Kansas City Royals Fund Free Museum Access for 50,000

For the fifth February in a row, anyone can walk into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City without paying a dime, thanks to the Royals.

The Kansas City Royals Foundation is covering all admission costs throughout February as part of their Black History Month celebration. Since starting this tradition in 2020, they've welcomed more than 50,000 visitors and contributed over $435,000 to keep the museum accessible.

"This impactful community outreach initiative makes the museum more accessible for students, particularly those from underserved communities," said NLBM president Bob Kendrick. The museum tells the story of athletes who faced tremendous obstacles yet changed baseball forever.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the only national museum dedicated to preserving African American baseball history. It sits in Kansas City's historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, just two blocks from where Andrew "Rube" Foster established the Negro National League in 1920.

The Ripple Effect

The free admission program does more than boost visitor numbers. It connects young people from underserved neighborhoods to stories of courage and perseverance they might never encounter otherwise.

Royals CEO John Sherman calls it "a no-brainer" that helps tell an important American story. The team has deep roots in the neighborhood through their Urban Youth Academy and continues supporting the museum's expansion plans.

Students can learn about players who loved the game so much they overcame segregation and discrimination to play it. These aren't just baseball stories but lessons in resilience that resonate far beyond the diamond.

The museum extends its hours throughout February, opening seven days a week instead of its usual Tuesday through Saturday schedule. That means more families, more school groups, and more people can discover this essential piece of American history.

What started as a single month of free access has become a beloved Kansas City tradition that grows stronger each year.