Chiefs Moving to Kansas
Written by Julie Underwood Burton
A Game Changer for Kansas
Written by Julie Underwood Burton
An historic announcement was made in December by Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt that the franchise’s stadium will be moving from Missouri to Kansas. The agreement was approved by the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) with strong bipartisan support and will be a public–private partnership between the state and the Chiefs organization.
The project is estimated to cost $3.3 billion, and the new stadium is slated to open in Wyandotte County for the start of NFL 2031 season. The Chiefs will also move their headquarters and training facility to Olathe in Johnson County.
Working with the LCC, Kansas State Senator Ty Masterson, President of the Senate, was a key leader in facilitating this exciting opportunity for Kansans.
Chiefs CEO, Lamar Hunt, Senator Ty Masterson and Mark Donovan, Chiefs President
Q&A With Senator Ty Masterson
Q. Tell us about the economic impact the new Chiefs stadium project will have for the state of Kansas.
A. The new stadium is anticipated to create 20,000 construction jobs, 4,000 permanent jobs, billions in economic activity, and will bring millions of new visitors to our state. Best of all, this incredible deal will not cost Kansas taxpayers one penny.
Q. One of your requirements for approving the stadium deal was that it would not lead to higher taxes. What is the primary advantage of funding the stadium with STAR bonds?
A. This is a public–private partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs that requires no new taxes and no funding from the current state budget. A portion of the project infrastructure is financed through STAR bonds (which are repaid over time from the growth the project produces) and a portion from the team.
Q. What types of mixed-use developments are planned alongside the new facilities?
A. The Hunt Family is committing $1 billion in additional private development, ensuring that public participation is matched by substantial private investment and long-term accountability. In addition to watching the big games on Sunday, there will be plenty of new restaurants, bars, hotels and entertainment for everyone to enjoy throughout the year surrounding these projects. Also of note — any cost overruns are on the team and there is a cap on the STAR bond portion.
Q. Everyone is asking: What will a domed stadium mean for the Chiefs and for the Kansas City area?
A. A modern NFL stadium positions the region to compete for Super Bowls, college football playoff games, NCAA Final Fours and large concerts. These are events Kansas City cannot host today. This stadium will bring national exposure to Kansas and long-term economic returns for decades to come.
Q. In your opinion, what are the greatest things fans can look forward to on opening day in 2031?
A. The fan experience will be greatly enhanced by this new stadium — and not just the seats and the view, but additional amenities will be available to the fans. Traffic flow in and out of the stadium will be vastly improved along with the overall tailgating environment.
Q. There are lots of emotions about leaving Arrowhead since it has been the home of the Chiefs since 1972. Do you have a favorite memory you can share?
A. I will never forget being there and sharing in the excitement when we won the AFC Championship.
Q. What are you personally most excited about with this move for the Chiefs?
A. I’m just excited to root for the Chiefs right here in Kansas with my family and friends. I’m also excited we were able to bring this historic economic growth opportunity to our state.
“Today, Kansas won the Super Bowl. This is a huge win for Kansas.” — Senate President Ty Masterson
