Overview
- The Royals announced Wednesday a partnership with Hallmark Cards to build a downtown ballpark at Crown Center as part of an 85-acre mixed-use district.
- The project includes a $1.9 billion stadium within a broader $3 billion redevelopment, with at least $2 billion in private investment and expected public help from Kansas City and Missouri’s Show-Me Sports Investment Act.
- Kansas City recently authorized talks for up to $600 million in city support, and final term sheets, leases, and development agreements still require council approvals.
- Team officials outlined a preliminary timeline to break ground in 2027 and aim for Opening Day 2030, noting renderings are conceptual and details remain in flux.
- Hallmark plans a reimagined headquarters within the district, the team touts 20,000 construction jobs, streetcar access, and parking within a 10-minute walk, while some nearby residents worry about traffic and hospital access; the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium lease runs through 2031.