Jefferson County Voters Reject Proposed Sales Tax for Royals and Chiefs Stadiums, Leaving Future Uncertain

The future of stadium projects for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals hangs in the balance after voters rejected Jackson County Question 1, which would have implemented a 3/8th-cent sales tax to fund these projects. The increased sales tax was expected to support a new downtown ballpark for the Royals and renovations to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.

Kauffman Stadium, where the Royals play, is the sixth oldest active MLB stadium, with its first game held in 1973. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs, is the third oldest active NFL stadium, having opened in 1972 and undergone several renovations over the years. Notable Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were featured in an advertisement encouraging Jackson County voters to approve the measure.

Despite expectations from Chiefs owner Clark Hunt that the measure would pass, voters ultimately decided against it. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas expressed optimism for future collaborations with the teams to ensure their presence in Kansas City for generations to come. Before the election, polling from Remington Research Group showed a close split among respondents, with 47% in favor and 46% against the sales tax. The outcome of this vote will shape