Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly holds a Chiefs jersey with team owner Clark Hunt ahead of a news conference Dec. 22, 2025, at the Kansas Docking State Office Building in Topeka, Kansas (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector).

December 22, 2025 2:48 pm

TOPEKA — Kansas legislative leadership voted unanimously Monday in a closed door meeting to issue STAR bonds to build a new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs.

More information about the deal is expected at a news conference called by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly for 3 p.m.

The Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of Republican and Democratic legislative leaders, booted a standing-room-only crowd out about three minutes into its meeting and returned in less than 30 minutes to vote on the stadium. They didn’t discuss the plan in an open meeting or with reporters.

The state has been trying to lure the Kansas City Chiefs football team and Kansas City Royals baseball team across state lines. The legislature passed a law during a special session in 2024 to use STAR bonds to pay for up to 70% of a project for either team.

Chiefs flags lined the street leading into the Docking State Office Building, and a lone Topekan sat outside to show his support of bringing the team to Kansas.

Steve Bushnell said he has made the trip to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, many times. He was excited at the idea of moving the team to the Sunflower State.

“It’s certainly a little bit bittersweet with the nostalgia of Royals stadium, Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium,” he said.

But, he said, when he heard Chiefs leaders were going to be in Topeka for the news conference with the governor, he “jumped at” the opportunity to be part of this “historic event.”

Kelly, legislative leadership, Chiefs president Mark Donovan, team owner Clark Hunt, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Lt. Gov. David Toland, who is also the Kansas commerce secretary, convened at the Docking building ahead of the news conference to commemorate the deal by posing for photos.

Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Christal Watson and Olathe Mayor John Bacon were also present.

This story will be updated. 

https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/22/chiefs-kansas-stadium-deal/