Hailey
The Kansas City Royals are facing one of the most important decisions in franchise history: where to build their next home and how to finance it.
After voters in Jackson County, Missouri rejected a sales-tax extension in April 2024, attention shifted across the border to Kansas, where lawmakers are offering substantial incentives.
With the current lease at Kauffman Stadium expiring in 2031, the clock is ticking. A formal proposal is expected by late 2025, making this a pivotal moment for the Royals and the region.
WHY A NEW STADIUM IS BACK ON THE TABLE
The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium runs through the end of 2031, putting pressure on the franchise to identify a site and funding.
The failed tax measure in Jackson County ended the immediate Missouri downtown plan, prompting the Royals to reopen options in Kansas and Missouri.
Kansas lawmakers have stepped in with a revised incentive program that could cover up to 70 % of stadium construction costs via “STAR bonds”.
Meanwhile, Missouri has counter-offered with legislation enabling bonds up to 50 % of costs plus $50 million in tax credits. The result: a true border-state competition for the Royals’ future.
POSSIBLE SITES UNDER CONSIDERATION
Here are the leading candidate locations:
- Kansas side: Areas in Wyandotte County, Kansas (Village West / Legends) and Johnson County, Kansas (including the Aspiria campus in Overland Park) are under discussion. In May 2025, a Royals-affiliated affiliate purchased the mortgage on the Aspiria site, though the team states no formal deal yet.
- Missouri side: North Kansas City, Missouri is in “substantial” talks with the Royals as of October 16, 2025. Separately, downtown Kansas City’s Washington Square Park near Union Station was identified earlier in 2025 as a favored site.
FUNDING AND INCENTIVES — KANSAS VS. MISSOURI
| Jurisdiction | Incentive Program | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | STAR bonds → up to ~70 % financing | Deadline extended to June 30 2026; attractive to teams. |
| Missouri | State bonds + tax credits | Covers up to ~50 % of cost, includes $50 M in credits; local match required. |
Kansas’s package gives the Royals a larger potential subsidy, while Missouri still offers strong incentives with urban locations and existing infrastructure.
TIMING AND COST PRESSURES
Construction of a new MLB-size ballpark typically takes 3-4 years from approval to opening.
With a 2031 lease expiry, the Royals must finalize location and funding by approximately 2026-2027 to meet opening targets and avoid interim disruptions.
Cost estimates for a new ballpark and district range between $1 billion to $2 billion, meaning even with state support a substantial funding gap remains for private investment and infrastructure.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- Oct 16, 2025: North Kansas City’s mayor confirmed “substantial discussions” continue with the Royals about a new stadium.
- July 2025: Kansas lawmakers extended the deadline for their stadium funding incentive program from June 30 2025 to June 30 2026.
- June 2025: Reports identified Washington Square Park in Missouri as the leading downtown site, conditional on further negotiations.
These updates suggest the Royals and regional leaders are entering a decision-making stage rather than exploratory.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FANS AND THE REGION
A new ballpark isn’t just about baseball. It could anchor a mixed-use development—with retail, hospitality, residences and year-round entertainment.
But fans and taxpayers will expect clarity on the size of public investment, community benefits (such as affordable housing or transit improvements) and protection of residents from displacement.
The 2024 Jackson County vote underscored the need for transparent, detailed plans.
The Royals’ pursuit of a new ballpark is shaping up as a high-stakes regional drama. Kansas offers deep incentives and alternative sites, while Missouri counters with central locations and existing infrastructure.
Timing is crucial—and the winner will be the jurisdiction that delivers a concrete deal with clearly defined funding, community benefits, and a credible plan.
For Royals fans and the Kansas City metropolitan region, the outcome will shape the next generation of baseball and development for years to come.