With Arrowhead Stadium’s lease expiring in 2031 and past funding efforts failing at the ballot box, new proposals and political pressure have reignited speculation that the Kansas City Chiefs could eventually cross the state line. While officials on both sides stress that no deal is final, the next few months could shape where one of the NFL’s most iconic teams plays for decades.
Kansas Makes Aggressive Push for a New Chiefs Stadium
Kansas lawmakers are preparing to consider STAR bonds that could fund up to 70% of a new stadium project, a move that would dramatically change the stadium race. The Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet on Monday in Topeka, Kansas, where approval would signal a serious financial commitment aimed at luring the Chiefs.
“The state of Kansas is in active discussions with the Kansas City Chiefs about the prospects of building a new stadium and other facilities in Kansas,” the Kansas Department of Commerce said in a statement. “No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come. We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.”
The leading location is The Legends, a major shopping and entertainment district in Kansas City, Kansas, which includes Kansas Speedway, Hollywood Casino, and Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City. Its location near Interstates 70 and 435 also makes it attractive for traffic flow.
“The state of Kansas is in active discussions with the Kansas City Chiefs about the prospects of building a new stadium and other facilities in Kansas,” the Kansas Department of Commerce said in a statement, via NFL.com. “No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come. We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.”
Missouri’s Plan to Keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium
Missouri officials insist the Chiefs are not leaving Arrowhead Stadium without a fight. Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota pushed back strongly against the idea that Kansas has already won the franchise.
“Kansas has some lofty ideas but no plan,” LeVota said to KMBC9 News. “Missouri does. We have a plan, and it is in Jackson County, Missouri.”
LeVota said Chiefs President Mark Donovan told him directly that no agreement has been finalized. In response, Jackson County is advancing a new ballot initiative called “Operation Save Arrowhead,” which would appear before voters in April 2026.
The proposal would lower the county sales tax from 3/8 cent to 1/4 cent, beginning in 2031, while still funding a significant renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. Under the plan, the Kansas City Royals would no longer be tenants at the Truman Sports Complex, though LeVota said the county remains committed to keeping the Royals in Jackson County through a separate solution.
According to LeVota, the Chiefs have committed $400 million toward renovations at Arrowhead Stadium if the Missouri plan moves forward. Additional funding would come from the state’s Show-Me Sports Investment Act and the city of Kansas City, though specific amounts have not been disclosed.
LeVota acknowledged that voters previously rejected a stadium-related tax initiative, but believes the revised approach will resonate differently.
“I believe they will overwhelmingly pass a ballot initiative extending the tax and even lowering it,” he said. “We are going to lower the tax and keep the Chiefs.”
Stay tuned as the story develops.
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