The Kansas City Royals announced changes to Kauffman Stadium that will reshape the outfield, effective with the 2026 season. The changes will move the walls closer to the field, increasing offensive action and bringing fans closer to the play.
The outfield wall will move in between 8 and 10 feet starting near each foul pole, reducing the gaps from 387 feet to 379 feet, before tapering back toward center field, which will remain at 410 feet. The wall height will also be lowered from 10 feet to 8.5 feet in most areas. The renovations will add approximately 150 seats in left field and 80 drinkrail seats in right field. Construction is already underway and is scheduled to be completed before the Royals’ home opener against the Minnesota Twins on March 30.
Royals baseball operations officials say the decision was made for competitive reasons, supported by research indicating the changes would move Kauffman Stadium from the bottom third of Major League Baseball parks in fly-ball run value to the middle of the pack. Team research shows the adjustments would have benefited the Royals over the past three seasons, even accounting for additional extra-base hits by opponents.