ASICS KC MLK Tournament 2027: Kansas City parent travel guide

Getting there and around

• Kansas City International (MCI) About 20 miles north of downtown; usually 25–35 minutes by car or ride-share.
• Multiple venues Matches are split between the Kansas City Convention Center (Bartle Hall, Municipal Arena, Exhibition Hall) downtown and Hy-Vee Arena and Hale Arena, a few miles away. Check your team's site each day before you plan rides.
• KC Streetcar The KC Streetcar runs along Main St through downtown, a few blocks from Bartle Hall, and connects the River Market, Power & Light and Crown Center/Union Station areas. Check its site for hours.
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Housing rules (stay-to-play)

• Book through Team Travel Source Hotels for this event are booked through Team Travel Source (TTS). Teams are accepted once they register on AES with payment and reserve rooms through TTS. Families must follow the event's housing rules.
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• Local teams Teams within 65 miles are considered local and are exempt from the hotel requirement.
• No PlumJar hotel deals here Because of the stay-to-play rule, PlumJar is not lining up hotel deals for this weekend. Ask your club which TTS hotel your team is in.

Eating near Bartle Hall and team dinner tips

• Power & Light District (about 0.5 mi) A few blocks east of the convention center, with many sit-down restaurants and sports bars that seat large groups. PlumJar has no confirmed deals with any restaurant listed here; these are public listings to help you plan. Call ahead for groups.
• Crossroads and Union Station (about 1 mi) The Freight House building on W 22nd St (Jack Stack Barbecue and others) and Union Station restaurants are popular for team dinners. Kansas City barbecue is a crowd-pleaser for hungry players.
• Crown Center (about 1.5 mi) Family-friendly restaurants plus things for siblings (Legoland Discovery Center and SEA LIFE aquarium).
• Plan around late waves The PM wave can run until 10 PM, so book a late table or plan pickup or hotel delivery.
• Team dinner tips MLK weekend Saturday and Sunday are the busiest nights. Book a big table at least a week ahead and ask about a set group menu. Tell PlumJar your team's needs once and we'll email options as restaurants confirm.
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Parking

• Bartle Hall, Municipal Arena, Exhibition Hall Use downtown Kansas City garages; Heart of America links parking directions on its event page. Arrive early for the 8 AM wave.
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• Hy-Vee Arena and Hale Arena These share city-owned lots that may charge for parking, cash only. Bring cash.

Weather and what to pack

• For the player Two or three uniforms, knee pads, court shoes (plus spare laces), ankle braces or tape, a big water bottle and recovery snacks.
• For the family Kansas City in mid-January is cold: highs often in the 30s°F, nights in the teens or 20s°F, with a chance of snow and ice. Bring warm coats, gloves and boots for walking between garages and venues, plus layers, a seat cushion, a portable charger and snacks.

Schedule tips

• Schedule release Heart of America posts schedules to AES the week of the tournament. Team check-in is listed as TBD.
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• Waves The AM wave runs 8 AM to 2:30 PM and the PM wave 2:30 PM to 10 PM.
• Monday finish The event ends on Monday, Jan 18 (MLK Day). Book flights or plan the drive home for Monday evening if you can, and watch winter weather forecasts.

Prices, schedules and offers change; check each source before you go. PlumJar is an independent service for traveling families, and the PlumJar service is free for families. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Heart of America Volleyball, the venue or any business listed, except where a deal is marked confirmed.

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