Kansas City Royals stadium updates and site changes

Tensions are flaring on both sides of the Missouri-Kansas border as the battle to keep the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs intensifies. This list of stories outlines a whirlwind of developments—from Kansas passing aggressive STAR bond legislation to lure the teams across state lines, to Missouri lawmakers struggling to keep up. The Royals are reevaluating stadium sites in North Kansas City and Washington Square Park after voters shut down a Crossroads District plan.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs and Royals have opted to go their separate ways on stadium plans, signaling a potential end to the Truman Sports Complex setup. With political power shifts, business leaders calling for urgency, and Kansas’ offer set to expire, the next few months could reshape Kansas City’s sports landscape dramatically.

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: CHIEFS & ROYALS WILL GO SEPARATE WAYS ON FUTURE STADIUM PLANS. HERE’S WHAT THAT MEANS

The Chiefs and Royals will no longer be tied at the hip for their stadium proposals. Here’s what that might mean. | Published April 27, 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

Here’s a rendering showing the concept of what a new domed stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs might look like at the interchange of Interstates 70 and 435 in Kansas City, Kansas.

NO. 3: ‘LEAP OF FAITH’: KANSAS LAWMAKERS PASS PLAN TO WIN CHIEFS, ROYALS WITH BONDS FOR STADIUMS

The plan to lure the teams from Missouri involves billions in bonds to finance new stadiums. | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

See the rendering for a proposal for a new Kansas City Royals stadium in West Bottoms in KC. The idea sits the stadium on state line.

NO. 4: TAKE A LOOK AT ROYALS STADIUM PROPOSAL IN WEST BOTTOMS, HOVERING ON MO-KS STATE LINE

Missouri or Kansas for a new Royals stadium? How about Missouri AND Kansas. Take a look at this proposal. | Published June 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Kansas City Royals players including Garrett Hampson (2), Maikel Garcia (11) and Yuli Gurriel (18) celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of the Wild Card round at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Oct. 2, 2024. By Tommy Gilligan

NO. 5: THE ROYALS ARE BRINGING MLB PLAYOFFS BACK TO KANSAS CITY. HERE’S HOW MUCH TICKETS COST

The Kansas City Royals are in the Divisional Series, where they’ll host at least one playoff game at Kauffman Stadium for the first time in nine years. | Published October 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (27) and Kansas City Royals pitcher Carlos Estevez (53) talk before a game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Mar 14, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona, USA. By Rick Scuteri

NO. 6: ON THE ROYALS’ 5TH-STARTER SEARCH, CARLOS ESTéVEZ & SPRING BREAKOUT | KC ROYALS Q&A

You’ve got questions about the Royals in 2025? We’ll be answering them in Jaylon Thompson’s weekly Q&A. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

The Sluggerrr Dog. By Courtesy of Aramark Sports + Entertainment

NO. 7: THE ROYALS ARE BRINGING NEW FOODS TO KAUFFMAN STADIUM FOR 2025. SHOULD YOU TRY ANY?

“We’re not feeding 10 people or 100 people; we’re feeding thousands, right?” a chef with Aramark said. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

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

NO. 10: KC BUSINESS LEADERS CALL ON OFFICIALS TO SPEED UP CHIEFS, ROYALS STADIUM DEALS

The statement implies that the region could be in danger of losing one or both teams if stadium deals aren’t struck soon. | Published April 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

Royals owner John Sherman applauds his team during warm-ups ahead of a game against the before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. By Denny Medley/file photo

NO. 11: ROYALS ARE AGAIN EVALUATING NORTH KANSAS CITY AS POSSIBLE STADIUM SITE: SOURCES

Could this stadium spot north of the river be back on the table for the Royals? | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell Kacen Bayless

NO. 12: KANSAS’ OFFER TO POACH CHIEFS & ROYALS STADIUMS IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. WHAT’S NEXT?

Kansas has offered to issue billions in bonds to finance new stadiums for the teams if they’re willing to relocate. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

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.