The Kansas City Chiefs team presented initial concepts for the complete overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium, which will propel the iconic venue into the future. It is the third oldest stadium in the NFL. The works will commence after the conclusion of the World Cup in 2026. What exactly will change?

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For over fifty years, Arrowhead Stadium has been the home of the Chiefs and the home to many of our fans. Today, we are excited about the opportunity to share our plans to extend the life of Arrowhead for future generations of Chiefs fans, said Clark Hun, Chief executive officer in Kansas City Chiefs at a special press conference.

The club consulted with a team of experts from Populous – one of the world's leading firms in sports design and architecture based, among others, in Kansas City. All of this is to elevate the already revered venue to even greater heights. The design team presented visualizations of proposed enhancements that will allow Arrowhead Stadium to remain a magnificent home for the four-time Super Bowl champion for decades to come. The goal is also to maintain its status as a cultural landmark for Kansas City and the entire Midwest.

The scope of the renovation will encompass every aspect of the 52-year-old building, from the leisure areas to the luxury amenities. A new parking lot will be built, along with new pedestrian walkways. Additionally, new VIP entrances will be introduced, and a new, wider tunnel will be constructed to significantly ease access to the field level. The VIP area will also undergo modernization.

In the Chiefs' end zones, excavations are planned beneath the existing structure to create club spaces similar to those found at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. There will also be an upper concourse with a 360-degree view, facilitating easier movement for fans throughout the stadium. This will also create more food, restroom, and retail points, reducing congestion in other parts of the stadium.

Video boards will be enlarged while maintaining their iconic shape to complement the unique curved zones of the stadium, and new LED ribbon boards will be installed. Wi-Fi, DAS (distributed antenna system), and audio system technology will also be upgraded. These enhancements will be implemented throughout the stadium, improving connectivity as well as the clarity and quality of presentations in the stadium.

Will Kauffman Stadium be included as well?

Near Arrowhead is Kauffman Stadium, home to the Royals team. This club also plans an investment, but it involves constructing an entirely new stadium in a different location. This opens up new possibilities for the Chiefs, who plan to take over that area. In that case, Kauffman will be demolished, and in its place, a grass-covered Activation Zone with a roofed entertainment area will be created. Chiefs and Royals have not yet signed lease agreements or social service agreements.

The original Truman sports complex plan envisioned a retractable roof that could cover both Arrowhead and the nearby Kauffman stadiums, but the structure was never built. The Chiefs revisited the idea of a roof over Arrowhead about two decades ago when it underwent its last major renovation, but public opinion was skeptical of the project, and the idea was ultimately rejected. Although a roof could help Kansas City host the Super Bowl, Hunt said that a roof was never seriously considered for renovation because the team prefers to play outdoors.

Earliest in 6 years?

Clark Hunt claims that the total cost of renovation is estimated at $800 million. He also states that the Hunt family plans to invest $300 million in the project and will cover any cost overruns to limit the state and taxpayers' expenses. The remaining $500 million would come from as yet unspecified funding sources, including public funds from Missouri.

Although the exact number of seats after the renovation has not been determined at this time, Hunt claims that the stadium will still be able to accommodate over 70,000 spectators. Work could begin as early as 2027, and the renovated stadium will be open in 2030 or 2031.