Chiefs Announce 2031 Relocation to Kansas in $3 Billion Stadium Deal
Kansas City, Saturday, 27 December 2025.
The franchise proposes a historic move across state lines, leveraging a preliminary agreement where Kansas taxpayers would fund 60 percent of a new domed stadium using STAR bond revenues.
Structural Breakdown of the $3 Billion Agreement
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by the Hunt family, officially announced their intention to relocate the franchise to Kansas on Monday, December 22, 2025, during an event in Topeka [2][4]. The proposed relocation targets the 2031 season, coinciding with the expiration of the team’s current lease at the Truman Sports Complex in Missouri [2][3]. Central to this move is a 33-page non-final agreement that outlines a capital structure for a new domed stadium estimated to cost $3 billion [2]. Under the terms of this arrangement, the financial burden is split on a 60-40 basis, with the state of Kansas absorbing the majority share [2]. Specifically, the public funding component would amount to 1.8 billion, while the Chiefs have committed to contributing 1.2 billion toward the project [2]. Additionally, the franchise has agreed to cover any cost overruns that may arise during construction [2].
The Economics of Corporate Subsidies
While Chiefs owner Clark Hunt championed the deal as a monumental benefit that could attract Super Bowls and Final Fours to the region, the heavy reliance on public funding has drawn sharp political scrutiny [4]. Critics point to the disparity between the subsidies and the wealth of the ownership group; the Hunt family reportedly holds a net worth of $1.6 billion [4]. Following the announcement, Representative Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) characterized Hunt as a “Welfare King,” criticizing the allocation of billions in taxpayer funds to a billionaire owner [4]. The financial mechanics of the deal also heavily favor the franchise regarding ongoing revenue. While the Chiefs will pay $7 million annually in rent—of which $350,000 is allocated for administrative costs and the remainder for maintenance—the team will retain all revenues generated by the new stadium, including naming rights [2]. The state’s contribution is expected to be financed through Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds, a mechanism that utilizes future sales tax revenue generated within the district to pay off the debt [4].
Fan Sentiment and the Cost of Tradition
The announcement has triggered an emotional response from the fanbase, many of whom view the potential departure from Arrowhead Stadium as a betrayal of tradition. During the team’s final home game of the season on December 25, 2025, fans expressed dismay, with some describing the move as a “slap in the face” and a sale of their heritage [3]. Long-time season ticket holders voiced concerns not only about the loss of the historic venue built by Lamar Hunt but also regarding the economic implications for the average fan [3]. Fears have surfaced that the cost of a new, state-of-the-art venue could price out working-class supporters, forcing them to choose between basic necessities and season tickets [3]. This discontent has manifested in calls for economic action; online communities have suggested boycotting Kansas-based businesses to avoid generating the sales tax revenue necessary to fund the STAR bonds [7].
A Deal Not Yet Finalized
Despite the signed agreement and the announcement in Topeka, the relocation is not guaranteed. The document executed on Monday contains several “conditions precedent,” legal requirements that must be met for the deal to proceed [2]. Crucially, the Chiefs must acquire the stadium site and, perhaps most significantly, receive approval from the National Football League [2]. The agreement includes a specific “kill switch”: if the NFL does not approve the Kansas deal by October 31, 2026, the project may be terminated [2]. Furthermore, while the Chiefs have agreed not to negotiate with other parties during this interim period, Missouri retains the opportunity to present a counter-offer [2]. Should Missouri lawmakers devise a competitive proposal to renovate Arrowhead Stadium, the franchise’s 50-plus year history at the current site could yet be preserved [2].