Chiefs will move training facility, team headquarters to Olathe: ‘Significant win’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas and Chiefs agree Olathe will host team headquarters and training campus.
- Exact location of headquarters and training facility unclear, expected to cost $1B.
- Olathe council has 60 days to hold hearing and pledge incremental sales tax.
At least one Johnson County city could expect a national sports team as a new neighbor after state officials reached an incentive agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs.
As part of the agreement, Olathe will be home to a new team headquarters and state-of-the-art practice facility, according to a statement from Gov. Laura Kelly’s office.
Olathe Mayor John Bacon called the agreement a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for the community.
“Having the Chiefs headquarters and training facilities here in Johnson County will be huge for our local economy - and a lot of fun for our families,” Bacon said in a statement. “We’re eager to get to work, and are committed to ensuring the process – and the result – are first class, something everyone in Olathe – and all across Chiefs Kingdom – can be proud of.”
On Monday, a group of lawmakers in Topeka unanimously approved a deal for a $3 billion, domed stadium to be built in Wyandotte County for the 2031 season. According to Kansas Department of Commerce documents, it would cost approximately $1 billion to build the training facility, headquarters and additional developments in the area.
Kansas plans to fund the development through a supercharged version of its Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR bonds program, which is designed to fund regional attractions by paying back developers with future sales tax revenue generated by tourists.
The legislation authorizes Kansas to potentially issue Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR bonds to pay for up to 70% of the cost of the stadium and would be repaid over 30 years.
It’s unclear where the accompanying headquarters and training facility will be built in Olathe, but the site will include mixed-use development around the facilities that will feature entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel and residential properties, according to Kelly’s office.
What happens next?
With the state’s approval, the Olathe City Council now has 60 days to conduct a public hearing, vote and adopt an ordinance that would pledge all new incremental general sales tax generated within the STAR bond area to the project, a city spokesperson told The Star via email.
“The pledge is standard protocol to create a STAR bond area,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson didn’t know if city officials were involved in negotiations and no date for a public hearing has been set as of Monday.
Mike Kelly, chair of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, said it was a “significant win” for Olathe, Johnson County and the state to have the headquarters and training facility come to Olathe.
“A new state-of-the-art stadium will position our community for year-round activations, creating lasting economic and community benefits,” Kelly said in a statement. “Given the continued economic and quality of life benefits within our county, it is no surprise that Johnson County was entrusted with this opportunity.”
“We look forward to working with the City of Olathe, the team and all community partners to ensure that both the process and the facility is one that Johnson County residents can be proud of.”
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM.
