In a seismic shift for American football, the Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed they will leave their historic home, Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri, and relocate to a new facility across the state line in Kansas. The move, set for the 2031 NFL season, ends a storied six-decade tenure at one of the league's most iconic venues.
The End of an Era in Missouri
The Chiefs' departure was set in motion after voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected a crucial sales tax proposal in April 2024. That tax was designed to fund major renovations at Arrowhead Stadium and help build a new ballpark for baseball's Kansas City Royals. With that funding route closed, the path was cleared for Kansas to make its move.
On Monday 22 December 2025, Kansas lawmakers gave their legislative approval for a new stadium project. The Chiefs swiftly announced on social media, stating, "We have entered into an agreement with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season." The new site will be in Kansas City, Kansas, near the Kansas Speedway, roughly a 20-minute drive west of their current home.
Details of the Proposed Kansas Stadium
The blueprint for the future home of the Chiefs promises a dramatic change. Plans indicate a state-of-the-art, enclosed stadium capable of operating year-round. This design is aimed at attracting major sporting events beyond NFL games, such as the NCAA Final Four and significant college football championship contests.
However, this modern upgrade comes at a cost. The Chiefs will abandon their legendary open-air design at Arrowhead, a stadium renowned for generating deafening crowd noise that provided one of the NFL's most formidable home-field advantages. The proposed move signifies the end of an era defined by that unique, loud atmosphere.
Political Moves and Last-Ditch Efforts
The relocation has sparked high-level political activity. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has scheduled a meeting with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, hinting at a "special announcement" related to the deal. Meanwhile, on the Missouri side, Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota has reportedly sent letters to Hunt and team president Mark Donovan in a final attempt to persuade the franchise to reconsider and stay.
The situation also leaves the Kansas City Royals in a precarious position. The MLB team, which shares the Truman Sports Complex with the Chiefs, is now also considering a similar departure from Missouri, potentially following its NFL neighbours across the state line.
This planned relocation marks one of the most significant franchise moves in recent NFL history, reshaping the sporting landscape of the Kansas City region and closing a major chapter that began when the Chiefs first moved into Arrowhead Stadium in 1963.
