The Kansas City Chiefs recently announced their imminent departure from the venerable Arrowhead Stadium. In the future, the state of Kansas wants to play in a new stadium. sport.de has all the important information about it.
About an hour after the official announcement – and after most of the TV crews had already left – the Chiefs owner appeared Clark Hunt through a side door on the third floor of the Docking State Office Building. There had to be a few more photos.
In the center of the room, where the press conference for the big announcement had taken place shortly before – the Kansas City Chiefs are moving across the state border to Kansas – there were two flags. One featured the Kansas State seal, the other the red and gold Chiefs logo.
For Hunt it was clear: This Monday was a day that will go down in the history books. Away 2031 The team will officially be based in Kansas – in one new, covered stadium for around three billion US dollars. The mega-project is intended to take the region to a new level, both sportingly and economically.
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Why are the Chiefs moving from Missouri to Kansas?
The decision was essentially based on two factors: easier implementation and greater opportunities. The choices were a new building in Kansas (around $3 billion) or a modernization of Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri (around $1 billion).
Kansas made the more attractive offer: the state would take over 60 percent of the costs through government bondsfinanced by income from Sports betting, lotteries and taxes. The Chiefs only had to come to an agreement with one central authority – in Missouri several authorities would have been involved.
“We were still in negotiations with Missouri until last week,” Hunt said. “But not all questions could be resolved.” In the end, all four Hunt siblings, who co-own the team, voted unanimously to move to Kansas.
Team President Mark Donovan added: “Emotionally, yes – but in the end it was a clear decision. We are excited about what is to come.”
The move, Hunt said, will shape the fan experience for decades. The new stadium also opens the doors to major events such as the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff or the Basketball Final Four.
Where will the new stadium be built?
The exact location has not yet been determined, but there are many indications Wyandotte County there – in the immediate vicinity of the Kansas Speedwayaround 20 miles west of the current Arrowhead Stadium.
“We have control of several properties,” Donovan explained. “This is included in the design phase, but the final decision is still pending.”
New training center planned
Also a new one Headquarters and training center is being built approximately 20 miles south of the stadium in Olathe, Kansas.
Costs and financing
The new stadium should $3 billion costs, the training center 300 millionjoin in 700 million for a mixed-use area around the facilities.
Kansas covers 60 percent of the total costs (2.4 billion), the Chiefs or the Hunt family take over the rest (1.6 billion).
When will the move take place?
The current lease at Arrowhead runs through January 2031. Games are scheduled to take place in the new stadium from autumn of the same year. Are planned 18 month design phasethereafter three years construction timeto stay on schedule.
There are no renderings yet – all of the images circulating online do not come from the Chiefs themselves.
Super Bowl in Kansas? Quite possible!
Chiefs President Donovan sits in NFL Super Bowl Award Committee and was optimistic: “We’ll really get involved,” he said. “Kansas City is a fantastic city – we’ve proven we can do great things. This stadium puts us on the map.”
Stadium size and roof
The new stadium should at least 65,000 places offer, but realistically between 62,000 and 68,000 lay. One movable roof structure is possible, but not yet decided – tends to be rather unlikely.
Volume and tailgating are firmly planned
Two points are non-negotiable for Hunt: Volume and tailgating. “We will approach both with full passion,” emphasized the owner. “Our goal is for the fans to say: It’s just as good – or even better.”
Donovan added that they already have ideas for the new stadium even louder to make as the legendary Arrowhead.
New training area for camps and flag football
The new training ground could also be in the future Training camps accommodate. The team is currently traveling to Germany for this purpose St. Joseph/Missouri.
The Chiefs are also thinking about a modern one Flag Football Center after, that may also be for US national teams could be used – with a view to the planned Olympic flag football competition.
Royals also on the move?
The Kansas City Royals are also exploring locations in Kansas and Missouri. Governor Laura Kelly but made it clear: “Today it’s all about the Chiefs.”
New name for the stadium?
Whether the name Arrowhead Stadium remains, is not yet certain. “That’s a decision for later,” Donovan said. “First we have to build – then we’ll talk about the name.”
