The Chiefs will stay in KC for training camp, despite ‘detailed appeal’ to the NFL
The Chiefs’ annual trek to St. Joseph for training camp is officially off.
Despite their best efforts.
Aligning with a new NFL policy during the pandemic, the Chiefs will hold training camp at their own training complex neighboring Arrowhead Stadium.
But they made an attempt to preserve their agreement with Missouri Western State.
“We looked at every avenue to return to Missouri Western State University, including making a detailed appeal to the league,” the team said in a statement. “We were looking forward to returning to St. Joseph as we prepare to defend our Super Bowl title, but unfortunately, as conditions evolved nationally, we have decided that our best option is to conduct training camp at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex this season.”
In a decision based on safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL instructed all of its teams to remain in town for training camps.
The Chiefs have used the facilities at Missouri Western since 2010, and in February they renewed the agreement through 2022 with an option for two additional years. As part of that agreement, the college campus planned upgrades, including a renovation of the dorms.
The venue at One Arrowhead Drive includes three outdoor fields and an indoor field. The team has yet to announce if fans will be allowed to attend training camp. More than 62,000 fans attended Chiefs training camp last season, a number that was expected to swell following the Super Bowl title.
The NFL plans to start its training camps on time in late July.