The 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most challenging for the Kansas City Chiefs, who, for the first time since 2014, will be missing the playoffs.
But the franchise received a boost on Monday when they announced they will be relocating their stadium to Kansas state proper, in a new domed stadium.
The Chiefs, who have played at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri, will continue to play there until the end of their lease in 2030 before making the move in time for the 2031 NFL season.
As part of the announcement made on Monday, a group of lawmakers in Kansas confirmed an incentive package had been approved.
The Legislative Coordinating Council in Topeka voted to authorize the use of Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds to help finance a new $3 billion domed stadium and adjacent development in Wyandotte County.
“Today we are excited to take another momentous step for the future of the franchise,” explained Chiefs owner, Clark Hunt.
“In the years ahead, we look forward to designing and building a state-of-the-art domed stadium and mixed-use district in Wyandotte County, and a best-in-class training facility, team headquarters and mixed-use district in Olathe, totaling a minimum of four billion dollars in development in the State of Kansas.”
Missouri reaction, and benefits to the move
Arrowhead Stadium is among the most storied venues in the NFL. Opening in 1972 as part of the Truman Sports Complex, it has been the backdrop for five decades of Chiefs lore and is widely known for its raucous, devoted fan base and tailgating culture.
The move triggered a wave of reaction in Missouri. Jackson County interim executive Phil LeVota said residents “are disappointed that the Chiefs are taking measures to build a new stadium in Kansas and abandoning the iconic Arrowhead Stadium that has so much history to the area and to the National Football League.”
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe echoed that sentiment, expressing disappointment and reaffirming the state’s prior efforts to retain the team.
“The State of Missouri is the best home for the Kansas City Chiefs … Unfortunately, team ownership has decided to abandon Lamar Hunt’s legacy at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium, a place that Chiefs fans have rallied around since 1972,” Kehoe said.
Mayor Quinton Lucas also expressed a sense of regret at hearing the news, saying, “While the Chiefs aren’t going far away and aren’t gone yet, today is a setback as a Kansas Citian, a former Chiefs season ticket holder, and a lifelong Chiefs fan.”
Chiefs President Mark Donovan acknowledged the magnitude of the moment in the team’s public communications, underscoring that while the geographic location of home games will change, the organization’s competitive ambitions and connection to its fan base remain steadfast.
In addition to the domed stadium, designed to position Kansas City as a contender to host future Super Bowls and NCAA Final Fours, the plan’s economic implications include job creation, tourism expansion, and long-term regional development.
The enclosed design opens the door to year-round events and major national showcases that were logistically challenging at an open-air venue.
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