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KC Mo. seeks $600M for Royals stadium
11 Apr
Summary
- Missouri plans to cover $950 million of the $1.9 billion stadium cost.
- City Council may vote on a $600 million bond ordinance next week.
- Leases for both Royals and Chiefs stadiums expire in 2031.
Kansas City, Missouri, is advancing a proposal for a new downtown baseball stadium for the Royals, with officials eyeing a $600 million bond issuance. This initiative is part of a larger $1.9 billion project, for which the State of Missouri has pledged $950 million. The Royals would be responsible for securing the remaining $350 million in private funding. The proposed site is near Union Station, approximately six miles from the current Kauffman Stadium.
Kauffman Stadium, alongside Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs, is owned by Jackson County, Missouri, and has hosted both teams since 1973. Their current stadium leases are set to expire in 2031. This follows a recent rejection by county voters of a tax extension intended for stadium renovations. The Royals have also explored an alternative site in North Kansas City.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has emphasized the Royals' importance as an economic catalyst for the state, reaffirming the commitment to keep the team in Missouri. Economists, however, continue to question the long-term economic benefits of public stadium subsidies, noting that venues often redirect economic activity rather than expand it.
