WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — For more than half a century, Sundays at Arrowhead weren’t just games, they were tradition. From heartbreak to history to championships, Arrowhead Stadium helped define Chiefs Kingdom, but now it’s time to say goodbye.
On Dec. 22, 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs announced a relocation to Kansas, where the franchise is set to build a new, three-billion-dollar stadium.
Although the move excited many on the Kansas side, it wasn’t an easy decision for the Hunt family.
“A lot of people don’t know, we did not have Clark Hunt’s signature on the deal, on the term sheet, until the morning we announced,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said. “There was a lot of emotion in him. It seemed he was almost on the verge of tearing up when he was talking about his father and Arrowhead and how excited his father would have been for this deal, and it was just, it was really a touching moment. We were all very excited.”
The deal was long in the making.
On April 2, 2024, 51 days after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers to claim their third Super Bowl in five years, Jackson County residents went to the polls to vote on a proposed sales tax.
It was aimed at funding renovations to Arrowhead Stadium and a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals. With the Truman Sports Complex lease set to expire in 2031, a decision needed to be made. But the vote failed by a large margin, with 58% of voters saying, ‘No.’
“The fulcrum came when the Jackson County vote went down, and we thought, ‘Oh, that was a fumble.’ Pun intended, right, by Missouri, if they’re really interested in keeping the Chiefs. So that gave us the opportunity to really kind of press in a little harder,” Sen. Masterson said.
Kansas lawmakers didn’t waste any time. On June 18, 2024, they passed a law authorizing the use of Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds to lure the Chiefs or Royals across the state line with an expiration date set for June 30, 2025.
“The beautiful thing about STAR Bonds is, it’s a unique tool to Kansas, is you don’t have to raise any taxes,” Sen. Masterson said. “No Kansan has to spend an extra dime in taxes.”
For a year, Chiefs Kingdom speculated where the franchise would wind up.
“Up until they announced it, I was sitting there thinking there’s no way they’re going to leave Arrowhead,” Haysville resident and Chiefs fan Kelly Kennedy said. “They’re going to figure out something to where Jackson County can figure out this and get Arrowhead updated and things like that.”
June 30, 2025, came and went, and still no decision from the Chiefs, so Kansas lawmakers extended that deadline until the end of the year.
And finally, right before the deal was set to run out, the speculation came to an end.
“We were comfortable with our deal because even if they didn’t ultimately end up in Kansas, we wanted them in Missouri, and nothing would change for Kansas as fans, right? So, but if we could enhance it and bring all those jobs and all that excitement over to Kansas, all the better,” Sen. Masterson said.
Governor Laura Kelly said the project will bring thousands of jobs to Kansas, providing an economic boom for the Sunflower State.
“And that’s just during the construction phase. That’s electricians, and construction workers, iron workers and carpenters. Good jobs. Jobs that support families,” Gov. Laura Kelly said.
While the team stays in the Kansas City metro, for so many, it won’t feel the same.
“I’m not a real big fan of the move. Big fan of the Chiefs, not a big fan of the move,” Kennedy said.
A season ticket holder for 31 years, Kennedy said he’ll miss Arrowhead. His entire life, he’s cheered for the Chiefs. Kennedy was even named Chiefs Fan of the Year in 2023.
“I don’t like it because Arrowhead is the only place that I’ve known as a Chiefs fan,” Kennedy said. “We have lots of memories in Arrowhead, and it’s such an iconic stadium, and the playing outdoors and stuff like that, the weather is part of it. It’s part of the game. I think you know when Miami comes, and it’s 20 below zero, and they’re not used to that, they’re not going to do as well, and our guys seem to be used to it at that point.”
Wichita native Marty Bean has also had season tickets for three decades. Known for his Chiefs-themed Corvette, Bean is committed to the team, but he’s not worried about its relocation.
“I think it’ll be fine,” Bean said. “Jackson County has not done much for the stadium. So yeah, it’s going to be a good move.”
The new stadium is set to be built around 20 to 30 miles west of Arrowhead Stadium, moving from Raytown, Missouri to Wyandotte County, Kansas. The projected location is near the Village West area, which also features the Kansas Speedway and Children’s Mercy Park.
It’s a far cry from other NFL teams that have relocated, such as the Rams moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles, or even the Chargers leaving San Diego for LA, but it still brings mixed emotions: excitement for what’s ahead and nostalgia for what’s being left behind.
That’s because for many fans, the move isn’t about distance, it’s about leaving behind a place that defined Chiefs Kingdom because one of the traditions fans love the most, they hope is coming to Kansas too.
“We’re in line at seven in the morning, 12 hours before game. We’ve cooked a whole hog before in a hot box, and start it in line and finish it up in tailgate,” Bean said. “We love our tailgate, we love our parking lot, but as long as they give that same thing to us, yeah, we’ll love it.”
Arrowhead is known for its tailgating. The pavement paradise features a deep-rooted culture backed by its loyal fans.
“We go up there and we tailgate every game, and we have people that are in the same area in the parking lot every game, and we have new people that come in and tailgate with us, and just walking by and stop and talk to us and tailgate with us a little bit. So, yeah, I’m hoping that it stays the same and it keeps that atmosphere going,” Kennedy said.
While the franchise may need to win over some fans when it comes to the gameday experience, state pride is also a topic of conversation.
Kansas and Missouri are known for its border war history, but some believe the state rivalry doesn’t factor in because it’s about having an overall pride for the Kansas City area.
“If you travel and go to New York or LA or Europe or South America, you don’t have to tell people what side of the state line you are from, you tell them you are from Kansas City,” Chiefs owner and CEO Clark Hunt said.
“There’s a few in Missouri that are upset, but the truth is, I mean, it’s still the Kansas City Chiefs, right? Even most people outside of Kansas City don’t think the Kansas City Chiefs are from Kansas, just from the name,” Sen. Masterson said.
One thing that’s certain, a domed stadium will open opportunities for Kansans they’ve never had before. The new stadium can host a Super Bowl, College Football Playoff Games and even the NCAA Tournament Final Fours.
Sen. Masterson said it will also benefit high school student-athletes.
“We could see some high school championship games in that stadium,” Sen. Masterson said. “I’m excited for those kids to play in that kind of environment … I can’t imagine playing in an environment where your favorite NFL team plays, to go in and be able to play on a field like that.”
As one chapter comes to a close, a new one in the Sunflower State is just beginning.
A new kingdom awaits with the same expectations.
“I promise you this, we will do everything we can to bring trophies home to Kansas,” Hunt said.
Construction timelines have yet to be announced, but Hunt said they do expect to unveil renderings and a site location later this year. Plus, the plan is to begin bidding soon for the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff Games and Final Fours.
The new stadium is set to open ahead of the 2031 season, and whoever the Chiefs pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has a shot at playing on its new turf.
Latest Headlines from CNN