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A Kansas lawmaker has indicated that the future of the Kansas City Chiefs is expected to be discussed during Monday’s state agenda meeting in Topeka.
The development comes amid growing speculation about where both the Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals could relocate once their current stadium agreements expire in 2031.
The update was shared by Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, who also serves on the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC), the body that could ultimately vote on any proposed stadium deal.
Legends Area Emerges as Potential Kansas Site
If the Chiefs were to move across the state line into Kansas, officials believe the most likely destination would be near the Legends Outlets, close to Kansas Speedway in Wyandotte County. Observers say Monday’s meeting could clarify whether this area is the franchise’s preferred option.
Adding to the momentum, Lieutenant Governor David Toland, who also leads the Kansas Department of Commerce, was seen entering the department’s Overland Park offices Friday morning. Toland is one of the officials assigned to negotiate potential agreements with both professional teams.
Should negotiations reach a preliminary agreement, the LCC could formally consider and vote on the proposal during Monday’s session.
Lawmakers Revisit Development Strategy in Wyandotte County
Kansas House Representative Sean Tarwater previously explained that when he introduced the STAR Bonds legislation, he expected the Royals—not the Chiefs—to relocate to Wyandotte County rather than Johnson County’s Aspiria Campus.
After visiting The Battery, the mixed-use development surrounding the Atlanta Braves’ stadium, Tarwater clarified his comments. He emphasized the need for investment in eastern Wyandotte County, noting that western areas already have substantial development with more on the way.
Despite the speculation, neither the Chiefs nor the Royals have publicly confirmed any preferred future stadium locations.
Missouri Pushes Back With Sales Tax Proposal
Across the state line, Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota addressed the issue during a Friday news conference. Jackson County owns the Truman Sports Complex, where both teams currently play.
LeVota proposed a quarter-cent countywide sales tax aimed solely at keeping the Chiefs in Missouri through a renovated Arrowhead Stadium. The measure would not include funding for the Royals and would not take effect until 2031.
Jackson County residents already pay a three-eighths cent sales tax that services existing stadium bonds. That tax expires in 2031, coinciding with the end of the teams’ leases.
LeVota dismissed concerns that Missouri was losing ground in public messaging, stating that Kansas discussions remain speculative while Missouri’s plan is concrete.
Funding Numbers and Past Voter Resistance
According to LeVota, the proposed quarter-cent tax would generate approximately $34 million annually for the Chiefs. He also claimed the team has committed $400 million toward stadium improvements.
During the presentation, LeVota referenced financial commitments from Kansas City and the State of Missouri but withheld specific figures from public view. He closed with a pointed message to Chiefs leadership, expressing hope that loyalty to Jackson County would outweigh the appeal of relocating to Kansas.
However, Missouri leaders face challenges of their own. In 2024, Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax extension that would have funded an $800 million Arrowhead renovation and a $2 billion Royals ballpark in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District.
STAR Bonds Deadline Adds Pressure in Kansas
Meanwhile, Kansas officials are working against a firm deadline. State leaders confirmed that December 31 remains the cutoff to approve the use of STAR Bonds, which could cover up to 70% of the cost of building a new stadium.
With time running short and both states advancing competing visions, Monday’s Topeka meeting could mark a pivotal moment in determining where the Chiefs—and potentially the Royals—will play beyond 2031.
As the 2031 lease expiration approaches, stadium negotiations for the Kansas City Chiefs have entered a decisive phase.
Kansas leaders are signaling readiness to act, Missouri officials are pushing a defined funding plan, and deadlines tied to STAR Bonds are tightening.
While speculation continues, upcoming state-level decisions could significantly shape the future home of one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises.