KC Royals Choose to Relocate at Crown Center

In a landmark announcement today, the Kansas City Royals and Hallmark Cards revealed plans for a transformative development at Crown Center, poised to reshape the city’s landscape and economy. The partnership aims to deliver a world-class ballpark, extensive mixed-use facilities, and revamped headquarters for both organizations, promising unprecedented benefits for Kansas City and the region.

The ambitious project encompasses an 85-acre site centered around a park-like square with fountains, setting a new global standard for professional sports developments. The estimated $2 billion in private investment marks the largest in the city’s history, and the initiative is expected to generate more than 20,000 construction jobs.

Royals CEO and Chairman John Sherman expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing the legacy of founder Ewing Kauffman and the shared vision with Hallmark. “This project honors our founder’s wish for the Royals to remain a fixture in Kansas City and to maximize the team’s impact on his hometown,” Sherman said.

Hallmark Cards Executive Chairman Don Hall Jr. reflected on the project’s significance, noting the symbolic return of the Royals’ iconic crown to its neighborhood roots. “With the new stadium at Crown Center, Hallmark’s creative legacy comes full circle,” Hall said. “Fans entering the stadium will be immersed in the spirit that shaped both Kansas City and Hallmark.”

The longstanding relationship between Sherman and Hall, built over decades of civic and philanthropic collaboration, laid the foundation for this historic venture. The project will be financed primarily through private sources, with additional support from the City of Kansas City and Missouri’s Show-Me Sports Investment Act.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe emphasized the project’s statewide impact, stating, “Today’s announcement reinforces that the State of Missouri is not just where the Kansas City Royals play but where they belong,” Kehoe stated. “This decision by the Royals to invest in our state is more than just a commitment to Kansas City, it is a commitment to communities and fans across Missouri.”

The planned $1.9 billion Kansas City Royals downtown stadium and its associated development will utilize a public-private partnership for funding. About two-thirds of the total investment will come from private sources, including the Royals and partners such as Hallmark Cards. The remaining portion, approximately $600 million, will be contributed by public entities, with support from the City of Kansas City and the possibility of state assistance through Missouri’s Show-Me Sports Investment Act.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.