It's almost time for Opening Day at Kauffman Stadium!
Funny enough, the opening game is a World Series rematch against the New York Mets.
Opening Day first pitch is Sunday, April 3 at 7:37 p.m.
While the opponents might be the same as last year, there are a number of changes coming to Kauffman Stadium for the 2016 season.
Here's what you need to know:
New security features
The team is stepping up security both on and off the field.
The minute you get to The K, you'll see full-body metal detectors at all entrances. This is part of MLB’s recommendations for security standards at ballparks. You'll be asked to remove your wallet, phone and keys from your pockets.
On the field, you'll notice more netting to help keep fans safe. Two additional sections of netting have been installed in front of the seats near home plate in Kauffman Stadium. The added netting will extend toward the outfield end of each team's dugout.
The picture above shows where fans can expect to see new netting in Kauffman Stadium during the Royals' 2016 season.
Roster
You can find the full Royals roster on their website.
It is important to note that outfielder Jarrod Dyson is expected to miss the start of the season after straining his oblique while batting during the World Series champions' spring training opener.
Traffic around Kauffman Stadium
For Opening Day, the parking lot opens at noon while the stadium gates open at 5 p.m. When leaving the stadium, you can use any gate except Gate 1 and Gate 3.
WATCH: Kacie McDonnell shows you which routes to take to exit the stadium:
New food
The Rivals Sports Bar was remodeled during the offseason. The bar has been relocated and now offers an indoor/outdoor model. The news release says a large HD projection screen and 12 60-inch televisions have been added.
According to the Royals, Rivals Sports Bar will offer:
- Grilled ribeye steak sandwich
- Signature “Stack’d & Stuff’d” burgers
- Parmesan garlic cheese fries
- Eight different brands of draft beer
- 30 varieties of packaged beers
- Signature milkshakes
- Frozen signature cocktails
There are also a number of new menu items being offered around the stadium, including a few offerings from Andrew Zimmern, who is best known for his show Bizarre Foods. See the full list here.
New merchandise
The Kansas City Royals will start the 2016 season wearing Golden Threads.
To celebrate the 2015 World Series Championship, the Kansas City Royals announced they will start the 2016 season donning Golden Threads (pictured above) during the Opening Series against the New York Mets.
Want one for yourself? New Era caps and Majestic jerseys will be sold exclusively at the Majestic Team Store at Kauffman Stadium from March 24 through March 30 and online at MLB.com. The team store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both products will be available at other retailers later in the month.
Longest Opening Day First Pitch
The Kansas City Urban Youth Academy, Inc. has partnered with the Kansas City Royals, the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and VML for the Relay the Way fundraiser to throw the "Longest Opening Day Pitch."
The longest pitch route start at Union Station and will go through Grand Boulevard, 18th Street, Brooklyn Avenue, Linwood Boulevard to Kauffman Stadium - nearly 9 1/2 miles. The pitch will start at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 3 and is anticipated to end at about 3 p.m. Participants will be standing approximately 20 feet apart and have 10 seconds to throw to the next person. Streets will close and reopen as the pitch progresses.
The funds will be used to construct a new facility called the MLB Urban Youth Academy.
WATCH: Get a quick time lapse of the pitch route in the video below:
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