Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly used her final State of the State address Tuesday night to celebrate what she called a “game-changing” victory for Kansas: bringing the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line. Kelly told lawmakers the Chiefs’ planned move to a new stadium in Kansas represents a “historic” economic and cultural win that will reshape the state’s national image and generate billions in economic activity. “Our beloved Chiefs are coming home to Kansas,” Kelly said. “We’re reminding the nation that we are not a flyover state. We are a touchdown state.” The stadium, expected to open in 2031, would position Kansas to compete for major events such as Super Bowls, Final Fours and large-scale concerts, Kelly said. The project is projected to create thousands of jobs and spur billions of dollars in new investment, while keeping the franchise rooted in the Kansas City region. Kelly said the deal was structured without raising taxes on Kansans or diverting money from other priorities in the state budget, a point she highlighted repeatedly as she framed the agreement as a bipartisan accomplishment. “This is not only a massive win for Kansas. It’s a win for the entire region,” Kelly said, adding that the move will allow future generations to continue cheering for the Chiefs “just down the road.” Kelly publicly thanked local leaders who played key roles in the negotiations, including Unified Government of Wyandotte County Mayor and CEO Christal Watson and Olathe Mayor John Bacon. She also recognized Chiefs President Mark Donovan, who she said helped finalize the agreement. Donovan was in attendance at the speech. “To land the Chiefs, we all put politics aside,” Kelly said. “We did what was best for Kansas and for our shared future.”

TOPEKA, Kan. —

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly used her final State of the State address Tuesday night to celebrate what she called a “game-changing” victory for Kansas: bringing the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line.

Kelly told lawmakers the Chiefs’ planned move to a new stadium in Kansas represents a “historic” economic and cultural win that will reshape the state’s national image and generate billions in economic activity.

“Our beloved Chiefs are coming home to Kansas,” Kelly said. “We’re reminding the nation that we are not a flyover state. We are a touchdown state.”

The stadium, expected to open in 2031, would position Kansas to compete for major events such as Super Bowls, Final Fours and large-scale concerts, Kelly said.

The project is projected to create thousands of jobs and spur billions of dollars in new investment, while keeping the franchise rooted in the Kansas City region.

Kelly said the deal was structured without raising taxes on Kansans or diverting money from other priorities in the state budget, a point she highlighted repeatedly as she framed the agreement as a bipartisan accomplishment.

“This is not only a massive win for Kansas. It’s a win for the entire region,” Kelly said, adding that the move will allow future generations to continue cheering for the Chiefs “just down the road.”

Kelly publicly thanked local leaders who played key roles in the negotiations, including Unified Government of Wyandotte County Mayor and CEO Christal Watson and Olathe Mayor John Bacon.

She also recognized Chiefs President Mark Donovan, who she said helped finalize the agreement.

Donovan was in attendance at the speech.

“To land the Chiefs, we all put politics aside,” Kelly said. “We did what was best for Kansas and for our shared future.”