Kansas City Royals Inch Closer to Downtown Relocation

City approves lease for team to use Washington Square Park site

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:13am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the abstract forms of a baseball stadium and surrounding city buildings, rendered in a palette of muted blues, greys, and browns to convey the complexity of the Royals' relocation plans.The Kansas City Royals' potential move to a new downtown stadium remains a divisive issue, with the team's search for a suitable site exposing the complex urban landscape.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners have approved a resolution authorizing the city to execute a lease agreement with the Kansas City Royals to use Washington Square Park as the potential site for a new downtown ballpark, moving the team one step closer to relocating from its current home at Kauffman Stadium.

Why it matters

The Royals' potential move to a new downtown stadium has been a contentious issue in Kansas City, with voters rejecting a sales tax increase in 2024 that would have helped fund the project. This latest development signals the team is making progress on securing a new home, despite ongoing community debate over the costs and benefits of such a relocation.

The details

Under the approved lease agreement, the Royals would be able to use Washington Square Park as the site for a new ballpark. The team has been exploring options to build a new stadium in the downtown area after failing to secure public funding for renovations to their current home at Kauffman Stadium.

  • In April 2024, Jackson County residents voted to reject a sales tax that would have helped fund renovations at the Kansas City Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium and fund the building of a new Kansas City Royals ballpark in downtown Kansas City.
  • The Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners approved the resolution authorizing the lease agreement in April 2026.

The players

Kansas City Royals

A Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners

The governing body responsible for managing and maintaining the city's parks and public spaces.

Washington Square Park

A public park located in downtown Kansas City that has been identified as a potential site for a new Royals ballpark.

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What’s next

The Royals and city officials will now work to finalize the lease agreement and begin the process of planning and designing a new downtown ballpark.

The takeaway

The Royals' potential move to a new downtown stadium remains a contentious issue, with the team making progress on securing a site despite ongoing community debate over the costs and benefits of such a relocation.