Kansas City ranks high nationwide in sports and lifestyle

Kansas City stands out nationally for both its sports teams and its challenges. Chiefs games lead the country in television viewership, with several matchups ranking in the top five most-watched of the season. The city is also recognized for its rising rental prices, placing seventh among major metros for year-over-year rent increases. Kansas City ranks second in the US for speeding-related driving incidents.

On a positive note, travel guides and visiting journalists praise local attractions like CPKC Stadium, barbecue restaurants, and the T-Mobile Center. Kansas City’s mix of vibrant culture, high sports engagement, and pressing urban issues keeps it in the national spotlight.

Photo of stadium renderings the Royals shared on Feb. 13. By Travis Heying

NO. 1: DESPITE COMPELLING RENDERINGS, ROYALS PROJECT AT CROSSROADS IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

The Royals’ stadium renderings capture the imagination, but many more practical concerns remain to be clarified. | Published February 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

A rally was held at City Hall Thursday by KC Tenants to support passage of an ordinance to ban landlords from turning away rental applicants based on their source of income.

NO. 2: MISSOURI LEADS THE NATION IN RENT INCREASES SINCE LAST YEAR. KANSAS ISN’T FAR BEHIND

Rents in the Midwest are rising faster than in any other part of the country, according to a recent report. How Missouri and Kansas measure up. | Published February 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

Jesus and Jennifer Clavo enjoy the warm Christmas Eve weather with their daughter, Camila, beneath a shuttlecock sculpture outside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Friday. The couple said they wanted to take advantage of the record warm weather. They don’t miss the snow. By Emily Curiel

NO. 3: WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VISIT KANSAS CITY? NATIONAL TRAVEL SITE GIVES THESE 14 REASONS

Kansas City has been getting a lot of love as a travel destination this year. | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

NO. 4: DOES KANSAS CITY HAVE A SPEEDING PROBLEM? NEW DATA PUTS CITY NEAR THE WORST IN US

KC drivers’ need for speed has led to some of the highest rates of speeding tickets and related crashes. | Published July 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert holds a news conference before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on Oct. 10, 2024. By Wendell Cruz

NO. 5: WNBA HAS EXPANSION PLANS. ‘KANSAS CITY IS A PERFECT PLACE,’ SAYS KC SPORTS OFFICIAL

The WNBA will look for a 16th team, and Kansas City wants in. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, confers with coach Andy Reid before the start of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 6: NFL RELEASES TV RATINGS FOR 2024 SEASON AND CHIEFS GAMES DOMINATE VIEWERSHIP

America’s Team resides in Kansas City as the Chiefs continue to be the most-watched NFL team. | Published November 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

No image found

In preparation for the Big 12 Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament being played in Kansas City, crews were busy sprucing up the exterior of the T-Mobile Center Tuesday morning. Anna Chirinos Marin polished the pink signage in front of the arena on Grand Boulevard. Workers from SECT and Loud Productions set up outdoor basketball courts and rigging for other activities that will be open throughout the tournament in front of arena. Action gets underway Wednesday night when Kansas State takes on West Virginia. By Rich Sugg

NO. 7: VISITING JOURNALIST RAVES ABOUT HER TIME IN KANSAS CITY COVERING BIG 12 WOMEN’S TOURNEY

These comments from an Arizona reporter are like a commercial for why people should visit Kansas City. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

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.