Chiefs fans blast ‘dumb’ decision to turn down $1.5billion to stay at Arrowhead for $3b Kansas stadium

Kansas City Chiefs fans have hit out at the franchise after it was confirmed they will leave Arrowhead Stadium for a new $3 billion domed arena in Kansas. 

The franchise confirmed on Monday that they have reached a momentous agreement with the State of Kansas to host games beginning in the 2031 season.

The ambitious project includes a $3 billion stadium, set to open in six years time, alongside a new team headquarters and training facility in Olathe, Kansas. 

Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt announced that, as a result of the agreement, the team will relocate across the Missouri River to a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility in Wyandotte County.

Hunt hailed the move as a ‘momentous step for the franchise’, however, the decision was met by a somber response from Missouri officials, who revealed that the Chiefs turned down a stunning $1.5 billion offer to stay at Arrowhead.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who was informed of the move by team president Mark Donovan, called the day a ‘setback as a Kansas Citian’.

‘We are professionals and understand the Chiefs have a business to run and today made a business decision,’ Lucas admitted according to KCTV.

‘Business decisions are a reality, and we all understand that, but Arrowhead Stadium is more – it’s family, tradition, and a part of Kansas City we will never leave’.

The Mayor revealed that Jackson County, the City, and the State of Missouri had organized a massive $1.5 billion package that he described as ‘compelling for team officials and responsible for taxpayers’.

Similarly to Lucas, the Chiefs’ decision to leave Arrowhead has also gone down badly among Chiefs fans, who feel the team is abandoning decades of their history. 

Taking to X shortly after the news was confirmed, one fan said: ‘Chiefs moving out of Arrowhead is one of the dumbest decisions ever made.

‘You have a historic franchise with a historic stadium… Giving up all of that just to host a Super Bowl a couple of times. SMH.’ 

‘Speaking as an outsider Arrowhead Stadium was one of the things that made the Chiefs cool long before they were actually cool. It really is a place like no other,’ another wrote on X. 

After renderings of what the potential new Chiefs stadium could look like re-emerged on social media, some fans were left unimpressed. 

‘I have no opinion on the Kansas vs Missouri argument for having the Chiefs,’ one fan said. ‘I do have an opinion on the proposed stadium. (If this is legit). 

‘This looks like every other new stadium. So generic, so boring, so unimaginative. Please go back to the drawing board.’ 

Back in May 2024, an NFL stadium architect released images of a potential new and domed Chiefs stadium that would be situated in Kansas.

Other frustrated supporters took direct aim at Clark Hunt, blaming the owner’s leadership for moving the team 20 miles west.

‘It’s a great day to remind everyone who’s solely responsible for the Kansas City Chiefs building a new stadium 20 miles west of Arrowhead: Clark Hunt. That’s it. That’s the list,’ a supporter posted.

Meanwhile, some supporters also voiced concerns over the infrastructure in the new Kansas location.

‘They gonna have to expand 670 [Interstate 670] to get thru downtown now with the Chiefs moving right?? Them two lanes ain’t gonna cut it,’ one warned.

However, while some in Kansas are concerned, the relocation has also left Missouri residents who lived near the stadium feeling discarded.

‘We have been loyal fans. I can see your stadium from my window,’ one fan wrote. ‘We have gladly dealt with the traffic, the noise, all the people.

‘Now you c*** on us and go to Kansas. I’m sick by this as is many others. I don’t think I’ll continue to buy Chiefs gear… or spend my money on a team that left us for greed.’

Despite the backlash, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated the team on the achievement in a statement released on Monday afternoon.

‘This public-private partnership… will build upon the Hunts’ generational legacy by boldly investing in one of America’s greatest fan bases,’ Goodell said.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Gov. David Toland claimed it is ‘the largest economic win in Kansas history’ and added that ‘this win will also cement Kansas as a global destination for sports and entertainment’.

‘The Chiefs are a part of who we are as Kansans, and now, they’ll be such an important part of our future for years and generations to come.’ 

The decision will see the Chiefs bid farewell to Arrowhead Stadium, which is the third-oldest stadium in the league – behind only Soldier Field and Lambeau Field.

It marks the second time that the state of Missouri has seen an NFL franchise move away, after the St Louis Rams opted to relocate to Los Angeles back in 2016. 

Interestingly, the Kansas City Royals have not announced any plans for a new stadium – but did previously float ideas for a $2bn ballpark in downtown Kansas City in 2022. 

The project will be 60 percent publicly funded through tax incentives, with the Hunt family committing an additional $1 billion in development.

The announcement comes as the team faces scrutiny over its current infrastructure, with the NFLPA’s 2025 Report Card ranking the Chiefs’ facilities 26th out of 32 teams.

According to the report, the team’s ranking was helped significantly by a top-tier ‘A-‘ grade for their nutritionist, following the hire of a new dietician.

However, the franchise continues to struggle across the board in other key areas, receiving a ‘D-‘ for its locker room and low rankings for training and weight rooms.

Players also reported that the team’s home game hotel is ‘below standard,’ ranking it dead last in the entire NFL.