KC Chiefs to leave Missouri for Kansas

December 22, 2025 84

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (UPI) — The four-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will leave Missouri for a new stadium across the state line in Kansas starting in 2031, team officials announced Monday.

The brand new, domed stadium will be located about 23 miles west of the Chiefs’ current home at Arrowhead Stadium and comes after Kansas state lawmakers presented a funding package that beat out Missouri’s $1.5 billion in incentives.

“Today, we are excited to take another momentous step for the future of the franchise,” said Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, son of team founder Lamar Hunt. “We have entered into an agreement with the state of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season.”

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, after spiking a football, told reporters in Topeka on Monday, “For the rest of the nation, I say take heed. Kansas is not a flyover state. We are a touchdown state.”

Missouri lawmakers on Monday expressed disappointment, calling it a “painful day for everyone in Missouri who loves our Chiefs.”

“A lot of us in Missouri, we feel like we’ve been incredibly loyal to the Chiefs despite all of the frustrations over decades,” said Democratic state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern. “We stuck with the Chiefs every step of the way. So this is so disappointing.”

The Chiefs have made their home at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972. Their lease was set to expire after the 2030 season.

Limitations with Arrowhead Stadium spearheaded the move

“I think money was a part of it, but I think it’s also the opportunities available in Kansas,” said Kansas House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Republican. “You know, Arrowhead can’t do a Super Bowl. Arrowhead can’t do a Final Four. If you have a dome stadium, those things are all possibilities, and I think that’s probably what ultimately led to the decision to move.”

The Chief’s new domed stadium, along with the team headquarters and training facility, will bring a minimum of $4 billion of new development to the state of Kansas.

Kansas City Chiefs KC Chiefs — Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy while quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) cheers after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 11, 2024. On Monday, Hunt announced the Chiefs will move from their longtime home at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas. Credit: JOHN ANGELILLO / UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL (FILE PHOTO)

The soaring popularity of the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have soared in popularity both on and off the field. The team, currently led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, has appeared in five of the past six Super Bowls, winning three of them. Kelce’s engagement this year to superstar Taylor Swift has also drawn a lot of attention and new fans to the team.

In all, the Chiefs have won four Super Bowls, including Super Bowl IV in 1970, which puts them on par with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.

“It will be difficult to bid farewell to Arrowhead Stadium in a few years. Like so many of you, Arrowhead reminds me of family memories and unforgettable moments,” said Hunt. “But the truth is, what makes Chiefs game days so special is you. Seats don’t make noise, concrete doesn’t intimidate opponents, parking lots don’t cook barbecue. You do.”