The Kansas City Chiefs could be set to move to a new stadium, with the states of Missouri and Kansas battling to keep the NFL franchise in their borders

The first glimpse of what could be the new home for the Kansas City Chiefs has emerged, sparking speculation after the team’s chairman hinted at a possible move.

The Chiefs, who have been playing at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium since 1972, might find themselves in the middle of a tug-of-war between Missouri and Kansas. Arrowhead Stadium has been the Chiefs’ fortress for decades, having moved there from Municipal Stadium after their relocation from Dallas in 1962.

Despite a major renovation in 2010 and plans for further improvements, the future of the Chiefs at the 76,000-seater venue is not set in stone. Kansas has thrown its hat into the ring, ready to entice the NFL giants across state lines with tantalising stadium proposals already making waves.

Clark Hunt, the Chiefs chairman, has acknowledged that shifting away from Kansas City could “make sense” in the near future. Financial factors are also at play, with Jackson County voters turning down a sales tax initiative, leaving the Chiefs facing a hefty $300 million bill for stadium renovations.

Arrowhead’s status as the heartland of Chiefs Kingdom for half a century makes the thought of departure bitter for fans, yet the prospect of a state-of-the-art stadium in Kansas presents an alluring vision that could elevate the team’s facilities to among the finest in the league and beyond.

Arrowhead is currently an open bowl, a classic design that is slowly fading out in football with multiple teams moving to new stadiums. The new designs also show a large glass roof over the stadium, allowing all noise to be trapped inside the venue and allowing Chiefs fans to make it even more difficult for rival teams.

The designs were created by sports architect David Manica, who is working for an unnamed developer and assisting in their efforts to bring the Chiefs to Kansas. In a statement to Fox, Manica said: “This location offers incredible access to everybody.Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news”And the total available parking area will provide an unbelievable tailgating experience that is supplemented by a fantastic mixed-use development.”

BREAKING: As the #KSleg considers revised STAR Bonds for stadiums, @fox4kc has obtained the vision of what a new #Chiefs stadium in KCK might look like. Designed for unnamed developer working to lure the team as envisioned by @manica_arch.
Details tonight at 9pm! pic.twitter.com/etEXm8Fw1z

— John Holt (@JohnHoltNews) May 1, 2024

The architect, who is a lifelong Chiefs fan, said the stadium plans are “Inspired by the form and spirit of our historic Arrowhead Stadium, but it offers a wider variety of experiences for its fans.” Manica has experience in this field, and his company designed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, and where the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII back in February.

He’s also responsible for the new Tennessee Titans stadium that’s currently under construction, but now he’s looking to do the same for his own team. Missouri is on tenterhooks as it waits to see if a bill will be passed in neighbouring Kansas, which could change the rules for STAR (sales tax and revenue).

The proposed legislation focuses on sports teams in the region building stadiums with 30,000 seats or more, putting the Chiefs under pressure. The Chiefs have yet to officially comment on the situation, but an official decision on the bill is expected by Wednesday. However, their chairman, Hunt, did concede: “Arrowhead is a special place for our family and our fan base. That was one of the reasons that we focused on it with the last effort, but going forward it may make more sense for us to be in a new stadium.”