Celebrating Chiefs Season on a Budget

Football is back! The Kansas City Chiefs kick off their 2021-2022 season with their first preseason game at 7:30pm on Sunday, August 14 in San Francisco. If you are anything like me, you have been counting down the days until our boys take the field after that heart-breaking loss last February. Everyone knows that Chiefs fans know how to celebrate accordingly. From tailgating out at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to watch parties from the comfort of your home, there is no need to break the bank this football season. Here are a few tips and tricks to stay on track with your budget while still cheering on our guys in red:

Potluck It Up

I have said it before, and I will say it again – going the potluck route when it comes to food for any gathering is the way to go. Whether you are watching the game from home, with friends, or at the stadium, having everyone bring a food item to share is the easiest and cheapest route to take! This takes the pressure of cooking and spending off of the host and ensures everyone at the party will enjoy at least one dish. If you want to avoid random foods that do not go together, give your potluck a theme. In our house, we base the theme for each week’s game on the team we are playing. For example, if we are playing the Packers, we will do a cheese theme. If we are playing a team like the Falcons or Eagles, we do a wing game! This adds a little fun to the planning process and will ensure everyone’s dishes line up in some way.

Go All Out in Red and Gold

It is time to stock up on your Chiefs gear for the season, but this can be pretty expensive. Before stopping by Rally House or Dick's Sporting Goods for new Chiefs apparel, I suggest you check out some online options or visit your local Walmart. You might be surprised at what all you can find for way cheaper than the brand name sporting stores! The Kansas City Chiefs Pro Shop also offers sales and discounts throughout the season. You can check them out online or at the stadium.

Do not forget about the decorations! Apparel is not the only Chiefs gear you will need for this season. Your local Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Party City are stocked with all of the red and gold you will need to deck out your next tailgate. Some cheap wall decorations and red tablecloths can go a long way. Plates and utensils can be bought in bulk to last you all season long and if you keep good enough care of them, your tablecloths and wall decorations might make it through as well.

On the Hunt for Cheap Tickets

As our team gets better, the ticket prices get higher - that is just the name of the game! I do have a couple of tips for finding some cheap(er) tickets if you and the family are itching to get out of the house and watch our boys in red play in person this season. If you have a Facebook account, there are multiple “groups” that you can join where people will post tickets that they have for sale. These will typically be cheaper than what you can find elsewhere online. Another option is ticket resale websites such as Ticketmaster and Seat Geek. The prices will vary on these sites, but if you check them often you might be lucky enough to snag some good seats for pretty cheap. If you are feeling up to it, you can head out to Arrowhead Stadium on game day and buy tickets from a scalper. Their prices can usually be negotiated – but be careful and make sure you are purchasing legit tickets! Worst comes to worst, you will not be able to find any tickets out there, but you still got to enjoy a tailgate in the heart of Chiefs Kingdom.

However you choose to cheer on our Chiefs this fall, make sure you are shopping smart. Whether it is the food, the apparel, the decorations, or the tickets – there are options out there for every budget. Do not feel like you have to spend a fortune celebrating throughout the season. As long as you have that game on the TV or radio every Sunday, you are doing your part in sending our boys back for their third Super Bowl in a row – this time to win it all!