KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The lease agreement for the new Kansas City Royals stadium has cleared another hurdle.
The Kansas City Council’s Finance Committee unanimously endorsed and approved the documents on Tuesday, sending them to the full City Council on Thursday, Aug. 19.
The new lease would begin on Feb. 1, 2031, and the $1.9 billion project would be split 60/40 for public and private funding.
The stadium lease’s initial term runs approximately 30 years, with an option for the Royals to extend it in five two-year increments — potentially up to 40 years total.
The Kansas City Royals released additional renderings of their proposed stadium at Crown Center on Aug. 18, 2026.(Kansas City Royals)
“Today is a home run for Kansas City. The Royals and Hallmark downtown will bring millions of people to our city core, build thousands of jobs in the heart of our region, and will extend benefits to every corner of Kansas City and our area,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “Rising cities retain their teams, retain key businesses and jobs, ensure great wages, and take care of the basics. This August, Kansas City has authorized billions of dollars into infrastructure, millions into affordable housing, and historic preservation, and ensures today that we can walk and chew gum—building a better life for every Kansas Citian and making sure our city is a place people want to come and want to be.”
The City of Kansas City will contribute $600 million of the $1.14 billion in public funding. The lease agreement stated that $90 million in infrastructure construction will be paid for by city funds rather than the city-backed bonds expected to pay for most of the remaining $510 million of the city’s share.
Besides building a new ballpark and entertainment district, city leaders also approved the plans for the new global headquarters of Hallmark Cards and a reimagined Crown Center area.
The lease agreement stated the Royals will pay $760 million in private funding and will foot the bill for any overages. The club will be responsible for stadium maintenance.
The Kansas City Royals released additional renderings of their proposed stadium at Crown Center on Aug. 18, 2026.(Kansas City Royals)
The Royals will pay $1 per year in rent.
Because the Royals would be leasing a city-owned stadium, they would not have to pay property taxes on the stadium property. In total, the Royals have committed to a minimum of $55 million in community benefits over the life of the lease. As part of the community benefits agreement, the Royals will commit to:
$5 million to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum$5 million to the City’s Housing Gateway Program (homelessness initiative)$14 million toward the City’s “One Percent for the Arts” public art requirement (may include incorporating a 65-foot heart sculpture from the World Cup)Remaining ~$31 million paid annually over the lease term, adjusted for inflation (capped at 2%/year)
The zoning authorization will appear before full Council on Thursday, September 3, according to Lucas.
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