A major change will take place in the AFC West in 2031. The Kansas City Chiefs will no longer reside inside the Missouri state lines.
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Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star broke the news on Monday, the day after the Chiefs lost to the Titans. The sports columnist reported that the Chiefs informed administrative officials that they would announce their upcoming move to Kansas.
The team then met with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly as she and team owner Clark Hunt posted with a No. 31 Chiefs jersey. This photo opportunity took place ahead of the planned announcement at 4 p.m. ET.
Clark Hunt and Laura Kelly holding a “Chiefs 31” jersey. pic.twitter.com/ulRPOPFuZt
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) December 22, 2025
"Today we are excited to take another momentous step for the future of the franchise," Hunt said in a letter to the fans. "We have entered into an agreement with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season.
"In the years ahead, we look forward to designing and building a state-of-the-art domed stadium and mixed-use district in Wyandotte County, and a best-in-class training facility, team headquarters, and mixed-use district in Olathe, totaling a minimum of $4 billion of development in the State of Kansas."
According to McDowell, top Republican and Democrat lawmakers met at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka to discuss a massive subsidy deal that would lure the Chiefs out of Missouri. The Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) unanimously approved a Chiefs stadium deal in Kansas.
How did this deal happen? According to the Kansas City Star, the state plans to use "a supercharged version of its Sales Tax and Revenue" (STAR) bonds program. This program funds attractions by paying developers back with sales tax revenue generated through future tourism.
The Kansas City Star notes that this program can fund up to 70% of a new stadium project. The estimated cost to build this new stadium will be $3 billion.
The Chiefs have played their home games at Arrowhead Stadium since the 1972 season. The lease on this facility runs through the 2030 season, hence the No. 31 on the Gov. Kelly's jersey.
Chiefs flags are now going up outside the State office building in Topeka ahead of @GovLauraKelly announcement today. @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/aWVSX9Z7Hm
— Kevin Holmes (@kholmesKSHB) December 22, 2025
The perennial Super Bowl contenders had an opportunity to remain in Missouri, but a vote altered the team's future. Back in 2024, voters in Jackson County rejected a proposal to extend a local sales tax for 40 years.
This would have funded a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals of the MLB and provided funds for renovations to Arrowhead Stadium. Instead, the voters' decision opened up a path for the state of Kansas to make its pitch to the NFL team.
