Kansas City Chiefs announced they will leave their longtime home at Arrowhead Stadium for a new domed facility near Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, 30 miles from the current stadium.
Chiefs’ Move and Kansas Bond Package
The announcement came after Kansas lawmakers approved a bond package earlier in the day to help fund the new stadium. The facility will be built near the retail district known as The Legends and the Kansas Speedway, marking a significant shift for the franchise.
Missouri’s Efforts to Keep the Chiefs
Missouri lawmakers had been working to retain the Chiefs with a special legislative session in June, backed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. The session authorized bonds covering up to 50% of stadium costs, up to $50 million in tax credits per stadium, and unspecified local government aid.
Counterproposal and Mayor’s Response
Mayor Quinton Lucas has been collaborating with local lawmakers on a counterproposal to keep the Chiefs in Missouri. He stated, “We understand our very fair but very responsible financial offer of taxpayer support was surpassed by an even more robust public financing package in Kansas,” and added, “The Chiefs have a business to run and today made a business decision. We wish them well.”
A History of Missouri Losing Teams
Missouri has lost two NFL franchises in the past decade. The Cardinals left for the Phoenix area in 1988, and the Rams departed for Los Angeles after failing to secure funding for a new stadium. The Rams’ new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, cost more than $5 billion.
Other Sports Franchises That Left Missouri
The Athletics moved to Oakland after the 1967 season, the Kings relocated to Sacramento in 1985, and the Kansas City Scouts became the Colorado Rockies. Sporting Kansas City, once an MLS club at Arrowhead, now plays at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas.
Ty Masterson’s Take
Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson remarked, “I feel like Kansas won the Super Bowl,” reflecting the regional pride surrounding the Chiefs’ relocation.
Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadiums
Both the Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals share the Truman Sports Complex, with Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadiums a few hundred yards apart. The complex is celebrated for its tailgating culture and baseball fountains.
Chiefs’ Recent Performance
The Chiefs, currently 6-9, have been eliminated from playoff contention this season. They have appeared in the last three Super Bowls and the previous seven conference title games, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the team to three championships.
Royals’ Recent Success
The Royals won their second World Series in 2015 and returned to the playoffs after the 2024 season. They are led by Bobby Witt Jr. and have achieved a second consecutive winning season.
Royals’ Future Plans
The Royals have stated they will not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2031 season. Their preference is to build a new downtown ballpark, but an $800 million renovation plan for Arrowhead was defeated by voters in Jackson County.
Royals’ Land Purchase in Kansas
Through an affiliate, the Royals have purchased the mortgage for a tract of land in Overland Park, Kansas, indicating a potential shift in their home base.
Fan Reactions – Dustin Allen
Blue Springs resident Dustin Allen said, “I don’t think it is the greatest idea,” and added, “I think that where they have it is a very nice spot. I will say that the traffic over there is always fun. I think it’s nice to have them downtown in some way, shape or form.”
Fan Reactions – Mike Robinson
Season ticket holder Mike Robinson from Kansas City, Kansas, expressed concern about ticket prices, stating, “I’m pretty sure prices will go up,” and continued, “That’s what I’m concerned about. A brand new stadium. Season ticket holders may not be able to keep up with their tickets with the rising prices.”
Fan Reactions – Analaysia Miller
Chiefs fan Analaysia Miller, visiting Union Station with her children, said, “It is just whatever they want to do,” and added, “As long as they are still in our city, representing for our city. That’s all that matters to me.”
Quinton Lucas on the Stadium’s Legacy
Lucas recalled, “Years ago as a kid, my family was homeless for a while and we lived in a motel not too far from the stadium,” and added, “I knew we struggled, but I believed nothing was cooler than living within a stones’ throw of what I thought then and today is the greatest stadium in football.”
Lucas on Family Memories
He continued, “Like a lot of parents in Chiefs Kingdom, my single mother scraped some money together to get me to Arrowhead for my first game – 300-level upper deck for a 30-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills in 1993. I’ve been hooked ever since.”
Key Takeaways
- Chiefs will relocate to a new domed stadium 30 miles from Arrowhead.
- Missouri’s bond package fell short of Kansas’s robust financing.
- Fans express mixed feelings about ticket prices, traffic, and the franchise’s future.
The Chiefs’ departure marks a significant change for Kansas City, with implications for local businesses, fan experience, and the broader sports landscape in Missouri and Kansas.
