KCK, Olathe to Vote on Chiefs Stadium Deal Funding

Local governments will decide whether to pledge sales tax revenue to finance new stadium and practice facility

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs' plan to build a new $3 billion stadium in Kansas City, Kansas and a $1 billion practice facility in Olathe, Kansas hinges on approval from local governments to divert sales tax revenue to pay off the state-issued bonds that will finance the projects. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and the Olathe City Council will both vote this month on whether to pledge local sales tax revenue within defined districts around the stadium and practice facility sites to help pay off the STAR bonds used to finance the developments.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' stadium and practice facility projects are major economic development initiatives for the Kansas City region, but the plan relies heavily on redirecting local sales tax revenue to pay off the state bonds. If the local governments reject the funding plans, it could create a significant funding gap and potentially derail the entire project.

The details

In Wyandotte County, officials are considering a 236-acre site northwest of the Kansas Speedway for the new stadium. The Unified Government is being asked to pledge 100% of local sales and use tax revenue generated within that district to help pay off the STAR bonds. In Olathe, the city is considering a 165-acre site near College Boulevard and Ridgeview Road for the new Chiefs practice facility. Olathe would pledge 100% of local sales tax revenue and 7% of its 9% transient guest tax from the district to the project.

  • The Olathe City Council is scheduled to vote on the Olathe practice facility district on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • The Unified Government of Wyandotte County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the Kansas City, Kansas stadium district on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Kansas City Chiefs

The professional American football team that is planning to build a new $3 billion stadium in Kansas City, Kansas and a $1 billion practice facility in Olathe, Kansas.

Unified Government of Wyandotte County

The local government in Wyandotte County, Kansas that will vote on whether to pledge local sales tax revenue to help finance the new Chiefs stadium.

Olathe City Council

The local government in Olathe, Kansas that will vote on whether to pledge local sales tax revenue to help finance the new Chiefs practice facility.

Patrick Lowry

A spokesperson at the Kansas Department of Commerce who provided details on the state's involvement in the Chiefs stadium deal.

Laura Kelly

The Governor of Kansas who announced the Chiefs stadium and practice facility plans in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Revenue from the local level is a key part of the financing structure. If the local taxes are not pledged, it would create a significant funding gap.”

— Patrick Lowry, Spokesperson, Kansas Department of Commerce (kansascity.com)

What’s next

If the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and the Olathe City Council approve the local funding plans, the state will then finalize the terms of the broader STAR bond district that will redirect state sales tax revenue to the projects. Construction on the stadium and practice facility could begin as soon as 2028 under the current timeline.

The takeaway

The success of the Chiefs' stadium and practice facility projects hinges on approval from local governments in Wyandotte County and Olathe to redirect significant portions of their sales tax revenue to help finance the developments. If either local government rejects the funding plans, it could jeopardize the entire project.