Chiefs Tight End Kelce Reflects on Team's Move to Kansas

Longtime Chiefs star acknowledges both opportunities and heartbreak in the team's relocation plans.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shared his thoughts on the team's upcoming move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new stadium in Kansas. While Kelce acknowledged the business opportunities for the team's owners, he also expressed sadness at the Chiefs leaving their longtime home and the Missouri side of Kansas City.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' move represents a significant shift for one of the NFL's most storied franchises and will impact the team's players, staff, and millions of loyal fans in the Kansas City region. Kelce's perspective provides insight into how this change is being received within the organization.

The details

In December 2025, the Chiefs announced plans to relocate the team from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new stadium in Kansas by the 2031 season. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt cited the 'world-class stadium' and 'surrounding development' as key factors in the decision. On his podcast, Kelce shared that while the move presents 'unbelievable' opportunities for the team's owners, it will also be 'kind of heartbreaking' to leave Arrowhead and the Missouri side of Kansas City, which he described as part of the 'old professional sports' business.

  • The Chiefs announced plans to relocate to Kansas in December 2025.
  • The team is expected to complete the move by the 2031 season.

The players

Travis Kelce

A three-time Super Bowl champion and longtime tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Clark Hunt

The chairman of the Kansas City Chiefs organization.

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What they’re saying

“The owners get so much more opportunity [by] getting to the outskirts of the city, and it's hard to argue with those opportunities. We're dealing with it right now in Kansas City.”

— Travis Kelce, Chiefs Tight End (New Heights Podcast)

“Today is an extraordinary day in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs. We are excited to partner with the State of Kansas to bring a world-class stadium to our fans. This project represents another step in our legacy of innovation and our fan-first mentality, which started with my father, Lamar Hunt.”

— Clark Hunt, Chiefs Chairman (Chiefs Organization Statement)

What’s next

The Chiefs are expected to continue planning and development for their new stadium in Kansas, with the move expected to be completed by the 2031 NFL season.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' move to Kansas represents a significant shift for one of the NFL's most iconic franchises, with longtime star Travis Kelce acknowledging both the business opportunities and the emotional toll of leaving the team's longtime home in Missouri. The relocation highlights the complex realities of modern professional sports, where owners must balance fan loyalty with strategic business decisions.