Kansas City Chiefs’ Move to Kansas Sparks Economic Buzz and Big-Time Potential in KCK
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City Chiefs are making a move that’s bigger than football - and folks in western Wyandotte County are already feeling the ripple effects.
On Monday, the Chiefs officially announced plans to relocate from Missouri to Kansas, with a brand-new domed stadium set to rise near the Village West area of Kansas City, Kansas. And while the move won’t happen overnight, the long-term implications are already being felt by local business owners, city officials, and fans alike.
For entrepreneurs like Pratik Jnawali, who owns Village West Discount Liquors just off Parallel Parkway, the news felt like hitting the jackpot.
“When we heard the news, we were like, good for us, good for everybody, good for Kansas,” Jnawali said Tuesday.
Jnawali bought his store within the past year, never imagining he’d be sitting on what could become one of the most valuable retail corridors in the region. Now, with the Chiefs planning to build a state-of-the-art stadium just down the road, he’s thinking big - more inventory, more staff, and a whole new game plan for scaling up.
“We still have five years to go, but now, we’re going to have to think about a road map,” Jnawali added. “Even on a race day, where there’s two races on the calendar, we get so busy. Think about a Super Bowl.”
And he’s not wrong to dream big. The Kansas Department of Commerce is projecting a $1.1 billion economic impact for the state - a staggering number that underscores just how transformative this move could be.
Village West is no stranger to major events. It already plays host to Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting KC, and the Kansas Speedway, where NASCAR brings in thousands of fans each year. But the arrival of the Chiefs - and a domed stadium - changes the game entirely.
This isn’t just about 10 Sundays a year. A domed venue opens the door to year-round events: concerts, conventions, college sports, and more. It’s a magnet for tourism, business, and national attention.
Alan Carr, executive director of Visit KCK, is already leaning into the moment. His team just launched KCK.Football, a new online hub designed to keep developers, travelers, and fans informed about the stadium’s progress. There’s even a countdown clock - not exactly scientific, but definitely symbolic - ticking down to the Chiefs’ Kansas debut.
“This was probably one of the biggest announcements we’ll ever see from a tourism standpoint,” Carr said. “This is going to take us to a whole new level. We have a lot to do to get ready, but in many ways, we’re already ready to welcome visitors - and now, we’re going to welcome a new type of visitors.”
That’s the key: this isn’t just about football. It’s about what football brings with it - energy, investment, and opportunity. Local merchants are already envisioning what the area could become with more restaurants, hotels, retail, and entertainment options springing up around the stadium.
From a business standpoint, the Chiefs' move is more than a relocation - it’s a catalyst. And for Kansas City, Kansas, it might just be the start of something much bigger.