Research Finds Shocking Data About Cost to Attend KC Chiefs Games

It's becoming more and more expensive to support the Chiefs in person, and a recent study found some telling numbers behind the inflation.

Jan 23, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid celebrates with fans after the win against the Buffalo Bills in overtime in the AFC Divisional playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Having a successful NFL club in town makes it much easier for fans to watch their favorite football teams every week, but it also oftentimes increases the financial burden for those who opt to attend games in person. That's been the case for the Kansas City Chiefs, as expected, but a comparison to other franchises around the league makes the price increase even more alarming.

In a recent article on the biggest "bank breakers" in all four major American sports, US Betting Report created Fan Cost Index (FCI) that took into account the cost of a family of four to attend a sporting event. Game-specific elements factored in were four averaged-priced tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking for an hour, two game programs and two of the cheapest adult-sized adjustable caps available. This data was compared for all teams from 2012 to 2022, and the percentage change in FCI was then ranked. 

For NFL teams, the Chiefs took home the No. 5 spot with an FCI of $360.68 in 2012 and a 2022 FCI of $587.47. That's good for a 62.9% increase, well above the average percentage change of 37% for the NFL. To predict a league average FCI, historical data was run through a linear forecast function on Microsoft Excel. Here's the full top five in 10-year increase:

• Las Vegas Raiders: $381.90 to $738.36 (93.3%)
• Cleveland Browns: $343.80 to $593.23 (72.6%)
• Philadelphia Eagles: $397.48 to $679.71 (71.0%)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $391.28 to $649.77 (66.1%)
• Kansas City Chiefs: $360.68 to $587.47 (62.9%)

In addition to being the fifth-biggest bank breakers in the NFL when comparing 2012 to 2022, Kansas City finished 10th among teams across all major American sports teams. Part of this is merely the cost of inflation and sporting events in general becoming more expensive on a per-case basis, but another piece of context is bound to be the state of the team.

In 2011 and 2012, the Chiefs won a combined nine games and were a dismal franchise with little to compete for. Since Andy Reid took over as head coach, the club has been a winning program every year and now has two championships on its resume. If paying a more premium price at the stadium is the cost of having a local team with that level of success, it's safe to assume that Chiefs fans will continue embracing it.

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