Kansas City Chiefs’ long-standing connection with Missouri appears set to end after state leaders in Kansas approved a historic deal that opens the door for the franchise to relocate across the state line.
The agreement, finalized on Monday, marks a turning point not just for Chiefs but for the broader economic landscape of Kansas.
Kansas approves historic incentives package
Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously to approve an incentives package designed to attract Kansas City Chiefs and support the construction of a new stadium and surrounding development.
The decision came from the eight-member Legislative Coordinating Council, clearing the most significant hurdle in a process that has been building momentum for months.
Governor Laura Kelly described the agreement as transformational during a press conference, emphasizing its scale and long-term impact.
She called it “the largest economic development project in Kansas history,” underscoring the projected minimum of $4 billion in total development and the creation of more than 20,000 jobs.
Kelly also labeled the agreement a “total game changer” that would influence the state for generations to come.
New stadium plans and financial structure
Under the approved package, Kansas will utilize its Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bond program to help finance a new Chiefs stadium and adjacent development.
State law allows Kansas to cover up to 70% of stadium costs using future sales tax revenue generated by the project itself, rather than relying on new taxes or cuts to existing state services.
The new stadium is expected to be built in Wyandotte County, while plans also include a new Chiefs headquarters and practice facility in Olathe.
A new stadium alone is estimated to cost around $3 billion, not including additional facilities. While officials have not disclosed the exact size of the public subsidy or the precise stadium site, the framework positions Kansas as the financial frontrunner.
Lieutenant Governor David Toland echoed the significance of the move, stating the deal represents “the largest economic win in Kansas history.”
Chiefs signal commitment to Kansas
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt confirmed the franchise’s intent to relocate, signaling a major shift after decades in Missouri.
In a statement, Hunt said the team has “agreed with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season.”
That timeline aligns with the expiration of the team’s current lease at Arrowhead Stadium, which ends in January 2031.
Chiefs have played at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972, making the potential move the end of more than 60 years tied to Missouri.
Momentum toward relocation increased after Jackson County voters rejected a stadium sales tax extension in April 2024, prompting Kansas lawmakers to advance their STAR bond plan aggressively.
What happens next
With the deal approved, the project now moves into its design and planning phase. Kansas City Chiefs are expected to begin hiring architects and contractors in the coming months, laying the groundwork for one of the most ambitious sports infrastructure projects in the region.
While Missouri lawmakers later passed a competing incentives package covering up to 50% of stadium costs, Kansas’ more aggressive proposal appears to have tipped the scales. If completed as planned, the agreement will not only redefine Chiefs’ home but also reshape Kansas’ economic and sporting identity.