Stadium Showdown: Missouri Passes Bill to Stop Chiefs and Royals from Leaving

The Missouri House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a sweeping plan aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals from leaving the Show-Me State. The move comes as both teams continue to weigh their stadium futures, with the possibility of relocation looming—particularly to neighboring Kansas.

Filed as Senate Bill 3, the legislation includes the newly established Show-Me Sports Investment Act, a framework designed to allow the state to partner financially in new or renovated stadium projects tied to professional sports franchises. The bill, carried in the House by Rep. Alex Brown and sponsored by Sen. Curtis Trent in the Senate, received strong support from Republicans and now heads to the governor’s desk.

Under the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, Missouri could enter into agreements with sports franchises that would allow the state to contribute funding based on the current tax revenue generated by each team’s existing facility. The law ensures that no more than 50 percent of any stadium project would be financed with state-backed funds, and that those funds would only match the tax revenues already being brought in—a guardrail against ballooning costs. Agreements would be limited to 30 years, and if a team relocates during that time, the franchise would be required to repay the state for all funds spent, including any outstanding bond obligations.

The bill also offers private investors tax credits worth up to 50 percent of contributions made toward project-related infrastructure, capped at $50 million per project. These credits can be transferred, sold, or carried forward for up to five years. Local governments will also need to contribute to infrastructure costs, ensuring that both the public and private sectors are sharing the financial load.

While the stadium incentives drew the most attention, SB 3 is part of a broader tax package. It expands tax credits for amateur sporting events, raises the per-ticket and per-participant amounts, and simplifies the application process. It also offers a one-time tax credit of up to $5,000 for homeowners paying insurance deductibles due to natural disasters in 2025 and creates a path for counties to offer property tax freezes for eligible residents via a ballot measure in April 2026.

After session adjourned, Lee’s Summit Republican and House Speaker Jonathan Patterson spoke to reporters. “I’m just very happy that Missouri has a chance to be one of the 22 states that has an NFL franchise,” he said. Patterson has been a vocal advocate of keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri, framing the issue not just as an economic decision but as one of pride and identity for the state.

With Kansas legislators exploring their own plans to lure the franchises across state lines, Wednesday’s passage of SB 3 signals that Missouri is serious about staying competitive. If signed into law, key provisions will take effect beginning July 1, 2026. For now, Missouri lawmakers have made it clear: they’re playing to win.