KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County, including Independence. planned move from Missouri to Kansas, but nearly all of them agreed on one thing — a Super Bowl would make it worth it.
The Chiefs are set to open a new domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, for the 2031 season. The prospect of hosting major events, including a Super Bowl and NCAA Final Fours, excited fans who made the trip to St. Joseph, Missouri, for the first public practice of the 2026 season.
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James Nelsen, a 15-year season ticket member from Booneville, Iowa, said he is still holding out hope the move does not happen.
"Honestly, I'm still kind of hoping that I wake up one day and they say, 'No, we're just kidding; we're staying at Arrowhead,’” Nelsen said. “But I don't think that's going to happen."
Walter Johnson, a Chiefs season ticket member for 20 years, said he has accepted the reality, even if he didn’t want the team to move.
"I don't have a choice,” he said. “It's a done deal. I've already cried. Done deal."
His son, Alex Johnson, who attended training camp Wednesday with his family, said the trade-off could be worth it — though he wished it came with one condition.
"You know, if it was on the Missouri side, I think it'd be worth it,” he said with a laugh. “But I'll take it, you know."
Not everyone was reluctant.
Judy Grame, who attended training camp Wednesday with her family, said she is fully on board.
"I'm thrilled about the move,” she said. “I live in Platte City, Missouri, so it's closer to home, and I think we need some changes."
Janel Zion, who also attended training camp Wednesday with her family, said the new stadium opens the door to something Chiefs fans have long wanted.
"We've been at every playoff game at Arrowhead, and it's absolutely amazing when they win, so it'd be wonderful to have a Super Bowl here in this city,” she said.
A Super Bowl is not the only major event a domed stadium could attract.
The Chiefs and the Kansas City Sports Commission are expected to bid for events like Final Fours in the future as well, with bids for the NCAA’s signature event in 2032 and beyond due this fall.
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