportunity is also offered at $200 per ticket. Renewals for 2023 season ticket holders will go on sale on Feb. 6. Full season ticket holders for the 2024 season will have priority for the 2025 season, which will be the first inside the transformed David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
In addition to the season ticket packages, fans will have the opportunity to purchase a four-game package for the games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Single-game tickets will also be available for purchase at a later date. Interested individuals who are not 2023 season ticket holders can fill out a ticket interest form to receive updates on 2024 ticket opportunities.
To ensure student participation and attendance during the 2024 season, Kansas Athletics is collaborating with campus partners to provide transportation and accommodations for all six home games. The student ticket allotment at both venues will match or exceed the capacity at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
More information regarding fan parking, suites, and premium opportunities at both venues will be released in the upcoming weeks. However, due to the high demand from season ticket holders, single-game tickets for the two games at Children’s Mercy Park in 2024 are not expected to be on sale.
University Chancellor Douglas A. Girod highlighted the unique opportunity to play home games in the Kansas City metropolitan area, acknowledging that this move may not be ideal for some members of the Lawrence community. However, he emphasized the necessity of the one-year relocation to ensure the success and timely completion of the Gateway District.
The Kansas football team is coming off a successful 2023 season, with a 9-4 record and a victory in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Head Coach Lance Leipold is looking forward to welcoming back key members of the team for the 2024 season, including running back Devin Neal and receivers Lawrence Arnold, Luke Grimm, and Quentin Skinner.
With the upcoming games at Children’s Mercy Park and GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Jayhawks are eager to create a “home field” atmosphere and provide the best competitive advantage for the team during this transition period.
Various individuals and organizations have expressed their support for the decision to host the home games in Kansas City. Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan stated that hosting Jayhawks football games at Arrowhead Stadium aligns with the stadium’s role as a community asset. Sporting KC President and CEO Jake Reid emphasized the long-standing partnership between Sporting Kansas City and the University of Kansas.
While this temporary move may not be ideal for some members of the Lawrence community, it is seen as an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their innovation and creativity. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bonnie Lowe expressed optimism about the future success of the city, highlighting the new stadium, the Gateway District, and the upcoming conference center.
The project team responsible for the Gateway District and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium construction has recognized that hosting all home games in alternate locations will create a safer and more efficient environment to complete the project. Turner Construction Operations Manager Joshua Jones expressed gratitude for the support from the university and the design team in ensuring the safety of the community and workforce.
Overall, while the decision to move the home games may be disappointing for some, it is integral to the continuing progress of the construction projects. The Kansas Jayhawks are looking forward to an exciting 2024 season, building upon their recent success and creating memorable experiences for their fans and supporters.