Domed stadium planned in Wyandotte County as part of statewide public private partnership.
Kansas is officially landing the Kansas City Chiefs.
State leaders and the Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday that the organization has reached an agreement to relocate major operations from Missouri to Kansas, anchoring a new domed stadium and entertainment district in Wyandotte County and a separate headquarters and training facility in Olathe.
“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement. “With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family. This is a game changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”
According to the State of Kansas, the project is expected to create more than 20,000 construction jobs and generate more than $4 billion in total economic impact. Once operational, the stadium alone is projected to produce more than $1 billion in annual economic activity each year.
The Wyandotte County portion of the agreement includes a roughly $3 billion enclosed stadium designed to host NFL games, major concerts, and national events year round. The stadium is expected to open at the start of the 2031 NFL season. Plans also call for a surrounding mixed use district that could include hotels, restaurants, retail, office space, entertainment venues, and residential development. Final site boundaries will be determined as planning and design move forward.
Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said the move reflects the organization’s long term vision and commitment to its fan base.
“Today is an extraordinary day in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs,” Hunt said. “We are excited to partner with the State of Kansas to bring a world class stadium to our fans. This project represents another step in our legacy of innovation and our fan first mentality, which started with my father, Lamar Hunt. The stadium, practice facility, and surrounding development will benefit the entire region, and further elevate Kansas City in the eyes of the country and the world.”
The project will be financed through a public private partnership, with approximately 60 percent of the stadium cost funded through Sales Tax and Revenue bonds, commonly known as STAR bonds, along with the Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund. State officials emphasized that the financing structure will not require new statewide taxes or draw from the current state budget, relying instead on new sales tax revenue generated by the development.
Local leaders in Wyandotte County also praised the agreement. Christal Watson, Mayor and CEO of the Unified Government, called the deal a historic opportunity for the community.
“This is an extraordinary economic win for our state thanks to the effort of Governor Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Toland,” Watson said. “All of us in Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kansas are excited to work with the Chiefs and are committed to driving results that strengthen our region and uplift our community.”
The agreement was approved Monday by the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council with bipartisan support. Additional approvals, design work, and infrastructure planning are expected in the months ahead, with construction anticipated to begin once final financing and site details are completed.
For Kansas, the deal represents more than a stadium project. It marks a major shift in the region’s economic and cultural landscape, firmly placing one of the NFL’s most successful franchises on the Kansas side of the state line.
