So sadly, my quest for All Star Game tickets did not come to fruition. After signing up for the lottery, asking everyone I knew if they had any “in” for tickets, and trying to grab them when they went on sale a week ago and failing miserably, I have finally realized that it’s not going to happen. Which is a huge bummer for a huge baseball fan. Ugh! The ALL STAR GAME is going to be in Kansas City and I won’t be there. (Yes, I know there are still tickets available from third-party outlets. No, I will not be paying $1000 per ticket for them).
But, as I teach my kids, “You don’t always get what you want.” So, I plan to make the most of Kansas City hosting the All Star Game by taking advantage of the other fun events that will be happening here during the All Star Break. Here are just some of the fun things you can do with your family in July!
MLB All-Star FanFest
All-Star FanFest is hours of fun for the entire family, with the ultimate goal of bringing America’s pastime to life through five days of interactive exhibits, meet-n-greets, photo opportunities, and moving tributes to the game. It’s all happening Friday, July 6 – Tuesday, July 11. The regular price is $30 for adults and $25 for kids, but be sure to check out the website for the special deals they are offering for certain days of the Fan Fest…you can get in for as little as $15 per person!
All-Star FanFest attractions:
- Pitch against life-size video images of your favorite sluggers in the FanFest Bullpen.
- Step up to the plate against today’s best pitchers in the Video Batting Cages.
- Race around the bases in the Steal Home Challenge.
- Live the life of a Major League broadcaster and record your own play-by-play.
- Can’t make it to Cooperstown? Cooperstown will come to Kansas City, with a display of unforgettable artifacts from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Go back in time with the compelling Negro Leagues exhibit.
- FREE autographs from baseball legends and members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Come take a photo with the World's Largest Baseball signed by Hank Aaron, Ted Williams and more!
All-Star Charity 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike – Sunday, July 8 at 7:30 a.m. CT
The All-Star Charity 5K & Fun Run will return after a one-year hiatus. Participants in Kansas City will run and walk on an All-Star themed course, featuring appearances by MLB legends, mascots and celebrity guests. All net proceeds from the event will be donated to three charities committed to research and education: Prostate Cancer Foundation, Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. All registered finishers will receive a commemorative All-Star medal and T-shirt. Registration and event information is at AllStarGame.com/5k.
Taco Bell All-Star Sunday – Sunday, July 8 beginning at 4 p.m. CT
This one is a little more expensive, but still MUCH less than the All Star Game itself…tickets range from $50-$175 and include a ticket to Fan Fest.
Sunday provides an opportunity for families, celebrity seekers and baseball fans to watch future stars of MLB and current stars of the silver screen at Kaufmann Stadium. All-Star Sunday begins with the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Players who have competed in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game include current Royals Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Luke Hochevar.
Fans will continue to be star-struck as the day concludes with the Taco Bell Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. The All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game is a fun, five-inning game that features Major League Baseball legends with celebrities from TV, movies and music. Single game tickets to Taco Bell All-Star Sunday range from $50 to $175 and include one single admission ticket to MLB All-Star FanFest.
You will definitely find our family at Fan Fest that week…my baseball-loving kiddos are going to be in heaven! Hopefully this post has given other disappointed non-ticket-holding fans out there some hope that you, too, can get involved in the All Star Game fun (without spending your kids’ college tuition on game tickets). Be sure to get your tickets to these events soon…there are many of the special deals that are expiring as the game gets closer. Oh, and if you know anyone who has All Star Game tickets they are trying to unload, let me know.