Kansas City Chiefs in Talks with Kansas for Potential Stadium Move; Royals Exploring Options Too
The Kansas City Chiefs may be eyeing a new home-and it might not be in Missouri.
The Kansas Department of Commerce confirmed Thursday that it’s deep in discussions with the Chiefs about potentially building a new stadium and surrounding facilities in Kansas. While nothing is official yet, the department isn’t hiding its enthusiasm, calling the project a possible “massive economic win for Kansas” that could benefit the state for generations.
This news drops just days ahead of a Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) meeting scheduled for Monday in Topeka, where the Chiefs are expected to have a presence. The Royals, however, are not expected to attend.
In a statement, the Kansas Department of Commerce made it clear they’re going all-in on the opportunity:
“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.
No final agreement has been reached, but this would be a massive economic win for Kansas and benefit Kansans for generations to come. We are aggressively pursuing this opportunity.”
As of now, no specific site has been confirmed, but one location that’s been floated is the Village West area in western Wyandotte County. That area already has a strong entertainment footprint with venues like the Kansas Speedway and Legends Outlets nearby-so it’s not hard to imagine a stadium fitting into the mix.
Royals Also Exploring Kansas Move-But Slower Timeline
While the Chiefs may be moving quickly, the Royals are taking a more measured approach. The team has reportedly shown interest in a potential site in Johnson County, but it sounds like any decisions are still a ways off.
According to a spokesperson for Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, the Royals are “fully committed to Kansas” but won’t be finalizing or submitting a proposal during this legislative session. The team is still working through its location options and timeline.
That means while both franchises are exploring a future in Kansas, the Chiefs appear to be the ones pressing the gas pedal.
Kansas City Mayor Responds
Back on the Missouri side, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ office weighed in on the latest developments with a statement that struck a measured tone. The message was clear: the city isn’t going to negotiate through the media, and it remains committed to working with both teams behind closed doors.
“Kansas City does not negotiate in public and will not change course today. As the City and our Missouri partners continue discussions with our long-term partners at the Chiefs and the Royals, we remain steadfast in working toward an arrangement in the best interest of our community and the greatest success of our teams on and off the field.”
What’s Next?
With the Chiefs expected at Monday’s LCC meeting in Topeka, the next few days could be pivotal. Whether that meeting leads to a formal announcement or just moves the ball further down the field remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the future of Kansas City sports is very much in play.
For now, fans on both sides of the state line are watching closely. These aren’t just stadium decisions-they’re legacy decisions. And whether it’s Arrowhead 2.0 in Kansas or a new ballpark for the Royals in Johnson County, we’re talking about moves that could reshape the region’s sports landscape for decades.