The 2016 Kansas City Royals season was the 48th for the franchise, and their 44th at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals entered the season as the defending World Series champions determined to become the first team since the 1999 New York Yankees to win back-to-back World Series titles. The season started on April 3 with a World Series rematch at home against the New York Mets. The first series began with a 10 mile long relay of the first pitch from Kansas City Union Station to Kauffman Stadium benefiting the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy. The Royals were eliminated from postseason contention with one game yet to play, marking four straight World Series champions that missed the playoffs the following year. They finished the season with an 81–81 record and third place in the division.