Saturday’s playoff game between the Chiefs and Dolphins may see temperatures dip as low as negative 4 degrees, even before wind chill. Before visiting Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City supporters should be aware of the following.
This weekend, Kansas City will be showing the visiting Miami Dolphins a very chilly shoulder. Not because of the outcome, but rather the potential for history in this postseason matchup.
According to the most recent estimates from the National Weather Service, Saturday’s Chiefs kickoff will be at a temperature of minus one degree, with a wind chill of minus twenty-one.
And it only gets worse from there: Arrowhead Stadium may reach a freezing-4 degree temperature by the conclusion of the game, with a negative-26 wind chill.
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The medical director of the Burnett Burn Centre at the University of Kansas Health System, Julia Slater, states that given the temperatures predicted for Saturday, the chance of developing frostbite is just 30 minutes.
It’s anticipated that the playoff game would break the record for the coldest game ever played at Arrowhead Stadium. According to Pro Football Reference, that record has long been held by a 1983 Chiefs-Broncos game in which the temperature ranged from 1 to 0.5 degrees.
Even yet, Saturday’s temperature won’t come close to the coldest game in NFL history, which was the 1967 NFL Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. The temperature was minus thirteen degrees, with a wind chill of minus forty-eight.
Despite the possibility of frostbite, hypothermia and a severe head cold, many Chiefs supporters still plan to show their support at Arrowhead, and consider the temps as a badge of pride.
According to Independence resident Shane Gill, “if this turns out to be the coldest game on record, it’ll be one for the ages.” “I want to let people know that I attended.”
Naturally, Kansas residents may watch the game on KSHB-TV, channel 41, at 7 p.m. Central Time, from the comfort of their own homes. You may watch the game on Peacock if you’re not in the urban area.
“Be ready to endure some discomfort.”
There won’t be any attendance records broken during Saturday’s game, based on the cost and availability of tickets. Tickets may be had for as little as $40 (before fees, of course) on StubHub and Ticketmaster for a typically sold-out stadium.
Even whether Taylor Swift, a regular at Arrowhead, would withstand the heat is unknown, though she’ll probably have a more comfortable seat indoors.
KCUR talked with a number of fans who had previously intended to attend the game but eventually decided against it due to health issues and a dislike of being outside for long periods of time.
However, those inexpensive tickets also provide a unique chance to witness a Chiefs team headed for the Super Bowl up close. Leanne Breiby, a resident of Hyde Park, intends to occupy one of those frigid chairs.
Breiby remarks, “I might have second thoughts if it was a regular season game.” But it’s obvious when it comes to the playoffs. You have to be present if you have a season ticket.
Breiby has been attending Chiefs games with her friend Lara Mueting, who also has a season ticket, for many years. They have even dubbed themselves “The Chiefs Wives.”
Both of them are realistic about what they’re going into. Breidy claims that even if it’s chilly, they’re prepared for it.
“I’ll probably actually wear two full coats. I’m going to use a vintage Chiefs starting jacket as a second coat, Breiby explains. “The real trick we found is that you can insulate your feet from the cold ground by using cardboard to stand on.”
Season ticket holder Will Rusch, 30, said to KCUR’s Up To Date that he even had plans to tailgate prior to kickoff. He intends to arrive to the parking lot at around 11 a.m. with about fifty family members.
The majority of their time will be spent inside their heated bus, which they have dubbed “Tequila Gator.” It’s customary in the family.
Rusch remarks, “They’ve been doing it longer than I’ve been alive.” “Well, this is the fourth bus we have owned. Now, this one resembles a bread truck with new purposes. I also have full crock pots with warm meals and layers upon layers of clothing.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have issued a list of suggestions for spectators. According to a spokesman, spectators are permitted to carry cardboard into the stadium for standing as long as it fits the specifications for banners and placards, which state that the dimensions of the cardboard cannot exceed 3′ by 5′.
Participants may bring blankets (so long as they don’t have pockets or zippers) and portable chargers (so long as they don’t exceed 6″ by 3″ by 1.5″) for heated apparel. You may also bring one 20-ounce or less factory-sealed water bottle. A comprehensive list of forbidden objects is available here.
Gills is prepared to take extra measures as well in anticipation of what he believes will be a fantastic game.
Gills says, “I don’t wanna (sound harsh).” But really, just be ready to endure a little pain because I believe the Chiefs will do admirably. It’s also statistically true that the Dolphins do poorly at temperatures below forty.
The Miami Dolphins had lost their previous ten games in a row when the temperature was 40 degrees or lower, according to the Associated Press. They lost by an average of 17 points in each of those games, so Gills might not be dreaming.
However, in the last ten home games where the temperature dropped below 40 degrees, the Chiefs had only lost one of those games.
“Leave now and keep out of the cold.”
Regardless of how well players, crew, and spectators claim to be ready for a freezing football game, they run a serious danger of hypothermia and frostbite by being outside in such frigid temperatures.
The most popular tip for battling these situations is to dress in layers. However, Slater at the Burnett Burn Centre clarifies that fans should consider their wardrobe choices more carefully.
“You want loose layers because then warmer air gets trapped in there and helps warm you a little bit better,” adds Slater. “Also, make sure to protect your fingers, toes, nose, chin, and ears—the areas where frostbite is most common concern.”
Slater also suggests that supporters cut back on or give up alcohol consumption.
According to Slater, “it can actually make frostbite worse because it does sort of change how your blood is circulating.” “The symptoms of hypothermia itself may even be confused with signs of excessive alcohol consumption.”
Confusion, fatigue, memory loss, speech slurring, and lack of motor function are some of these symptoms.
Drinking may also be more hassle than it’s worth because most beers have a freezing point of about 28 degrees depending on their ABV (and that’s even before you throw in the costs at Arrowhead).
Slater asserts that regardless of how the game is playing out on the field, one of the most crucial things spectators can do to prevent frostbite is to simply get out of the cold and remain warm.
The most hazardous situation, according to Slater, is to thaw up a frozen portion of tissue and then immediately remove it. “You need to get outside and stay out of the cold so that you don’t do more damage if there’s any concern that you are developing frostbite.”
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