The Kansas City Chiefs have formally requested an extension from Kansas state lawmakers to finalize a stadium financing package, signaling a significant possibility of relocating the NFL franchise from Missouri to Kansas. In a letter dated June 26, 2025, Chiefs President Mark Donovan informed Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson of the team’s substantial progress on plans for a new domed stadium and entertainment district, but emphasized the need for additional time to bring the project to fruition.
The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to convene on July 7 to consider the extension request. The original deadline for the financing package was set for the end of June, adding urgency to the deliberations. Donovan’s letter underscores the potential economic impact of the proposed development, stating that the presence of an NFL franchise in Kansas would serve as a powerful engine for immediate and long-term growth, driving national attention, sustained tourism, and billions more in private development across the state.
The Chiefs, along with Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals, currently play at the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Missouri. Both teams’ leases are set to expire in January 2031, prompting discussions about their future venues. In April 2024, Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax extension that would have funded an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium and a $2 billion downtown ballpark district for the Royals.
In response to the failed tax extension, Missouri lawmakers have since passed a stadium funding bill aimed at retaining both teams. The legislation allows for state payments covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, with additional tax credits and unspecified aid from local governments.
Conversely, Kansas has aggressively pursued the teams, authorizing bonds covering up to 70% of the cost for new stadiums. The proposed site for the Chiefs’ new stadium includes the Kansas Speedway area, equipped with necessary infrastructure to support a domed football stadium.
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has expressed a desire to modernize the team’s facilities, with a domed stadium offering opportunities to host marquee events such as the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four. However, the potential move has elicited mixed reactions from fans and players. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have voiced strong emotional ties to Arrowhead Stadium, emphasizing its importance to them and the fan base.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas remains optimistic that the team will stay in Missouri, despite the looming deadline and Kansas’ enticing offer. The decision carries significant implications for the region’s sports landscape and economic development.
As the July 7 meeting approaches, stakeholders on both sides of the state line await the outcome, which could redefine the future of professional sports in the Kansas City metropolitan area.