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Spending the night with Chiefs Tailgaters

early tailgate.jpg
Chargers Chiefs Football
Posted at 12:00 AM, Jan 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-20 11:44:09-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — 41 Action News Reporter Jordan Betts is taking the plunge and spending the entire night and into the morning with Kansas City Chiefs fans as they wait in line for the parking lot to open.

Look for updates from outside the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot all night on KSHB.com. You can also follow the 41 Action News Instagram and Facebook for play-by-play action at the gates before they open. Jordan will also be posting from her Twitter account as well.

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10:15 a.m. | While Jordan is back at the station defrosting her toes, Lindsay Shively and Taylor Hemness are hanging out in Lot J. This lot goes the extra mile for not only Chiefs fans, but also the opponents fans. That's right, you will see a see of red and blue hanging out.

9:00 a.m. | You can feel the excitement and nervousness of Chiefs Kingdom at Arrowhead. Fans said they don't want a repeat of last years championship game, but know the Titans are pretty good. I also think KC bought every fire pit in town after seeing just tons of them lit up around tailgates. If you aren't at the stadium right now, all you hear is people yelling "Chiefs" and putting

8:15 a.m. | And they are off!! Chiefs fans got through the gates sooner than expected. Cars zoomed in as if they were at the Kentucky Derby. Fans wanted to make sure they got they usual tailgating spot. Let me tell you, never steal a fans spot. Never a good idea. Also, it has gotten a lot colder and people are breaking out the hand warmers.

6:15 a.m. |Okay, I think word has gotten out and fans are arriving! The line is already getting decently long. Chiefs tailgaters who do this often are giving me tips on how they stay awake all morning and through the game. Some say a nap is needed. I like this idea. Others though said they just power through it. I just think coffee might be the answer for this.

5:00 a.m. | The smell of breakfast is in the air at Gate 5 at Arrowhead. Bacon, eggs, hot chocolate is flowing and everyone is huddled around heaters. Fans who are here are all talking about last year's AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. I think every Chiefs fan remembers that game. A few I talked with said they have nightmares from that game and are happy not to see Tom Brady today. What's funny is no one wants to talk about "the big game" that could happen. They all keep saying "let's get through today and then we can talk about that game."

3:45 a.m. | The regular tailgaters have arrived and set up their tents. Inside those tents, a few heaters (which makes it very warm inside) and they are cooking. The group that set up the tent is called "The Gate Five Squad". It consists of folks from Wichita and Lawrence. They feed anyone who gets there early food like omelets, bacon, and anything you can imagine! I am hungry just writing this.

3 a.m. | As I am typing this, two more cars showed up! I went over and talked to one group that was setting up their lawn chairs and got here around 1:15 a.m. That's when I met John and Shane from Kansas City. The friends have loved the Chiefs ever since they can remember. They told me they are usually the first ones in line. But, they will settle for second as another car beat them here by a few minutes. I am starting to get a tad tired. These are the times I wish I liked/drank coffee.

2:05 a.m. | We are making moves, people! Two cars showed up in the past hour. Like most people would do at this hour, they fell asleep as soon as they put the car in park. Don't blame them! The tiredness hasn't set in for me yet. But, read this in a few hours and I will probably have a different story to tell.

1:12 a.m. | Now on hour two. Arrowhead lights are now off and very quite over here. Got word on Twitter that some fans will be here soon! Woo!

11:58 p.m. (Saturday) | And I have arrived at Arrowhead! To my surprise, there is only one car here and it's an RV. Last year when the game was much later than today's game, there were several cars here by 8 p.m. That is almost 12 hours before kick off!! It's breakfast time for me, or late dinner?