An NFL season is a long journey that the Chiefs hope ends in Las Vegas — celebrating another Super Bowl victory — but the path starts in St. Joseph, MO.
For the 13th year, Missouri Western University in St. Joseph plays host to the Chiefs training camp, where the players come together for classes, practices, and preparation for the season. The whole team moves into dorms to eat, sleep, and breathe football.
Training camp is a unique opportunity for fans to get up-close views of morning practices, get player autographs, take pictures, and much more. Here’s a helpful guide to make the best of Chiefs training camp.
Cost
Nearly every remaining practice session is free to attend. The exception is the Sat., Aug. 5, training camp session, which is Family Fun Day and costs $5 per person.
Every day, parking costs $5 and needs to be purchased online in advance. A ticket is also required for admission to practice sessions – even if they are free. To reserve tickets and parking go to Chiefs.com/TrainingCamp.
Things To Do
- Watch the Chiefs practice. You’ll get to see the players up close and in action as the team runs drills, learns new plays and competes with each other.
- Get autographs. Each day designated position groups sign autographs for free. Often many of the other players will join in the free autograph sessions.
- Activities for kids. On a nearby field, the Chiefs have football challenges where kids can throw passes at targets, kick field goals, tackle a dummy or try to scoop up fumbles. There’s also a rock climbing wall and a giant inflatable Chiefs Kingdom-themed obstacle course and bounce house.
- Grab a photo with the Chiefs Cheerleaders or KC Wolf. Cameras with lenses smaller than six inches are allowed, and training camp provides plenty of opportunities for photos. But recording Chiefs’ practice is against the rules.
- Get new Chiefs Gear. The pro shop has just about every piece of officially licensed Chiefs memorabilia you can imagine.
How To Get There
Chiefs training camp is held at Missouri Western University. Plug “4525 Downs Dr., St. Joseph, MO” into your GPS and you’ll see that training camp is about an hour north from Kansas City and around a 3.5-hour drive from Wichita.
Tips For Training Camp
- It gets hot, so bring sunscreen. Look for the misting stations if you need to cool off.
- You can bring in one sealed water bottle, but water, soda, snow cones and the like are available for purchase, ranging from $5 to $8 each.
- Practices generally last 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Small bags are allowed, but like at the stadium, if the bag isn’t clear it may be searched at security, or, more than likely, you’ll be turned away and sent back to leave the noncompliant bag in your car.
- Bleacher seating is available, but you may bring a folding camping chair if you like. No coolers or outside food and drink — aside from one bottle of water — are allowed.
Schedule
Practice schedules are subject to change, so it’s advisable for fans to check Chiefs.com/TrainingCamp for up-to-date info on practice times and other event details.
All practices begin at 9:15 a.m. with the exception of the last day of training camp that starts an hour earlier. Listed below are practice dates, as well as any special events, and who’s designated to give out autographs at the end of practice.
Monday, July 31
Alumni Day—Autographs: Offensive/Defensive Line
Wednesday, Aug. 2
Autographs: Linebackers
Thursday, Aug. 3
Autographs: Defensive Backs
Friday, Aug. 4
Autographs: Quarterbacks, Running Backs & Specialists
Saturday, Aug. 5
Family Fun Day — Full Team Autograph Session
$5 Admission Fee
Monday, Aug. 7
Autographs: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Autographs: Offensive Line & Defensive Line
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day — Full Team Autograph Session
(Not Open to General Public)
Friday, Aug. 11
Autographs: Linebackers
Tuesday, Aug. 15
Autographs: Defensive Backs
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Autographs: Offensive/Defensive Line
Thursday, Aug. 17
Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Military Appreciation Day — Final Camp Practice