'We are a touchdown state': Chiefs to relocate stadium to Wyandotte County in 2031

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas City Chiefs will relocate to Kansas and build a sports complex in Wyandotte County and Olathe, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt announced Monday.

"Today, we are excited to take another momentous step for the future of the franchise," Hunt said on a website dedicated to the new stadium. "We have entered into an agreement with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season. In the years ahead, we look forward to designing and building a state-of-the-art domed stadium and mixed-use district in Wyandotte County, and a best-in-class training facility, team headquarters and mixed-use district in Olathe, totaling a minimum of $4 billion of development in Kansas."

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In an interview with KSHB 41 News reporter Charlie Keegan following Monday's announcement, Hunt said the team will cover 40 percent of the $3 billion stadium cost. You can watch more of Hunt's interview in the video player below.

Monday's announcement did not include any renderings or specific locations of the stadium within Wyandotte County or the team's training facility and headquarters in Olathe. Hunt says those details will be worked out in the coming months.

Earlier Monday, the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council met in executive session to review details of the economic incentive package that helped bring the team over to Kansas. By using STAR bonds, revenue from sales and liquor taxes in the district will help to repay the development costs. The legislation allows STAR bonds to be used for up to 70 percent of a project's cost.

After about an hour in executive session, the LCC came back into open session and unanimously approved using STAR bonds for the Chiefs project.

“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level. 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,” Gov. Kelly said. “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.”

Kelly says the development is expected to generate 20,000 jobs and economic development from sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel and residential properties at both the Wyandotte County and Olathe locations.

Kelly described the agreement as a "public-private" partnership that "requires no new funds from the current state budget and no new taxes on Kansans."

The Kansas Department of Commerce built a website detailing some of the particulars of the agreement.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Monday afternoon, calling Monday "a great day for Kansas City Chiefs fans."

"This public-private partnership, the result of a thoughtful and deliberate process, will build upon the Hunts' generational legacy by boldly investing in one of America's greatest fan bases," Goodell said. "The Chiefs' new enclosed stadium will be the stage for unforgettable moments, whether it's playoff games, concerts or championship events. We congratulate the Chiefs and the Kansas City community on this important achievement."

Monday's news was met with disappointment from Missouri officials.

“State leaders did our part in putting together an attractive and competitive package that was a good deal for Missouri taxpayers and for the Chiefs,” Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said Monday. “Unfortunately, team ownership has decided to abandon Lamar Hunt’s legacy at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium, a place that Chiefs fans have rallied around since 1972.”

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said he understood the financial reasons the Chiefs moved to Kansas.

“Although our conversations with the team extended to as recently as late last week, we understand our very fair, but very reasonable financial offer of taxpayer support was surpassed this far by an even more robust public financing package in Kansas,” Lucas said. “We are professionals and understand the Chiefs have a business to run and today made a business decision.”

Here's how it all went down this afternoon:

UPDATE, 3:50 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas released the following statement after the Chiefs announced plans to move to Wyandotte County.

“I received a call earlier today from Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan informing me that the Chiefs currently intend to leave Arrowhead Stadium upon the end of their lease with Jackson County following the 2030 season. Shortly thereafter, I received a very gracious call from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly informing me of the same."

“Business decisions are a reality, and we all understand that, but Arrowhead Stadium is more—it’s family, tradition, and a part of Kansas City we will never leave.”

UPDATE, 3:40 p.m. | Kansas City Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman released the following statement after the Chiefs announcement Monday.

"On behalf of the Kansas City Royals, I want to wish the Hunt family and the entire Chiefs organization all the best on this important day. Though a few more miles may separate us in the future, let’s continue our work as we build a world-class championship sports legacy for the Kansas City region."

UPDATE, 3:17 p.m. | Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said the team will work over the following months to develop plans for the sports complex in Wyandotte County. The team plans to open the facility in 2031.

UPDATE, 3:12 p.m. | In a news conference Monday, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly confirmed the Chiefs will relocate to Kansas with a "world-class" facility in Wyandotte County.

UPDATE, 2:30 p.m. | Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D - Kansas City) released a statement critical of Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe.

"Governor Kehoe's mishandling of efforts to keep the Chiefs in Missouri is a major reason the team is poised to relocate across the border," Aune said.

Aune also referenced the state's efforts to repeal its income tax.

"In recent weeks, Kehoe has undermined the viability of (the stadium plan) by calling for the elimination of state income taxes," Aune said. "With no income tax, the tax credits at the center of Missouri's proposal would become largely worthless. Since the fate of the fate of the Royals remains in play, the governor must stop undercutting the value of Missouri's stadium package and get a deal done."

Missouri State Rep. Mark Sharp (D - Jackson County) issued a statement critical of Monday's announcement.

"As a Kansas Citian and a Jackson County resident, my heart goes out to a fan base that remained local through decades of disappointment long before the recent success of the Patrick Mahomes era," Sharp said. "That loyalty built Chiefs Kingdom - and it deserved far better than what has unfolded.

Here's Sharp's full letter:

KSHB

UPDATE, 2:20 p.m. | As we await the 3 p.m. special announcement from Gov. Kelly, here's a quick look at the action today from the LCC.

Lawmakers voted unanimously to allow STAR bonds to be used to cover up to 70 percent of the cost of a stadium and accompanying district.

The bonds would be paid off from sales and liquor tax revenue generated within the STAR bond area.

John Hanna/AP

UPDATE, 2 p.m. | A quick reset here. The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council returned from executive session and authorized a vote on using STAR bonds to finance a Chiefs stadium in Kansas.

Following the vote, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe called a 3:30 p.m. news conference in Jefferson City to react to the Kansas announcement. We'll stream that live in this post.

The Kansas LCC has completed its work. Our next event to watch is Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's "special announcement," scheduled for 3 p.m.

UPDATE, 1:45 p.m. | The LCC has returned from executive session and this is the scene at the Kansas statehouse:

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m. | A quick update: The LCC continues to meet in executive session. Keep monitoring the feed above for when they return.

In the meantime, Kevin has moved inside the Statehouse where organizers are setting up a Chiefs-themed event.

UPDATE, 1:15 p.m. | As the Kansas LCC meets in executive session, KSHB 41 anchor Kevin Holmes is outside the state capitol where Chiefs flags are being put up.

UPDATE, 1:07 p.m. | Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt and Chiefs President Mark Donovan were in the first row of the gallery before the LCC moved to go into executive session.

Charlie Keegan/KSHB

UPDATE, 1:05 p.m. | The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council has convened.

Within the first five minutes, LCC Chairman, Sen. Ty Masterson (R - Andover) announced the council will meet with the Kansas Commerce Secretary in closed session to review the professional sports complex proposal.

UPDATE, 12:30 p.m. | KSHB 41 political reporter Charlie Keegan just received the agenda for today's Legislative Coordinating Council meeting in Topeka.

1) Consideration and approval of minutes
2) Authorization of certain statutory joint committees to meet during the 2026 Legislative Session
3) Consideration and possible approval of request for House Standing Budget Committees to meet prior to the commencement of the 2026 Legislative Session
4) Consideration of matters related to a STAR Bond district and project for a major professional sports complex.

The Council is set to meet at 1 p.m. in Room 346-S at the Kansas Statehouse.

UPDATE, 11:45 a.m. | While Monday's meetings and announcements in Topeka are dominating the headlines, there's another significant economic development story happening back in Kansas City.

The Port KC Board of Commissioners are set to review an incentives package for the Country Club Plaza that could help spur redevelopment and stabilization of the area.

We learned a few minutes ago that Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinto Lucas will touch on both the Chiefs stadium announcement and the Country Club Plaza redevelopment package at his news conference this afternoon at 4 p.m.

UPDATE, 11 a.m. | Much of the debate around where the Chiefs and Royals will wind up after the stadium musical chairs has centered around the stadiums themselves.

For the Chiefs, there's also the issue of a practice facility.

The team currently trains at the University of Kansas Health System Training Complex at the Truman Sports Complex.

If the team decides to construct a new stadium elsewhere, it might be a little strange if the club kept its training facilities at the same spot.

The team has not revealed any details about the training facility, through last week's announcement from the Kansas Department of Commerce might have provided a clue with this line (we've bolded the relevant part):

“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."

We'll have to stay tuned.

UPDATE, 10 a.m. | KSHB 41 political reporter Charlie Keegan will be in Topeka throughout the day. He says the LCC agenda includes several agenda items, most of which don't involve discussion about the Chiefs stadium financing. He says legislators will likely work through those non-Chiefs-related items first.

You can watch the LCC meeting in the video player below starting at 1 p.m.

UPDATE, 8:30 a.m. | The Associated Press reports that Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt and other team officials will be in attendance at the LCC meeting in Topeka.

UPDATE 7 a.m. | On Friday, Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota launched Operation Save Arrowhead.

LeVota followed up on that effort over the weekend, sending a pair of letters dated Dec. 31 to Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt and Chiefs President Mark Donovan.

The letters outline some additional funding and incentive sources that LeVota believes make staying in Missouri the better option for the Chiefs.

You can read those letters below.

READ | LeVota details tax incentives and credits
READ | LeVota outlines 'Enhanced stadium incentive package'

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