KSHB 41 News reporters Tod Palmer and Charlie Keegan have been covering Kansas City’s sports stadium debate for several years. You can contact Tod or Charlie by email.
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An ordinance laying out a financing framework for a new Royals stadium at Washington Square Park will be introduced Thursday at the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council meeting.
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the framework for a $1.9 billion stadium at the park and nearby Crown Center, calling it the largest economic development project in downtown KCMO’s history.
“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,” Lucas said in a news release Thursday. “The project, with a current estimated investment of $1.9 billion into our city’s workers, our businesses, and our Downtown, will deliver tens of thousands of guests to Downtown Kansas City 81 additional nights per year, and will have more than 300 days per year of year-round engagement, tourist activity, and conference, concert, and special event activation.”
Lucas says the ordinance, if passed, would direct city officials to work with the Kansas City Royals on a series of agreements to build the stadium.
LINK | Read the proposed ordinance
According to the ordinance, the city would contribute up to $600 million to the project through bonds and other financing sources. Lucas says no new taxes will be required, and the city will work to include community benefits that reach “every corner of the city.”
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
The site remains part of the Kansas City Parks and Recreation system.
Lucas says the ordinance anticipates the state — through its Show-Me Sports Investment Act — would fund up to 50% of qualifying stadium costs.
This is a developing story and will be updated. Earlier coverage is below.
KSHB 41’s Charlie Keegan breaks down what we know about KCMO funding ordinance for Royals stadium
EARLIER | An ordinance laying out a financing framework for a new Royals stadium at Washington Square Park will be introduced Thursday at the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council meeting, three sources familiar with the plan confirmed to KSHB 41 News.
We are not naming the sources to protect relationships, as they are not authorized to speak about the stadium financing proposal on the record.
No action on the ordinance is expected from the full council, which is expected to refer it to the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
If the ordinance is voted out of committee at next Tuesday morning’s meeting, it could go before the full city council for approval as soon as next Thursday.
Sources tell KSHB 41 KCMO City Council will introduce plan Thursday to bring Royals stadium downtown
A Royals spokesperson did not immediately provide comment on the report.
It’s been a long journey to get to this point after the Royals announced plans in November 2022 to vacate Kauffman Stadium and build a downtown ballpark.
After a few false starts, considering stadium options in East Village inside the Downtown Loop and in North Kansas City, the club eventually settled on putting a new stadium in the northeast corner of the Crossroads Arts District.
But voters rejected a sales-tax extension in April 2024, which would have moved the Royals downtown across Interstate 670 from the T-Mobile Center. That proposal also would have included renovations at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
When the vote failed, Kansas swooped in with alterations to its STAR Bonds financing tool and poached the Chiefs.
The NFL club announced plans in December 2025 to build a new stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, and a new team headquarters and practice facility in Olathe.
The Chiefs’ move complicated the Royals’ possible relocation plans to Kansas, especially after backlash for the team to abandon any thought of building a new stadium at Aspiria — formerly the Sprint Campus — after acquiring the lease.
Negotiations also stalled with Clay County regarding the North Kansas City site, leaving Washington Square Park as the best, and maybe the only realistic, option.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.kshb.com ’
