Key decisions shaping the Royals’ stadium future in KC

The Royals’ stadium saga has taken unpredictable turns, with bold pitches and political gridlocks shaping their next chapter in Kansas City. This list of stories outlines key developments, from Kansas' $1 billion proposal using STAR bonds to a heated downtown push featuring an 8,100-square-foot plea for a Washington Square Park stadium. Johnson County’s former Sprint campus briefly entered the spotlight as a possible home for the Royals before fading, while Missouri's own efforts to retain the teams remain tangled in legislative standstill.

Meanwhile, outspoken fans and lawmakers alike are divided—some focus on location loyalty, others just want modern venues. With new leadership at the Jackson County Sports Complex and stadium ideas multiplying, what comes next could redefine KC sports forever.

A general aerial view of Kauffman Stadium (front) and Arrowhead Stadium (back) before a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots on Sept. 29, 2014. By Denny Medley

NO. 1: AS KANSAS LURES THE CHIEFS, HERE’S WHY THE PATH TO STAYING AT ARROWHEAD IS COMPLEX

What’s next for the Kansas City Chiefs (and Royals) on stadium plans? It’s a complicated answer. Here’s why. | Published May 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Missouri Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, filibusters a GOP-led measure that would make it harder for voters to amend the constitution on May 13, 2024. By Harrison Sweazea

NO. 2: POWERFUL MO SENATOR TO HEAD SPORTS AUTHORITY AS CHIEFS AND ROYALS CONSIDER OPTIONS

Missouri Sen. John Rizzo had lots of job offers to consider as his last term expires, but this one he wanted most, he says | Published May 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

Football fans attend an NFL game in the first quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. By Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer

NO. 3: CHIEFS OR ROYALS IN THE ‘BURBS? WHAT WYANDOTTE, JOHNSON COUNTIES WANT FROM KS STADIUM DEAL

What are local leaders’ priorities as state lawmakers head into special session and are expected to weight a tax incentive to lure the teams across the state line? | Published June 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bill Lukitsch

An aerial view of Arrowhead Stadium (bottom) and Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Mo., on April 26, 2023. By Kirby Lee

NO. 4: ‘A DIFFICULT DECISION’: KANSAS LAWMAKERS SPLIT OVER CHIEFS, ROYALS PLAN. WILL IT PASS?

“This is the first time in my legislative career that I have ever seen district opinion, constituent opinion, at a dead heat,” Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton said. | Published June 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer after the playing of the national anthem before a Divisional Round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 5: MISSOURI OR KANSAS? SOME ROYALS, CHIEFS FANS DON’T CARE WHERE THE TEAMS PLAY

Fans in Missouri are not happy that Kansas is wooing the Chiefs and Royals, but others say it doesn’t matter which state has their stadiums. | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

A general view of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as fireworks are displayed after a 2024 AFC Wild Card game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins. By Denny Medley

NO. 6: WILL CHIEFS PICK MISSOURI OR KANSAS? HERE’S WHAT WILL DETERMINE THEIR STADIUM FUTURE

Chiefs team president Mark Donovan spoke to the media Friday and outlined how they’ll navigate their stadium decision. | Published July 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Vacant land sits is seen along the westside of Nall Avenue just south of 115th Street (top right) near the Aspira Campus in Overland Park on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2024. The campus includes several five story parking garages. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 7: COULD THE ROYALS MOVE TO JOHNSON COUNTY? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT FORMER SPRINT CAMPUS

There have been several plans for how to redevelop the property. Here’s the latest. | Published November 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

Washington Square Park, north of Crown Center between Union Station and Grand Boulevard, has emerged as another possible site for a downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals. By File

NO. 8: WHAT’S UP WITH PLANS FOR NEW ROYALS STADIUM? JOCO SITE OFF THE TABLE, KC ONE UP IN THE AIR

As of this week, the possibility of a new ballpark on two sites the Royals had reportedly been eyeing — on either side of the state line — seem less likely. Here’s why. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman applauds as Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer closes out the seventh inning during Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 9: KANSAS CITY ROYALS SET OUT TO BUILD A DOWNTOWN STADIUM. THEY SHOULD STILL DO IT

Even after voters blasted the Royals’ first downtown stadium proposal a year ago, a move into the city is still the best option. Here’s why. | Published April 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

An aerial view of Truman Sports Complex By Star file photo

NO. 10: A YEAR AFTER FAILED VOTE, ROYALS & CHIEFS STILL SEEK STADIUM SOLUTIONS: PODCAST

Is it really possible the Royals and Chiefs could have their respective stadium plans settled by summertime? | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

More than two dozen Kansas City businesses and individuals paid to display a massive sign urging the Royals to choose downtown for their new stadium, highlighting Washington Square Park as a top spot.

NO. 11: BUSINESSES PLASTER SIGN ON KC BUILDING, PLEADING FOR ROYALS TO MOVE DOWNTOWN

Efforts intensify in Kansas City to move the Royals downtown, with businesses and leaders advocating for Washington Square Park’s potential as a stadium site. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by PJ Green

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.