Arrowhead Stadium

Some legislators in both chambers objected to the move since the House unexpectedly failed to pass the part of the budget funding capital improvement projects across the state last week.

Under the plan from Gov. Mike Kehoe, the state would help pay up to half the cost of a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs, though the overall cost was not clear. Mayor Quinton Lucas said Kansas City "strongly supports the legislation."

After voters overwhelmingly rejected the stadium sales tax last year, Jackson County and Missouri officials are struggling to coordinate on a plan to stop the teams from moving to Kansas. The only viable stadium bill now centers around Clay County.

Jackson County legislator Sean Smith says it's essential for the county to "straighten out the property tax debacles" if it wants to keep the Chiefs and Royals local. Smith was one of two county lawmakers to meet with Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe last week for closed-door discussions over the matter.

Jackson County legislator Sean Smith, who along with a handful of local lawmakers met with Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe last week, says it's essential for the county to "straighten out the property tax debacles" if it wants voters to pass a future stadium sales tax measure to keep the teams in town.

When owner Lamar Hunt moved the Dallas Texans to Kansas City in 1963 and changed the name to the Chiefs, he was urged by then-Mayor Roe Bartle to feature a live band at Arrowhead Stadium. The tradition lasted more than four decades.

The temperature at kickoff Saturday is expected to be in the low to mid-20s, but northerly winds could make it feel much colder. After facing the coldest game in Arrowhead history last year, fans, players and medical personnel are more than ready.

The Kansas City Chiefs already clinched the AFC's top playoff spot as they rest their stars ahead of another Super Bowl push. The team looks to be clicking at exactly the right time to make it three-in-a-row.

The University of Kansas announced in January that it would play some of its home football games at Arrowhead Stadium. Since that time, KU has been negotiating with the Chiefs and hadn't reached an agreement three days before the game.

The Jackson County Legislature voted Monday against placing the proposed sales tax on the November ballot. It would have only supported the Chiefs in a play to keep the team in Missouri, leaving negotiations with the Royals to Kansas City and Missouri.

Kansas City's mayor joined KCUR's Up To Date for a discussion about the future of sports in the metro — including the pressure around keeping the Chiefs and Royals, and chaos in the committee helping to organize the 2026 World Cup. But there's one thing Quinton Lucas isn't worried about: President Biden's ability to run for president.

Under a bill being considered during the Kansas special legislative session, the Chiefs and Royals could receive more than $750 million to help finance stadium projects if they move to Kansas.