Kansas City Chiefs Announce Relocation Plans After 60 Years at Arrowhead

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that they will leave Arrowhead Stadium, their home for nearly 60 years, to move to a new domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, set to open in 2031. This decision follows a unanimous vote by Kansas lawmakers to issue STAR bonds to cover up to 70% of the stadium's estimated $4 billion cost.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt emphasized that the team's games will remain a premier experience, stating, 'Our fans will still be the loudest in the NFL.' The new stadium will be located near the Kansas Speedway and The Legends retail district, and is expected to seat about 65,000 fans, which is around 10,000 fewer than Arrowhead.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly described the announcement as historic, claiming it would have a lasting impact on Kansans. The Chiefs had previously considered renovating Arrowhead, but after local funding proposals failed, they opted for the new facility.

This move is particularly significant for Missouri, which has now lost three NFL franchises, following the departures of the Cardinals and Rams. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his disappointment, stating, 'Arrowhead Stadium is more its family, tradition and a part of Kansas City we will never leave.' Meanwhile, discussions about the future of the Kansas City Royals, who share the Truman Sports Complex with the Chiefs, are also in flux as they explore their own options for a new stadium.

The Chiefs' planned $300 million practice facility will be located in Olathe, Kansas, further solidifying their commitment to the area. The Chiefs' departure marks a pivotal moment in the franchise's history and could reshape the sports landscape in both Kansas and Missouri.