Kansas City Royals Announce Relocation Plans After 50 Years

MLB team eyes move to North Kansas City or downtown location by 2031 season

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:54pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the Kansas City Royals' baseball stadium and surrounding cityscape broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant blues, reds, and muted greys, conceptually representing the team's relocation plans.The Royals' impending relocation from their longtime Kauffman Stadium home sparks a cubist reimagining of the team's future in Kansas City.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals have announced plans to relocate from their longtime home at Kauffman Stadium after the 2030 season. The team's lease at Kauffman, where they have played since 1973, expires in 2030. Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman said the team is considering two potential new locations: North Kansas City and downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Why it matters

The Royals' relocation marks the end of an era for the MLB team, which has been a fixture in Kansas City for over 50 years. The move also raises questions about the future of the Truman Sports Complex, which houses both the Royals' Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium.

The details

Sherman said the team has not set a timeline for finalizing a new stadium location, but wants the process to move forward 'sooner rather than later.' The downtown Kansas City location would be at Washington Square Park, east of Union Station. Sherman acknowledged the team will need to move quickly, noting that the Atlanta Braves were able to build their new stadium in just 39 months.

  • The Royals' lease at Kauffman Stadium expires after the 2030 season.
  • Jackson County has set a deadline to decide the future of the Truman Sports Complex, which houses both Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium.

The players

John Sherman

Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Royals.

Kansas City Royals

A Major League Baseball team that has played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri since 1973.

Kansas City Chiefs

A National Football League team that plays at Arrowhead Stadium, which is also located within the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City.

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What they’re saying

“I think we've talked enough about… certainly North Kansas City. They've done a nice job with both land assemblage and political leadership up there. There are still some discussions going on with the Kansas side, and then certainly the other one is Kansas City, Missouri, downtown.”

— John Sherman, Chairman and CEO, Kansas City Royals

“We still have a cushion there. I think Atlanta built their stadium, I think from start to finish in 39 months. So, we've got a little bit of a cushion, but not a big one. It's time to get on with it.”

— John Sherman, Chairman and CEO, Kansas City Royals

What’s next

Jackson County has set a deadline to decide the future of the Truman Sports Complex, which houses both the Royals' Kauffman Stadium and the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium.

The takeaway

The Royals' relocation plans mark the end of an era for the team and the city of Kansas City, raising questions about the future of the Truman Sports Complex and the potential impact on the local community. The team's decision to consider both North Kansas City and downtown locations suggests they are weighing various factors, including cost, accessibility, and community impact.