Kansas City Council announces stadium ordinance aiming to keep Royals in Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mayor Quinton Lucas and Kansas City Council members announced an ordinance on Thursday that aims to keep the Royals inside Missouri borders.

The new ordinance, would authorize the city manager to enter into a development agreement for the design, construction and operation of a new "Downtown Baseball District" in Kansas City.

If passed, the district would include a new stadium and office tower, along with supporting infrastructure in and around Washington Square Park and Crown Center area.

An estimated $1.9 billion would be needed to construct the new facilities downtown, with $600 million coming from the city. City funds would be financed through bonds, per meeting documents.

The state is also expected to help fund the project, which would be though the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which could have the state fund 50% of the costs. The act was passed during the summer 2025 special session while the state made an attempt to keep the Royals and Chiefs within Missouri borders. The Chiefs eventually announced a move to Kansas in December.

Residents are not expected to see an increase in taxes in order to help the building process.

"The new Royals Downtown Stadium is not just a stadium development. When completed, it will be the largest single economic development project in the history of Downtown Kansas City," Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a social media post at the start of Thursday's meeting.

Today, Mayor Lucas and Council colleagues will introduce legislation to bring the Royals downtown.

A new $1.9 billion ballpark at Washington Square Park and Crown Center would be the largest economic development project in downtown KC history, with no new taxes and community… pic.twitter.com/ljHTnRO7vE

— Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) April 9, 2026