The Kansas City Chiefs are one again SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! The third time they’ve done so in the last five years. On Sunday, February 11th, they beat the San Francisco 49ers.
That means, we’re going to have another Chiefs Parade! Us locals have been to the last two and have some insider advice on how to make the most of this years celebration. Trust us, you’ll want to plan ahead.
This parade will cost more than previous years – Mayor Quinton Lucas is budgeting $975,000 with the Kansas City Sports Commission for the festivities. Last year’s parade cost the city $750,000.
INSIDER TIP: The best decision we made for the parade in 2020 was to go ahead and reserve a room at a hotel along the parade route even before the Super Bowl game. The rooms are already starting to book up for this year. We have a separate article with all the details for hotels along the parade route – check it out!
When Is the Chiefs Super Bowl Parade?
The victory parade will be on Wednesday, February 14th – yes, Valentines Day. And it will begin at 11:00am. The victory rally at Union Station will begin when the parade ends, around 12:45pm. The rally is scheduled to last about an hour.
Last year, Patrick Mahomes told the rally crowd, “This is just the beginning. We ain’t done yet. So I’ll make sure to hit y’all back next year, and I hope the crowd’s the same.”
Don’t let him down!
Where is the Chiefs Super Bowl Parade?
Just like the previous parades, it will take place in the heard of downtown Kansas City, Missouri – keep reading for parade route information.
Chiefs Super Bowl Parade Route
This year, the parade will be similar to previous years with the exception of it going through City Market.
The route will begin on Grand Boulevard and 6th Street and head south to Pershing Road where it will turn west to Union Station.
In total, the route is two miles.
The rally will take place in front of Union Station and will begin at 12:45pm. If the rally is what you are most interested in, we recommend you find a spot on the north lawn of Liberty Memorial/WWI Museum.
What Time Should I Get to the Chiefs Parade?
If you went in past years, you know that attendees of the parade can expect large crowds and major traffic issues. Our recommendation is to get there early in the morning – perhaps even before sunrise. In previous years, lines along the route began at 6am.
In 2023, they began closing down streets around Crown Center and along the route the day before. So, the best move is to get a hotel room near the route to avoid figuring out how to get transported downtown the day of the parade.
How Do I Get to the Chiefs Parade?
We recommend staying in a downtown hotel the night before to avoid having to fight traffic on the day of the parade.
Public Transportation and Shuttles
KC Streetcar
On Wednesday, February 14, KC Streetcar passenger service will be available at all streetcar stops except Union Station. Service will occur from 6:00am until 10:30am. The plan is for the streetcar to operate with 10 – 12 minute frequencies.
Starting Wednesday morning, riders and parade goers must exit the KC Streetcar at the Crossroads southbound stop. Northbound travelers may board the KC Streetcar at the Crossroads northbound stop.
Streetcar service will resume once the tracks are clear between 20th Street and Pershing Road.
Notice of the resumption of service will be posted on the KC Streetcar website, social media channels, and communicated through our RideKC Notify text alert service. Sign up for notification of resumption of streetcar service by texting “streetcar” to 816-685-8541.
Park and Ride Shuttles
Park and Ride shuttles without roundtrip service provided will run from 7:00am – 10:30am, and then again from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
NOTE: Riders need to return to the drop off location for their specific shuttle. Please account for possible wait times at park and ride locations of up to 45 minutes.
Former K-Mart at Chouteau and Vivion
2835 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119
Event Dropoff and Shuttle Pick-up: Truman Road & Lydia
HyVee Arena / West Bottoms
1800 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO 64102
Event Dropoff and Shuttle Pick-up: 18th & Troost
Swope Park/Zoo
6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO 64132
Event Dropoff and Shuttle Pick-up: 31st & Gillham
Oak Park Mall
11149 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66214
(95th and Neiman Road Park & Ride location)
Event Dropoff and Shuttle Pick-up: Avenida Cesar E Chavez & Southwest Boulevard
47th Street State Transit Center
849 N 47th St, Kansas City, KS 66102
Buses will drop off and pick-up at Hy-Vee Arena, where passengers will make a transfer to Ride KC buses heading to 18th and Troost
Downtown Parking Restrictions
There will be parking restrictions along and around the parade route. These restrictions go into effect at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 13, and extend into the evening on Wednesday, February 14.
Cars parked in temporary no parking zones or on the interstate will be towed at owner’s expense. Cars parked on the interstate will be relocated at owner’s expense.
Most parking lots around the parade site will be charging for parking, including the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Union Station and Crown Center.
You can travel to downtown by scooter or bike – see information from RideKCBike or Bird scooters.
Please keep in mind:
- Scooters and bikes will not be permitted to ride in road closure areas
- Be mindful of pedestrians and do not ride on sidewalks
- Obey traffic laws
Downtown Street Closings
Please note that downtown streets and buildings will begin to close on Tuesday, February 13th:
- Union Station will be closed to public access beginning Tuesday, February 13 at 11:59pm. It will reopen on Wednesday, February 14 at approximately 4:00pm. There are great Chiefs photo ops inside Union Station!
- The streets running east and west of Grand Blvd will be closed between Walnut & McGee from 6th street on the north to Pershing Road on the south. Street closures will be in effect beginning at 11:00am Tuesday, February 13.
- Main Street, from 20th Street to Pershing Road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on Wednesday, February 14.
- Main Street from Pershing Road to 27th Street will be closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians. Additional closures on Main from 27th to 31st will be in effect when the parade starts.
Vehicle Traffic Crossings
Vehicular Traffic will be allowed to cross at the following locations until Wednesday morning, February 14, at 8:00am.
- 7th Street / Admiral Blvd
- Truman Road North and South
- 18th Street
- 12th Street (until 11:59pm on Tuesday, Feb. 13)
- 13th Street (until 11:59pm on Tuesday, Feb. 13)
Pedestrian Traffic Crossings
Pedestrian Crossings along the parade route on Grand will be available at the following locations. Please look for the large red feather flags to indicate crosswalk.
- 9th Street
- 13th Street
- Truman Road
- 18th Street
- 20th Street
Motorists should avoid the areas along and around the parade route, including Grand Blvd, Pershing Road and Main Street. Drivers should use alternate routes and allow for extra time when traveling in the area.
What About Cell Phone Reception During The Chiefs Parade?
In previous years, the large crowds meant that cell phone signal was pretty weak in the downtown area. You can expect the same this year.
We recommend you plan meeting points for your group in case you can’t get ahold of one another.
Best Hotels For The Chiefs Super Bowl Parade
Assuming the parade route would be similar – if not the same – as the route for the previous parades, below are the hotels around Grand Boulevard in Kansas City.
*As of Saturday, February 10th, many of these downtown hotels have just a few rooms left for next week. Close areas to downtown that we recommend would be a hotel on the Country Club Plaza (10 minute drive to downtown) or in Westport (5 minute drive to downtown).
For more details, including pictures, of the hotel options, visit our complete guide to parade route stays.
Hotels Near The Chiefs Rally at Union Station
If you want to be near the stage for the rally at the end of the parade, the below hotels are the closest options.
Keep in mind: if you only book for Tuesday the 13th, many hotels will have check out times in the morning or early afternoon on the 14th. So, you would need to have everything out of your room and possibly be out of the parking garage before the parade begins. It may be worth it – and what we personally did for previous parades – to book both nights.
Sheraton at Crown Center (Marriott Property)
Connected to Crown Center – ideal for families.
Hotel Indigo Kansas City Crossroads (IHG Property)
Trendy hotel in a restored paint brush factory – an 11 minute walk to Union Station.
Hotels Within 6 Blocks Of The Parade Route
These hotels are listed from north to south, so from towards the beginning of the parade route towards the end at Union Station.
Upscale, historic art-focused hotel.
Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown (IHG Property)
Comfortable, modern hotel in a historic 1930s building.
Hotel Phillips Kansas City (Hilton Property)
Historic 1930s building with an art deco lobby and minimalist rooms – located close to Power & Light for those post-parade celebrations.
Upscale, large hotel connected to the KC Convention Center.
Hotel Kansas City (Hyatt Property)
Trendy, historic hotel in a 1920’s building – located close to Power & Light for those post-parade celebrations.
Crowne Plaza Kansas City (IHG Property)
Comfortable, large hotel.
The President Hotel (Hilton Property)
Upscale, historic hotel from the 1920’s.
Modern, trendy – and one of the most pet-friendly hotels in town!
Residence Inn (Marriott Property)
Comfortable hotel in Crossroads Arts District.
Comfortable hotel in Crossroads Arts District.
Midtown Hotel Options
If you’re not set on staying downtown, the midtown neighborhoods are a great option as well, and just a short drive to downtown.
If you’re looking to continue the celebratory atmosphere after the parade, we recommend you book a hotel in Westport, one of the city’s main nightlife districts.
The Country Club Plaza is another great neighborhood to stay in – there are several excellent hotel options on the Plaza that locals recommend.
Planning to spend time in Kansas City beyond the parade? Check out our recommended guided tours and activities!