The Kansas City Royals have announced their ambitious plan to relocate downtown, unveiling blueprints for a new ballpark in the heart of Kansas City. With an estimated cost exceeding $2 billion, the proposed stadium will rise just blocks away from the bustling T-Mobile Center and the vibrant Power & Light District.
Scheduled to accommodate approximately 34,000 spectators, the stadium aims to be operational by the onset of the 2028 season. While precise details are still in the works, initial renderings depict captivating features such as center field fountains and a pedestrian bridge linking the stadium to the T-Mobile Center.
John Sherman, the owner of the Royals, expressed his vision for Kansas City’s future sports landscape: “We’re the second-smallest city with both an NFL franchise and Major League Baseball club, and we want to sustain ourselves as a major league city. We want these franchises to thrive here for another 50 years.”
Patrick Mahomes, star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and a minority owner of the Royals, endorsed the plans enthusiastically.
Currently, the Royals call Kauffman Stadium their home, situated adjacent to Arrowhead Stadium, approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown. Since relocating to Kauffman in 1973, the franchise undertook renovations, most recently in 2012.
Despite previous attempts to secure alternative locations for a new stadium, last fall’s endeavors yielded no tangible progress.
The Royals intend to inject over $1 billion in private funding into the construction of the new stadium. Sherman highlighted the prospective synergy between the Chiefs’ tailgate experience and the Royals’ envisioned pregame and postgame festivities, foreseeing unparalleled sports experiences for fans.
Sporting a 56-106 record last season, the Royals aim to revitalize their on-field performance. Their last playoff appearance coincided with their 2015 World Series victory, marking their most recent winning season.
Hosting MLB’s All-Star Game in 2012, Kansas City continues to enhance its sports infrastructure, with recent developments including a new airport and an upcoming stadium for the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. Additionally, the city secured six matches for the 2026 World Cup.
Under the guidance of manager Matt Quatraro, the Royals are gearing up for their forthcoming season opener against the Minnesota Twins on March 28th.
