• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 12, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

Kansas Paying Up to $845K Per Game to Play Football at Arrowhead

  • KU is paying Arrowhead Stadium $125K in rent plus an estimated $485K to $720K in game expenses for each of four games.
  • The stadium and the university each get a share of suite revenue, but Arrowhead retains all concession revenue.
William Purnell-Imagn Images

With its own David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium still being renovated, the Kansas Jayhawks have been playing their football games this year in Kansas City, 45 miles away from Lawrence. 

Four of those games are being played at Arrowhead Stadium, home to the NFL’s Chiefs. (The rest are being played at Children’s Mercy Park, home of MLS club Sporting KC.)

Newly unredacted contract details show that the university is shelling out roughly $2.4M to $3.4M total for the privilege. 

Each game comes with a $125,000 rental fee, along with estimated “game expenses” of $485,000 to $720,000, depending on attendance. Those expenses cover things like staffing, parking, and security. They don’t include resodding the field, which is an extra cost. 

The figures were first reported by The Lawrence Times, which obtained a copy of the contract on October 8—but with the actual dollar amounts redacted, purportedly because they were a trade secret. After the newspaper balked, the university provided it with an unredacted contract.

Arrowhead is owned by Jackson County, Missouri, and leased out to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, which in turn leases it to the Chiefs. Via Arrowhead Events LLC (A.E.L.), the team rents out the stadium for special events, including KU football games.

According to the contract between KU Athletics and AEL, the university keeps the revenue generated from standard ticket sales, minus a laundry list of fees, service charges, and taxes. Suites are a different story; KU receives six complimentary suites and can use another 10 but must pay 75% of the revenue on those to AEL.

While the university retains 80% of merchandise revenue and can sell sponsorships, all the concessions revenue (including from Arrowhead’s $9 beers) goes to the stadium. 

Progress Report

Arrowhead’s capacity of 76,416 represents a step up from “The Booth’s” 47,233 and is far bigger than Children’s Mercy Park, the soccer-specific stadium where KU played its first two home games and drew an average of 21,161 fans.

Still, KU, languishing near the bottom of the Big 12 with a 2-5 record, hasn’t been able to fill all the seats. Its games at Arrowhead against TCU and Houston have averaged 43,274 spectators, slightly behind last season’s 45,889 average. However, Week 10 and 12 fixtures against undefeated Iowa State and Coach Prime’s Colorado, respectively, could push KU above that mark.

Stadium revenue is a political issue in Kansas City, with the Chiefs contemplating playing elsewhere after county voters this April rejected a 0.375% sales tax for improvements to Arrowhead. None of that will matter to the Jayhawks, however: KU expects David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium to reopen in time for the 2025 season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mark Sanchez Breaks Silence Following Arrest, Hospitalization

Fallout from the Fox analyst’s violent incident continues.
breaking

Penn State Fires James Franklin, Will Pay Nearly $50M Buyout

The Nittany Lions lost again Saturday, falling to 3-3 this season.
Patrick Kraft
exclusive

Penn State, Adidas Deny Wrongdoing Around $300M Apparel Deal

The school and the brand publicly defended their 10-year deal Saturday.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome.

Judge Dismisses Drake’s Super Bowl Defamation Suit

The judge said diss tracks aren’t considered facts.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Sep 27, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

Big Ten Vote on Investment From California Pension Expected Next Week

A vote is expected to happen as early as next week, FOS confirmed.
Congresswoman Lori Trahan talks with people outside the Shriver Job Corps Center in Devens June 18
October 10, 2025

Congresswoman Says College Sports Commission Process Is ‘Harming Athletes’

The CSC’s process is “slow, inefficient, and inscrutable,” Rep. Trahan said.
Oct 9, 2025; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti speaks during Big Ten MenÕs Basketball Media Days at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
October 10, 2025

In an Expanded March Madness, Big Ten Favors Straight Seeding

Discussion around expanding the tournament continues to escalate.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
exclusive
October 9, 2025

LSU Signs Multimillion-Dollar Jersey Patch Deal Before NCAA Approval

A new proposal would allow jersey sponsors in 2026.
October 9, 2025

What If UNC and Belichick Part Ways? The Buyout Structure Is …..

If Belichick is fired without cause in his last two seasons, UNC owes him nothing.
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium
October 8, 2025

UNC’s Disastrous Season Continues With Report of NCAA Rules Violation

A UNC cornerbacks coach reportedly gave sideline passes to a player’s family.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 8, 2025

NCAA Revises the Transfer Portal Windows Around Coaching Changes

The exception for coaching changes is shifting.