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The Royals almost certainly will not be joining the Chiefs across the border in Kansas.
Two weeks after the NFL team sealed a deal to leave Missouri and build a domed stadium in neighboring Kansas, the Sunflower State’s Speaker of the House said there will not be a companion deal for the MLB club. Kansas has had a bond measure to help pay for stadiums for both clubs, and last year extended the official expiration of that funding framework to June 30, 2026.
State officials, however, consistently said they had no intention of negotiating with either team past Dec. 31 of last year. The Chiefs were able to meet that timetable and tap into the bond measure, and Kansas will cover 60% of the cost of what is projected to be a $3 billion stadium.
The Royals, though, missed the deadline.
“We put an end to it on December 31st,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins. “Believe, I was not kidding when I said that.”
While it’s possible for another deal structure to emerge in Kansas for the Royals, that is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Hawkins is the incoming chair of the state’s Legislative Coordinating Council that would need to approve any stadium deal, and he has consistently signaled no intention to alter the existing funding program, known as Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds.
Meanwhile, the Royals are continuing to evaluate stadium options, and officials in Missouri at the city, county, and state levels have signaled a desire to work something out with the club—particularly after the pending departure of the Chiefs. The Royals’ current lease at Kauffman Stadium expires after the 2030 season.
“Our unified, hardworking, and exceptional team will continue our strong efforts as we work to retain the Kansas City Royals in a transformation downtown facility,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
