Germany, England, Australia: Fans travel abroad to Kansas City for Chiefs home opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens at home, for some Chiefs fans this will be their first time experiencing a game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Fans from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Australia are all in town for the home opener.

Fans from across the pond

A group of 10 are from England and another group of 10 are from Germany.

“To step into the airport was like mind-blowing because it was a dream to come here,” said Magdalena Seuren, who is from Germany.

A fan for about two years, Seuren first learned about all things KC Chiefs on social media.

“That caught me and so I became a Chiefs fan,” said Seuren.

Christian Molitor became a fan when he had neighbors who were Chiefs fans from America living in Germany.

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“I’ve dreamed a long time for this moment.”> and it is really exciting and amazing,” said Christian Molitor, who lives in Germany.

Julia Molitor became a fan because of Christian.

“America it is big the NFL is so big but in Germany, it is only a little piece of them, you don’t go out and see any football fans,” said Julia Molitor, who lives in Germany.

They all had the chance to experience their first Chiefs game in Frankfurt last year when they took on Miami.

Father-son duo from down under

All the way from Australia, father-son duo Stuart, and Caleb Matters are in town for their first-ever Chiefs game in person.

“When Montana came over and came to Kansas City the colors red and white I love that and so that is why I chose the Chiefs not really knowing where or anything about the team other than that then it grew from there over the last 35 years,” said Stuart Matters, who flew in from Australia.

His son, Caleb has come to love the Chiefs just as much as his dad. They watch all the games together when finished with their days as the games play at a different time for them.

“Super Bowl we take the day off from school, I let him take the day off we make waffles and have a big feast but it is just the two of us,” said Stuart.

Both are excited to be surrounded by fans on game day as Australia doesn’t have many rooting for the Chiefs.

Experiencing Kansas City

This is the first time in Kansas City for all these fans.

“To step into the airport was like mind-blowing because it was a dream to come here,” said Seuren.

It’s been an exciting few days for each of them.

“It is my first time here in Kansas City it is amazing, the people are amazing, the city is amazing, and everywhere is red,” said Julia.

People from here are so nice and it is so cool seeing all the people wearing Chiefs jerseys and all the homes having Chiefs flags.

“It’s been a whirlwind couple of days yeah just super excited to be in Kansas to finally be here after all of these years of being a fan,” said Stuart.

They’ve checked out Arrowhead ahead of the game.

“To see all the Chiefs stuff I was like oh my gosh can we move here,” said Caleb.

Of course, they got to try some great food including Kansas City BBQ.

“It’s very big but it tastes good but we cannot do it every day,” said Seuren.

They are looking forward to seeing what game day will hold.

“It is more than just a ball game,” said Christian.

Feeling the energy of Chiefs Kingdom, all thanks to their host Chiefs super fan KC Glitzn, Catherine Baskett.

“I love giving them the experience that I get to experience all the time and I’m so blessed all the time I say to go to all these games,” said KC Glitzn, Catherine Baskett.

Baskett has hosted international fans and fans from the states for many years, including her NFL Sister, Nikki McGlockton who goes by ‘Tally Jag,’ and roots for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Both work as ambassadors for their teams for Bully Global 32, an NFL Fan Club with all 32 teams that spread anti-bully and anti-violence messages to schools, communities, and NFL games.

“We are trying to turn it this thing to where it is fan of fans and we can have our own teams but we can all just be friendly but it is something, it is extra special to have people come and see your home stadium and actually host them and just be a part of the reason that they got to see it and to have people like Maggie say like she will remember this for the rest of their life,” said Tally Jag, Nikki McGlockton.

Baskett said she loves to help others and spreading her Chiefs fandom is one way she’s doing just that.

“There is nothing like taking somebody over to Arrowhead and that complex for the first time and they tear up and you feel what they feel and what you felt that first time,” said Baskett.

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Many of these international fans have stayed true to the Kansas City Chiefs for years just like those locally.

These fans are looking forward to seeing their favorites on the field with their signs of support ready.

“Andy Reid with his burger and stuff and they’ve got all their rings and I just made it ‘cause I love the Chiefs,” said Caleb when showing off his Chiefs art.

They are making the most of their first time in Red Kingdom.

“We will talk about it when we are old and gray, do you remember the first time at Arrowhead,” said Julia and Seuren.

They are grateful for this experience and ready for what’s ahead: game day.

“To see that first play when you know the game is really started I think that is going to be magical,” said Stuart.

They are hosting a big tailgate with Baskett tomorrow and calling it the ‘United Nation’s Tailgate’ as this sport has connected so many.

“If it is a football game that brings us together so be it but it means the world to me I mean there is something even if we have a language barrier we are able to communicate, hugs, loves, cheering, smiles,” said Baskett. She added, “We are the world’s team we truly are the world’s team.”

The Chiefs and Ravens kick off at 7:20 p.m. on Thursday.

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