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Full breakdown of Chiefs’ decision to leave Arrowhead under massive stadium deal

By Matthew Kelly and Sofi Zeman

The Kansas City Chiefs plan to abandon their longtime home in Jackson County and build a new multibillion-dollar complex in Kansas City, Kansas, with the help of a massive public subsidy.

A group of top lawmakers in Topeka voted unanimously Monday to approve a deal negotiated with Chiefs ownership by Lt. Gov. David Toland on behalf of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The meeting adjourned abruptly without lawmakers revealing details about where the stadium will be built or how much of it will be funded by incentive money. In June 2024, lawmakers authorized Kansas to publicly fund up to 70% of new stadium costs.

Ahead of an announcement by Gov. Laura Kelly, flags of the Kansas City Chiefs fly outside of the Docking building in Topeka, Kansas, on Monday, Dec. 5, 2025.
Ahead of an announcement by Gov. Laura Kelly, flags of the Kansas City Chiefs fly outside of the Docking building in Topeka, Kansas, on Monday, Dec. 5, 2025. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Follow live updates on the Kansas meeting & the Chiefs’ future

The Star had reporters in Topeka and Kansas City following updates and reactions to the highly anticipated meeting and announcement afterward.

If you can’t see the module below, go here.

Mark Donovan, president at Kansas City Chiefs, was on hand as Kansas lawmakers, members of the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC), met at the Capitol in Topeka on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, to discuss options for bringing the Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas. The LCC has been actively working to attract one of Kansas City’s professional sports teams to the state.
Mark Donovan, president at Kansas City Chiefs, was on hand as Kansas lawmakers, members of the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC), met at the Capitol in Topeka on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, to discuss options for bringing the Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas. The LCC has been actively working to attract one of Kansas City’s professional sports teams to the state. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM.

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Matthew Kelly
The Kansas City Star
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Matthew Kelly is The Kansas City Star’s Kansas State Government reporter. He previously covered local government for The Wichita Eagle. Kelly holds a political science degree from Wichita State University.
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