The Kansas City Chiefs are heading toward a big change. By 2031, the team plans to leave Arrowhead Stadium and move into a new $3 billion stadium across the state line in Kansas. For some Chiefs fans, though, saying goodbye to Arrowhead is not going to be easy.

The new stadium is expected to seat more than 70,000 people and will have a fully enclosed roof with translucent ETFE panels. The field is expected to use natural grass, while the venue is being planned to host Super Bowls, Final Fours, World Cups and concerts.

“A lot of mixed feelings,” longtime fan Joe O’Flaherty said. “On one hand, I understand the economics of things and how we have to kind of keep up with the Joneses, so to speak. But this place is just so special.”

The project will also be part of a much larger development in Olathe. The Chiefs plan to invest $1 billion in a new headquarters and practice facility, along with hotels, offices, homes, shopping and dining. Still, the move means leaving a stadium that has hosted every Chiefs home game since 1972.

“If I had my druthers, I would like them to stay here forever,” Thompson said, according to Sports Illustrated. “I understand things change, and I guess time marches on.”

The move across the Missouri-Kansas border has also become part of the conversation. Kansas City has long been divided by the state line, and some fans feel that history makes the relocation more complicated.

“It doesn’t bother me too much,” O’Flaherty said. “This community is a great community, but that state line is a problem.”

David Schloegel, a 14-year season-ticket holder, sees the situation differently after watching Kansas City, Missouri fail to secure the team’s future.

“I was mixed originally, but now I feel like KCMO has kind of dropped the ball,” Schloegel said. “I think this could be a new chapter.”

Then there is the name. The Chiefs have said they plan to pursue naming-rights sponsorship, but some fans want Arrowhead to remain part of the stadium’s identity.

“One hundred percent, unequivocally, they should keep the name,” Thompson said.

For now, Arrowhead is still home. The Chiefs have time left there, but the countdown to their next chapter in Kansas has already begun.

The Chiefs are focused on the present, but their future home is already becoming a major talking point.

Could the Chiefs’ latest win reveal a bigger issue?

The Kansas City Chiefs had to stay patient to keep their perfect start alive. Miami pushed them for most of Sunday, but Kansas City pulled away late to beat the Dolphins 24-10 and move to 3-0.

Kenneth Walker led the way on the ground, scoring twice while finishing with 70 rushing yards. Patrick Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception after opening the game with 11 straight completions.

“My hat goes off to the Dolphins and the job they did,” Reid said, according to United Press International. “Jeff Hafley has done a nice job with that group. They are a young group like we are. They fly around.”

Miami even had more than nine minutes of possession time, while the Chiefs held a narrow 334-329 edge in total yards.

Kansas City finally created some breathing room late. After a 13-play, 80-yard drive ended with a Harrison Butker field goal, the Chiefs stopped Miami on downs before Mahomes found Travis Kelce for an 11-yard touchdown with 3:01 left.

The Chiefs now turn their attention to the Raiders in Week 4, while Miami will face the Vikings.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit