Arrowhead expects

By Gracie Terrill

“And the hooooooooome of the…”

“CHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEFFFFSSSSSSSSS!!!!”

As Americans, most of us are simple creatures.

We like our barbeque, we like our beer and we like our football.

As Chiefs fans, that holds true as well.

We happen to enjoy the Star Spangled Banner ending with

a roaring “CHIEFS” from the crowd.

We enjoy fiery entrances when the Chiefs take the field.

We enjoy planes flying over our stadium.

See, simple!

Nothing compares to Arrowhead Stadium. I’ve been to plenty of NFL stadiums across the United States and I still will argue with anyone that Arrowhead is one of the most exciting places to watch a game. Obviously it is more exciting if you are a Chiefs fan, but out-of-towners that flock to the stadium to support their team seem to marvel in the sound and energy levels. Between the grills fired up with some of the world’s greatest barbeque and the tailgating music blaring through the parking lot, Arrowhead has something for every one of your senses. The Kansas City Chiefs announced the team will be traveling “across the pond” to London for a regular season game, taking away one home game from Arrowhead. As a season ticket holder, I will certainly be missing that one home game. As a Chiefs fan, I know that this could possibly pave the way for a Super Bowl in Kansas City. As a travel enthusiast, I can’t imagine a better opportunity to go see London than a trip to watch the Chiefs play. Others have seemed to have mixed emotions on the game being played away from Kansas City, but they can save it for someone else.

So now that we have this game scheduled, what do Kansas City locals expect from a city that has hosted some of the most prestigious sporting events around the globe? We expect a good time. Plain and simple, Kansas City fans worldwide have suffered through some miserable years in football. We have scraped ourselves off the floor after ANOTHER playoff loss. We have cringed watching quarterback after quarterback disappoint us and coach after coach promise to turn things around. What does all of that lead to? A lot of drinking. From my limited research, I don’t believe drinking will be an issue when it comes to the NFL fans in London. The entire event appears to be like a week-long party. One thing that will be different from Arrowhead is that no one has to drive anywhere. I’m looking forward to enjoying the festivities around Wembley Stadium and see what the locals have for tailgating.

In Kansas City, tailgating is a way of life. We marinate meats and cover ribs in dry rubs the night before the game. We prepare our tailgates and stuff our vehicles with tents, chairs, tables, coolers, plates, napkins, utensils, condiments, speakers, generators, etc. just for enjoyment a few short hours before kickoff. Why? Because it’s what Sundays at Arrowhead are all about. We have the best tailgating food around and some of the best parties in Kansas City happen in a parking lot. We will expect food that is

worthy of a tailgate, and lots of fish and chips. I am already trying to figure out a way to bring Arthur Bryant’s barbeque sauce with me, so needless to say we expect some barbeque! Chiefs fans are notorious for their game day outfits. One of my favorite staples in Chiefs attire are my Zubaz!

These pants are probably the most comfortable thing in the world and allow for so many activities. Also I wear a lot of gold, so I enjoy my gold Nike shoes as well. Lots of KC fans wear face paint or eye black as well. We will be looking forward to the UK fans wearing their Chiefs attire and maybe showing more of their creative side with their looks.

Most of all, Kansas City locals are going to expect to meet all sorts of fans. After speaking with multiple fans that plan on making the trip, they are looking forward the most to meeting the UK fans and bonding with them over a love of American football. Most of the season ticket holders that sit around us are looking forward to the opportunity to take a vacation with a loved one, see the sites of London and best of all, take in a Chiefs game in another country. We want to bring a taste of Kansas City to London and hope in the future we can host fans traveling from the UK to visit Kansas City and experience the magic that is Arrowhead.

As a Kansas City native and life-long Chiefs fan, I can’t wait to hear the stories of how people became a Chiefs fan. Those I spoke with are excited about experiencing Wembley Stadium for the first time and seeing how it compares to Arrowhead. The best way to make Kansas City Chiefs fans feel like they are at home? Remember that the Star Spangled Banner ends properly.