For more than half a century, the Kansas City Chiefs called Missouri home. That era is officially ending. On Monday, the franchise announced it will build a brand new stadium and move across the border into the State of Kansas, with home games beginning in 2031. And yes, Missouri politicians are probably staring at the wall right now wondering how they let this happen.
The Chiefs made it clear this is not some half baked plan. “The work is just beginning, but we’re excited to bring our vision to life with the State of Kansas in 2031,” the team said. Translation, this thing is happening, and it is happening fast. The move follows Kansas lawmakers approving a major funding proposal for a $3 billion domed stadium to replace the aging Arrowhead Stadium, which has been standing since the early 1970s.
According to ESPN, the new stadium will be built in Wyandotte County, paired with a new headquarters and training facility in Olathe, Kansas. Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt called it “an extraordinary day” for the franchise and praised the partnership with Kansas, saying the project will benefit the entire region and elevate Kansas City’s national profile. That last part stings a little for Missouri, which just watched its most valuable sports asset pack up and leave.
The financing plan is aggressive but politically clever. Kansas lawmakers unanimously approved the use of STAR bonds to cover up to 70 percent of the stadium cost. Those bonds will be paid off using sales and liquor tax revenue generated in the surrounding district. No new taxes, no hit to the state budget, and a massive economic development project. Whether those projections pan out long term is always the question, but Kansas clearly decided it was worth the gamble.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly could barely contain her excitement. She declared Kansas a “touchdown state” and bragged about 20,000 construction jobs, a projected $4.4 billion economic impact, and more than $1 billion annually once the stadium opens. Politicians love big numbers, but even allowing for some optimism, this is a major win for Kansas.
The symbolism matters too. Clark Hunt compared the move to his father Lamar Hunt taking a risk by helping launch the AFL decades ago. The Hunt family has never been afraid of bold moves, and this one reshapes the regional sports landscape.
Of course, the timing makes sense. The Chiefs are at the peak of their powers, appearing in five of the last six Super Bowls and winning three titles behind Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. When you are the NFL’s gold standard, you have leverage, and Kansas used that leverage to land one of the league’s crown jewel franchises.
Fans will argue about tradition, parking lots, and tailgates. Missouri fans will feel betrayed. Kansas fans will feel validated. In 2031, the Kansas City Chiefs will still be the Chiefs, but they will be doing their winning on the Kansas side of the line. And Missouri will be left explaining how it lost a dynasty.
