KU explains decision to play 2024 home football games in KC
LAWRENCE (KSNT) - KU football will not host any home games on campus in 2024.
The Jayhawks are in the midst of a $300 million project on their football stadium, but it won't be complete until the summer/ fall of 2025. For that reason, the program will play its home games in Kansas City in 2024.
KU Athletics says the six games away from Lawrence will provide fans a better experience than possible at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, since the stadium will be in the midst of construction. Plus, the university says, avoiding games there will help keep construction on schedule to be complete by the start of the 2025 season.
"This plan for the 2024 season has an incredible number of benefits for our student-athletes, our fans and supporters, our campus partners and the Kansas Football program." KU Athletic Director Travis Goff said in a statement sent out by KU Athletics. "While we are disappointed we can’t play in Lawrence, ultimately, we want to create the best possible experience for all involved, and playing two games at Children’s Mercy Park and four games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium allows us to do that. It has been a thrill to see construction begin in earnest in Lawrence on the Gateway District and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and this decision allows that construction to continue on a necessary timeline while also benefiting the overall budget of the project and the 2024 fan experience."
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The slate will feature four games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and two at Children's Mercy Park. Click here for KU's full 2024 football schedule.
Fans can still purchase season tickets to KU's home games, including a six-game package starting at $275, according to KU Athletics.
Single game tickets are not expected to be sold for the two games at Children's Mercy Park due to high season ticket holder demand. The Jayhawks plan to sell single-game tickets for the games at Arrowhead.
"We are excited for the unique opportunity to play our home games in the Kansas City metropolitan area in 2024," KU Chancellor Douglas Girod said in a statement from KU Athletics. "While we had hoped to play these games in Lawrence, the move to alternate venues is needed to ensure that our fans, student-athletes and all constituents have the best possible gameday experience and that we stay on schedule to complete construction for the 2025 season. We recognize this move is not ideal for some members of the Lawrence community, and we hope they will understand this is a necessary one-year move to ensure the Gateway District can begin benefitting Lawrence as soon as possible in 2025."
Click here for K-State's full 2024 football schedule
KU head coach Lance Leipold, who enters his fourth-season leading the program, is on board:
“This is an exciting move for our team as these are two well respected and exciting venues to watch a sporting event," Leipold said in a statement. "I’m confident our fans will be able to create a ‘home field’ that our players will be energized to play in. Our administration has done an excellent job of partnering with both organizations and venues during our construction phase. This will allow the project to continue its path to completion in a timely manner and provide the best competitive advantage for our team during the transition.”
The Jayhawks open the season against Lindenwood at Children's Mercy Park on Aug. 31.