The Kansas City Chiefs have been playing at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972, and they have a lease in place to continue using the stadium until 2031. However, beyond that date, the team’s future home is uncertain.
The Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals share the Truman Sports Complex, located about 8.8 miles from downtown. The NFL team’s future plans are closely linked to the potential move of the MLB team downtown. In April, Jackson County voters will decide whether to extend the 3/8th-of-a-cent sales tax that funds improvements to both Kauffman Stadium (home of the Royals) and Arrowhead Stadium.
Mark Donovan, the team president, emphasized the importance of a good partnership between the Chiefs and Royals during the decision-making process. He stated that the preference for the Chiefs is to renovate Arrowhead Stadium, and the team has made progress in exploring this option. However, there are still three viable options under consideration: renovating and upgrading the current stadium, building a new stadium on the same site, or constructing a new stadium at a different location.
While the building is structurally sound, it will require significant annual investment to maintain its structural integrity. Additionally, as part of the due diligence process, the team has encountered various issues that come with renovating an older facility, such as dealing with discoveries of potential issues related to the structure’s age.
In the meantime, Arrowhead Stadium is set to undergo $50 million worth of upgrades over the next three years to prepare it to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The future home of the Chiefs remains a topic of interest and discussion, and the team continues to evaluate its options while working closely with the Royals to reach a mutually beneficial decision.
Photo credit – Wikimedia Commons / Ichabod / Kansas City, MO
