Kansas City Council Approves $1.9 Billion Royals Stadium Plan
The Kansas City City Council approved financing and rezoning for a new $1.9 billion Kansas City Royals ballpark at Crown Center scheduled to open by 2030.
The City Council of Kansas City, Missouri approved three measures on October 8, 2026, to finalize the financing and rezoning for a new $1.9 billion baseball stadium for the Kansas City Royals at Crown Center. The package authorizes up to $537 million in state-issued revenue bonds and establishes a tax-increment financing (TIF) district. The city's total public funding commitment is $600 million, consisting of $510 million for construction and $90 million for infrastructure.
The project includes a $1.2 billion stadium, a $200 million team headquarters, and $500 million in infrastructure. The Royals will provide at least $760 million in private funding and plan an additional $1 billion investment for a surrounding mixed-use entertainment district. A study by Hunden Partners projects the TIF district will generate $1.4 billion in tax revenue through 2059 to cover debt service.
Mayor Quinton Lucas described the deal as a transformational investment to keep Major League Baseball and Hallmark Cards in the city. However, the project faces opposition from some council members and critics who argue the total public investment will reach $1.393 billion over the life of the loan. The project also faces a Missouri Supreme Court lawsuit regarding the state's funding plan and a potential April 2027 voter referendum driven by Missouri Workers Power to require public votes for future sports facility spending.
