A.  Union Station’s Front Parking Lot will be closed weeks ahead of the Draft to allow for the substantial physical setup of the football field sized Draft theater structure and related elements.  It will be exciting to watch it all take shape and Union Station guests will still be able to conveniently park in our West Yard Garage (covered parking structure immediately to the West of the Station) with easy, covered access directly into our building, attractions, restaurants, retail, tenants, and office spaces.

• Front and Triangle Parking Lots are now fully closed to traffic and will remain so until approximately May 13th

• Freighthouse/Pedestrian Bridge to Crossroads will close to the public from April 26th – May 1st

• LINK between Union Station and Westin Crown Center closed from April 26th – 29th

• Pershing Road Westbound– Currently closed thru approximately May 13th

• Pershing Road Eastbound will close between Kessler and Main Street on April 10th – with access to the Union Station campus remaining open from West Pennway/Broadway Blvd

JUST ANNOUNCED:  A limited number of ADA Parking spaces in Union Station’s West Yards Garage for the NFL Draft are now available.  Parking for individual days is $50 and available for pre purchase using the link below.  These spaces are limited and intended for those in need.

Purchase Here

Specific ADA West Yards Garage hang tags will be issued and MUST BE picked up at Union Station’s Ticket Office during the days and hours listed below.  If you are not able to or do not pick up your hang tag during these dates and times, you will not be granted access to the garage during the NFL Draft, regardless of purchase.

Hang Tags MUST be picked up at Union Station’s Ticket Office from 9:30 am – 4 pm Thursday April 20^th– Saturday the 22^nd and 11:30 am – 4 pm Sunday the 23^rd.   The TICKET OFFICE is located on B Level of Union Station.  Please enter the Station on B Level from the West Yards Garage.

IMPORTANT:  Use of the West Yards Parking Garage ADA hang tag permit will also require the driver or occupants of the vehicle have a state issued ADA hang tag or ADA license plate along with the West Yards Parking Garage ADA permit.

A.  The NFL Draft is a massive and impressive installation.  We anticipate between 150 – 200 truckloads of staging, tenting, equipment and technology to arrive over the course of the setup.  As Kansas City’s place to celebrate, Union Station is versed in large-scale installations and this will be one of the largest yet.  We’re excited to watch, along with our entire community, this historic event unfold.

A.  Union Station has been planning for this event for several years.  Along with close coordination with VisitKC, we’ve anticipated how any disruptions to our normal operations will impact us financially and we’ve worked hard to ensure all risk is minimized.  We were big fans and active supporters of bringing the NFL Draft to Kansas City from the very beginning and we know the financial boom to our community will be substantial.  A rising tide raises all boats, and Union Station is already feeling the upside of that tide.

A.  As the coming days and weeks unfold, we’ll be able to share more detailed information regarding various guest reroutes and short-term closures.  In fact, conversations today forecast shorter disruptions than we originally anticipated, perhaps only days rather than weeks.  Regardless, our communications will be robust and regular.  If you’re planning to visit Union Station for any reason, you’ll have access to complete information as soon as we know it.  For now, we are confident that access to our attractions, retail, restaurants, tenants, and office spaces will be available through April 23^rd.  Details for the week of April 24^th are still being worked and finalized.

From AMTRAK:

Kansas City Union Station – NFL Draft Event Affects Station Access

Effective April 26, 2023

Street closures around Kansas City Union Station for a National Football League event will change traffic patterns and prevent access to the station for Amtrak passengers.

Wednesday-Sunday, April 26 – 30

A temporary passenger pick-up and drop-off point has been established on West 25th Street, between Jefferson Street and West Pennway Street. An accessible shuttle service will be provided to and from the station. Ride-share services will also be directed to that location.

No parking is available at the station for the period, only the free shuttles or a 15-minute walk to the train platforms from the temporary 25th Street location.
Shuttle schedule: 5:30-8:30 a.m., 1:30-3:45 p.m. and 8:45-10:45 p.m. local time.

Allow Extra Time: No Less Than Two Hours Prior to Departure

Follow signage to the temporary pick-up and drop-off point southwest of the station. Trains will not wait for passengers who arrive late. For a map of the pick-up and drop-off location, please see this page.

A.  (See answer above.). Also, Union Station takes both a short-term and long-term view of this topic.  We have great confidence the “glow” from the NFL Draft will be substantial and lasting.  Financially, we’re going into this historic event with vibrancy and vitality.  We’re welcoming record numbers of guests already this year and had a record-setting, post-pandemic 2022.  Union Station is on a roll and focused on maximizing every opportunity and helping Kansas City shine.

The NFL encourages fans to leave all bags at home and come to the draft without any bags. For people who need a bag, keep in mind that they must meet the following requirements.

• Bags must be clear
• Bags must be smaller than 12X12X6 and consistent with the NFL’s Clear Bag Policy (Exceptions made for medical needs)
• Bags/purses will need to be carried through screening
• Lockers provided to store large bags

Cell phones and small cameras are allowed. Fans can also carry in binoculars to get a better view of the Draft stage.

Professional-grade cameras and recording equipment are only permitted for members of the media who are credentialed through the NFL.

Strollers are allowed at the NFL Draft and Draft Experience. All bags and blankets must be removed and screened by X-ray. They will also be physically inspected.

Each fan is allowed to carry an empty water bottle into the Draft area.

Refilling stations are available around the grounds.

Smoking and vaping are not permitted in the Draft Experience or Draft Stage area.

In addition, there is a long list of items that are prohibited at the NFL Draft and NFL Draft Experience.

The list includes:

• Alcohol
• Illegal substances
• Animals (except service animals)
• Laser pointers
• Beach balls, balloons or other inflatable devices
• Bottles, cans, thermoses, coolers, aerosol cans, cups, beverage containers of any kind
• Motorized scooters and skateboards
• Chairs, stools, or other seating devices, unless medically necessary
• Noisemakers, whistles, and horns
• Drones
• Poles, sticks, missile-like objects of any kind
• Tripods
• Weapons of any kind, including firearms, weapons, knives, Mace/pepper spray, explosives
• Fireworks, pyrotechnics of any kind
• Frisbees
• Umbrellas
• Offensive or obscene clothing, banners or signs including the use of language or gestures: Concerning a person’s race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, creed, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression of national origin. To instigate, incite or encourage a confrontation or physical assault, including headdresses and face paint referencing American Indian cultures and traditions.
• Any other item deemed inappropriate by the NFL or Kansas City Metro Police Department

The NFL wants the Draft to be a safe and enjoyable experience for all fans. To make that possible, the league asks each fan in attendance to refrain from the following, or avoid being kicked out of the event:

• Unruly, disruptive or illegal behavior
• Intoxication or other signs of drug or alcohol impairment resulting in irresponsible behavior
• Offensive language or obscene gestures
• Interference with the progress of the event (including throwing objects)
• The use of drugs (including marijuana), or smoking (including vaping and smokeless tobacco)
• Failing to follow instruction of Draft personnel
• Verbal or physical harassment of any other fan or person
• Conduct that results in damage to the event site or other personal property
• Any conduct deemed inappropriate or dangerous to fans, participants, or team members
• Violations of any NFL policies, Jackson County ordinances, state, federal or other applicable laws or regulations

Anyone who needs help while at the NFL Draft can visit one of the Fan Services locations for assistance.

Issues and concerns can also be reported by texting NFLDRAFT and a brief description of the issue to 690050.