Royals could relocate into downtown baseball stadium in response to Chiefs’ Kansas decision
Just days after the Chiefs announced their move out of Missouri, a historic Kansas City landmark has launched a bid to bring the Royals downtown.
The two iconic franchises currently play side-by-side at Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium, around eight miles east of downtown.
But come 2031, the Chiefs will move across state lines into Kansas, and Missouri without an NFL team.
The decision to build a $4 billion domed stadium in Wyandotte County represents a new era for the four-time Super Bowl champions, but the future of the Royals remains up in the air.
Like their neighbors, the MLB franchise could abandon Missouri once their lease at Kauffman expires in January 2031, but they could also explore the possibility of downtown baseball in Kansas City.
The latter option is said to be owner John Sherman’s preference, and he has received a boost in the form of a powerful statement from Union Station.
Kansas City landmark calls for return of downtown baseball
Built more than 110 years ago, Union Station opened in October 1914 and was once the third-largest station in the United States with a stunning grand hall.
A century on, it stands as a cherished Kansas City monument that has housed numerous exhibitions, theaters and restaurants, as well as an Amtrak service.
It has seen numerous teams pass through over the years, and is now calling for baseball to return.
“The time has come for downtown baseball, and a return to where the story first began… in the heart of Kansas City, where we gather to celebrate its triumphs, traditions, and most cherished moments,” a statement from Union Station, shared on X, read.
“At this moment, Union Station glows in Royals blue, serving as a powerful symbol of a truly generational opportunity rooted in both history and hope.
“Long before today, however, teams and ballparks — some now remembered only in name — laid the foundation for baseball in our historic core.
“Included are the Unions at Athletic Park in 1884. The Kansas City Cowboys at League Park in 1886. The Royal Giants at Shelley Park in 1910. The Packers at Gordon & Koppel Field beginning in 1913. The Kansas City Blues at Association Park in the early 1920s, before moving in 1923 — along with the Monarchs — to what would eventually be called Municipal Stadium.
“In 1955, the Athletics started playing in a nearly entirely rebuilt Municipal Stadium, followed by the Royals in 1969 before their move to Royals Stadium in 1973.
“Now, a new chapter in Kansas City’s baseball story is ready to unfold. Included is a sincere expression of gratitude for the visionaries and leaders who brought us here — from the enduring legacy of Ewing Kauffman to today’s Royals ownership, led by John Sherman.
“The restoration and reopening of Union Station 25 years ago — made possible by the shared commitment of citizens on both sides of the state line — marked a turning point for our city.
“Since then, our downtown has been re-imagined and revitalized, earning recognition across the nation and beyond. We are vital and vibrant and not turning back.
“So, we look ahead with clarity and optimism. We see an opportunity to bring baseball’s legends, legacy, and love back to the place where it all began.
“A downtown ballpark offers something special — an exciting atmosphere that draws together friends, families, and fans in moments of shared joy. It strengthens community, celebrates teamwork, and reminds us of the simple beauty of the game.
“It’s time to welcome downtown baseball home — once again, for all of Kansas City.”
The message from Union Station is clear, but the Royals have a big decision to make.
Where could the Royals build a new ballpark?
While moving downtown is said to be Sherman’s preference, the team has been stung in the past.
Plans to build a new $2bn ballpark were scuppered earlier this year, when voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rebuked a proposed sales tax measure which would have helped fund it.
That allowed Kansas to swoop, and the Chiefs have already been lured across state lines with an inciting Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds package.
Now the Royals have a big decision to make: They can look to move downtown, or follow the Chiefs over the border.
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