The owner of the Kansas City Royals, John Sherman, has provided an updated timeline for the club’s proposed $2 billion ballpark construction project. The decision on the location of the new stadium is expected to be made by the end of the summer, with a projected move-in date of 2027 or 2028.
The Royals have been working with architect partner Populous to review at least 14 potential ballpark sites. The final choice is now between a new downtown location in partnership with Jackson County, Missouri, where their current ballpark, Kauffman Stadium, is located, or a site in neighboring Clay County.
Sherman emphasized that they want Jackson County to give their best proposal for the downtown location, as they have been partners for 52 years. However, he also made it clear that there is an alternative to that area. Regardless of the location, the Royals will be leaving the Truman Sports Complex, which is nearly 10 miles from downtown and is currently shared with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium. The new stadium is expected to generate more revenue and allow the team to control surrounding real estate for additional revenue opportunities.
The estimated cost of the project is $2 billion, with $350 million coming from taxpayer funding. Sherman mentioned that the final figure could be even higher, taking infrastructure into account. The remainder of the financing will be covered by the ownership group, which has promised more than $1 billion in private investment. The Royals are proposing an extension of the 3/8th-cent sales tax in Jackson County, which would provide funding for both the Royals and the Chiefs.
The team aims to announce the proposed location for the new stadium by the end of the summer, pending certain critical steps and confidence in the financial structure. The next steps will involve discussions with the city and the public regarding the site location. Sherman sees the new stadium as a long-term decision that will benefit both the community and the Royals, even though the team’s current performance is not at its best.
The projected timeline suggests that the new stadium could be ready for the 2027 or 2028 season. Sherman stressed the importance of securing the future of the team and keeping pace with other teams in the league. The Royals’ ownership group is committed to improving the team’s performance while also ensuring a secure future for baseball in Kansas City.
Photo credit – Kansas City Royals / proposed rendering / Kansas City, MO
