As the 2026 season approaches, Royals fans are eagerly watching spring training, focusing on how the team comes together before the regular season kicks off on March 27 in Atlanta. While the on-field action is captivating, there's a significant storyline that's been on the minds of the Royals faithful: the future location of the team's home games.
The buzz around a potential new stadium has been a hot topic for some time now. Recently, Royals owner John Sherman provided some insight, hinting that a decision on the team's future home might not be too far off.
Last week, Sherman addressed the media during the team’s spring training in Surprise, Arizona, discussing the ongoing evaluations of potential sites both in Kansas and Missouri.
"I don’t think we’re that far away," Sherman remarked, emphasizing the need to move forward. He acknowledged the fatigue felt by fans over the prolonged discussions and shared that the organization feels it too.
This update follows the recent elimination of a notable site in Kansas. The team announced last month that the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park is no longer under consideration.
While the Royals' current lease at Kauffman Stadium extends until January 2031, Sherman described this as a "generational decision," underscoring the complexity and importance of the matter.
Kauffman Stadium, the Royals' home since 1973, was originally named Royals Stadium until it was renamed in 1993 to honor the team's original owner, Ewing M. Kauffman. Although Sherman didn't commit to a specific plan or timeline, his comments suggest that a resolution might be on the horizon.
In the meantime, the only confirmed change at Kauffman Stadium is the decision to move the outfield walls in by up to 10 feet ahead of the 2026 season. Fans will have to wait and see how the stadium saga unfolds, but Sherman's recent remarks offer a glimmer of progress in this ongoing narrative.