The Kansas City Royals have announced plans for a $1.9 billion downtown ballpark, funded by at least $600 million from the city. This project will also include an 85-acre mixed-use development in partnership with Hallmark Cards.
Key points
Royals announced plans for a $1.9 billion ballpark
Project includes at least $600 million from Kansas City
Funding approved without a referendum
Development features 85-acre mixed-use area
Partnership with Hallmark Cards for the project
Mentioned in this story
Kansas City RoyalsHallmark CardsKansas City
Show-Me Sports Investment Act
Two years after Kansas City voters roundly rejected a ballot initiative that would have funded a new stadium for the Royals, the ballclub announced plans for a downtown ballpark that will rely on at least $600 million in city funds that were approved without a referendum.
The Royals announced plans Wednesday, April 22 for a $1.9 billion ballpark at Crown Center and Washington Square Park that is also expected to include an 85-acre mixed-use development. In addition to the city of Kansas City, an unspecified contribution will come from the state of Missouri via its "Show-Me Sports Investment Act."
The development is in conjunction with Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards, whose chairman announced the company will relocate within Crown Center.
"Our founder Ewing Kauffman wanted the Royals to be Kansas City’s forever, and he wanted the team to benefit his hometown as much as possible," Royals CEO and Chairman John Sherman said in a prepared statement. "Joining Hallmark with this project achieves both and extends the Hall family’s critical legacy of helping Kansas City grow.”
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
Q&A
What are the details of the Royals' new stadium plans?
The Royals plan to build a $1.9 billion ballpark at Crown Center and Washington Square Park, featuring an 85-acre mixed-use development.
How much funding is Kansas City providing for the new Royals stadium?
Kansas City is providing at least $600 million in funding for the new stadium, approved without a referendum.
What is the Show-Me Sports Investment Act and its role in the stadium funding?
The Show-Me Sports Investment Act will contribute an unspecified amount of funding from the state of Missouri to support the stadium project.
Who is partnering with the Royals on the new stadium project?
The Royals are partnering with Hallmark Cards, which will relocate within Crown Center as part of the development.
Related Articles
Sports
A'ja Wilson? Caitlin Clark? Who to take with the No. 1 fantasy women's hoops pick
ESPN News·
Soccer
Rosenior was out of his depth at Chelsea, and it was obvious from the start
Liam Rosenior's time at Chelsea ended after just 106 days amid criticism.
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports·Feature
WNBA to broadcast record 216 games nationally
Exciting news: WNBA will broadcast a record 216 games nationally in 2026!
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports
Nev: Chelsea owners don't have a clue - fans will be disgusted how this has gone
Gary Neville criticizes Chelsea's management for firing Liam Rosenior, marking their fifth managerial change in four years.
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti refuses offseason appearances, except for Indy 500
Indiana's Curt Cignetti Focuses on Team, Avoids Offseason Events
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Why Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker makes sense for the Patriots at No. 31
Clemson's T.J. Parker could be the Patriots' choice at No. 31 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
2 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
3 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
4 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
5 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
6 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
7 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
8 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
9 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
10 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
11 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
12 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
13 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
14 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
15 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
16 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
17 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
18 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
19 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
20 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
21 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
The announcement comes two years after Kansas City voters came out strongly – 58% – against a stadium funding bill for the Royals and Chiefs, the latter since announcing plans to move to Kansas. This project still faces significant hurdles, including final approval from city council, a development plan and tax-increment financing plan.
The Royals are in their 66th year at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium, which underwent significant renovations last decade.
It's also unclear whether the Royals will pay property taxes or rent on the stadium. The structure of recent stadium deals typically favors franchises capturing all associated revenue with the stadium – such as lucrative naming rights – while enjoying significant tax breaks from associated municipalities.
The 2026 MLB season marks the 66th year the Kansas City Royals have played at what's now known as Kauffman Stadium.
The 2026 MLB season marks the 66th year the Kansas City Royals have played at what's now known as Kauffman Stadium.
The April 16 passage of the $600 million city-backed bond only ensures that city manager Mario Vasquez negotiate a terms sheet, lease and development agreement with the Royals that's subject to council approval.
