The Milwaukee area has a big Kansas City Chiefs fan group. Here's what to know about 'em ahead of Super Bowl LVII.
The Kansas City Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl — for the third time in four years. And the Milwaukee-area's Chiefs fan group isn't taking it for granted.
"It's just the wildest thing in the world," said Josh Kingsley, who organizes the fan group with a handful of other locals who bleed red and gold. "I can remember growing up, just being part of the 'one before I die championship or Super Bowl appearance' as a fan. And now, it's three in five years. It's just wild."
The Chiefs are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kansas City last won it all in 2020. Their other Super Bowl title came back in 1970.
Here's what to know about the local fan group, from the chance encounter that brought them together to how they're celebrating the big game.
How did the Chiefs Milwaukee-area fan group get started?
In September 2013, Kingsley went to Buffalo Wild Wings in West Allis to watch a Chiefs game with his family.
"We heard a bunch of people cheering at the same time I was," Kingsley previously told the Journal Sentinel.
He went over to introduce himself to these fellow fans, who were Bob Larsen of Milwaukee, Nick Schweitzer of Wauwatosa and Kris Crow of Hubertus. Coincidentally, the three of them stumbled upon each other at B-Dubs around 2010 and had been meeting up for games since.
After Kingsley joined the crew, they created a Facebook group, facebook.com/groups/mkechiefsfans, and got their meeting spot listed on the Arrowhead Addict’s Chiefs Bars Page.
What does the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group do?
The group mainly watches Chiefs games together, and also typically meets up for the NFL draft.
Where does the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group meet to watch games?
The group meets at Brookfield's Buffalo Wild Wings, 16750 W. Bluemound Road G, to watch games.
They use the back room, which they call "the wolf den" after their team's mascot, K.C. Wolf.
What kind of atmosphere does the group try to create on game days?
"We try to make things as close to a game day experience at Arrowhead as possible," Kingsley said. "It's really just based around community and everybody having a good time watching football."
Now, this might get the group some brownie points with cheeseheads: Kinglsey thinks Arrowhead Stadium and Lambeau Field have "the two best atmospheres" in the NFL. But if he had to pick one, of course, he'd stay true to his team.
The watch parties are also a family-friendly festivity, Kingsley said. His kids attend just about every one that he and his wife do.
What is the purpose of the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group?
To find every Chiefs fan in the area who wants to have people to cheer on the team with, Kingsley said.
"It's just to create a community for Chiefs fans in the area," said Kingsley, who grew up in Hays, Kansas. "Being a transplant myself and always just looking to connect with people that have similar interests, we just want to make that available to everyone."
How many members does the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group have?
The Facebook group currently has nearly 300 members. Between 20 and 30 of them attended regular season watch parties this year. That number jumped to between 50 and 60 during the playoffs.
During the 2020-21 season, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, about 15 members showed up for regular season games, and between 30 and 40 for the playoffs. They sat at socially distanced tables, wore masks when not eating or drinking, and didn't roam around like in other years, Kingsley said in a previous interview. About 80 people ended up attending the Super Bowl gathering in which the Chiefs fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
During the 2019-20 season, the group had about 150 members, with about 30 who consistently met up for games. About 100 people went to the watch party for the 2020 Super Bowl in which the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers.
How has the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group evolved over the years?
"More than anything, we've gotten to be just better personal friends," Kingsley said.
Oftentimes, group members initially "meet" via the group's Facebook page, then those relationships regularly turn into friendships. Kinsgley said he's even been to members' weddings.
The group originally was meeting up at Buffalo Wild Wings in West Allis. When they needed a larger space, they moved to their current Brookfield location.
In December 2020, the group launched the MKE Chiefs Podcast on YouTube. Their episodes have garnered a total of over 33,700 views.
Within the past couple of years, the group has become a part of Arrowhead Kingdom, an all-volunteer national network of Chiefs fan groups. Basically, if you're looking for a Chiefs fan group in a particular state (or Puerto Rico), you can visit the group's website and easily find out where they meet.
Kingsley has been helping out with this national effort, by running a column section on the website, contributing columns, doing data entry, and more.
Since Kingsley travels a lot for work, he said he's constantly looking for "kindred spirits" to catch games with.
"That's always something that makes me happy," he said. "The idea of being able to make that available for other people was right in my wheelhouse."
What is the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group doing to celebrate Super Bowl LVII?
The group will meet at its regular spot, "The Wolf Den." It will be decked out with flags, banners, professional lighting, a photo booth and more.
Organizers are also planning to create a "social wall experience" featuring photos and messages from Chiefs fans across the country, Kingsley said.
"Putting that party on for the group is one of the things that I just really enjoy and look forward to," he said. "I'll take that opportunity as many times as I can. And not take any of these for granted 'cause you never know what's gonna be the last one."
How does a group organizer think the Chiefs will do?
"I'm expecting this to be a good game that comes down to the wire," Kingsley said. "But I think the Chiefs pull it off."
How to join the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group, find more info
"The most important step is to show up," Kingsley said.
People can also join the Facebook group, facebook.com/groups/mkechiefsfans. Or for more information, visit the group's website at mkechiefsfans.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee-area Kansas City Chiefs fan group's Super Bowl LVII plans
