KC gets serious about painting the town red. How the city transforms for Chiefs season
In a city full of people who wear red multiple days a week for months on end during football season, it’s much more than just a turn of phrase to say that Chiefs fans are painting the town red ahead of the team’s first playoff game of 2025.
Here are some of the ways Kansas City has celebrated the Chiefs this season as they push toward a potential third consecutive Super Bowl.
Kansas City landmarks glow red for the Chiefs
Downtown Kansas City landmarks — including Union Station, the Kauffman Center and the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel — have been illuminated with red lights during the winter to cheer on the Chiefs after major wins.
KC Streetcar turns red for the Chiefs
The KC Streetcar, which rolls down Main Street through downtown, has been decked out in a red decal with a Chiefs-themed streetcar. The special Chiefs car has also been displayed for fans at Union Station in celebration of the Chiefs appearing in the Super Bowl in the past.
Massive murals cheer on the Chiefs
Building-sized murals in red, white and gold have popped up in high-traffic locations around the city to celebrate the team’s success in recent years, including images of the players. Artist Phil “Sike Style” Shafer doesn’t want to jinx it, but he promises a new mural if the Chiefs three-peat this year at the Super Bowl.
Chiefs merch makes Hallmark movie debut
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” Hallmark Christmas movie about a Chiefs fan competing to win a fan of the year contest, premiered in November and featured a cameo by Mayor Quinton Lucas. Actress Hunter King, who plays main character Alana, wore a special long red coat with gold-colored sleeves in promotional material for the movie. The coat, made by movie costumer Keith Costumes, is listed for purchase online for $1,587.
Kansas Citians wear their Chiefs pride on their sleeves
Kansas City turns into a sea of red every football weekend as fans deck themselves out in shirts, hats, pants, scarves, shoes, jackets and other apparel as part of the “Red Friday” tradition, which continues through the end of the Chiefs’ season. Red Friday began in 1992 and ties in community service and efforts to benefit local charities.
This story was originally published January 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.