The Kansas City Royals will relocate from Kauffman Stadium to the downtown Crown Center area, initiating a $3 billion project with Hallmark Cards. This development will feature a new ballpark as its focal point.
Royals owner John Sherman announced Wednesday that the $1.9 billion stadium is slated to break ground next year within Crown Center. The project encompasses 85 acres, with two-thirds of the funding sourced privately and one-third from public partners, including state allocations for stadium initiatives.
Sherman described the venture as a partnership between "two treasured Kansas City institutions," aiming to honor their histories while forging a new future.
This announcement follows a city ordinance authorizing negotiations for a $600 million downtown relocation deal. The new stadium will be situated just south of Washington Square Park.
Hallmark plans to construct a new headquarters in the vicinity, which is already connected by streetcar to the Power & Light District.
Missouri's financial contribution stems from a law allowing bonds for stadium costs, tax credits, and aid from local governments.
The Royals' lease at Kauffman Stadium expires in 2031, and owner John Sherman has long intended to build a downtown ballpark.
A previous joint plan with the Kansas City Chiefs to renovate Arrowhead Stadium and replace Kauffman Stadium was rejected by voters in April 2024. This led the franchises to pursue separate paths.
Neighboring Kansas had offered substantial funding for the Chiefs' new stadium, but the NFL team ultimately opted to remain in Missouri. While Kansas officials initially pursued the Royals, their interest was reportedly lukewarm.
Economists often question the community benefits of subsidizing stadiums, yet public funding for such venues remains common across MLB and NFL.
Sherman cited Truist Park in Atlanta, a public-private partnership with a total cost exceeding $1.1 billion, as an example of successful development. The Royals' project aims to create a modern ballpark experience in a central downtown location, accessible to public transportation and a denser population.