A new report from a development consulting firm says the new stadium will make more money.
In the new stadium’s first year, the report projects there would be 2,101,633 people attending Royals games with an average attendance per game of 25,946 fans. That would be up from an average attendance of 21,590 at the current Kauffman Stadium, according to the report.
The report also anticipates events at the new stadium beyond Royals games, such as concerts, high school sports and perhaps a major event like
the MLB All-Star game, further boosting annual attendance.
Over $460 million in tax revenue generated on site at the stadium would be redirected over 30 years, the report projects.
Beyond that, to fully cover its obligations, the city would sketch out a “stadium impact area,” where new economic activity tax revenue — such as food and beverage tax, hotel tax, public safety sales tax and parks sales tax — would also be redirected as consumer spending rises alongside the stadium development.
That would add hundreds of millions of dollars in available revenue. In year one, the report expects about 1 million new visits to businesses, both for dining and shopping, within the impact area from stadium attendees.
John Sherman thinks they’ll get an All-Star Game real quick after the new stadium opens.
The Royals say a new ballpark will be open in time for the 2030 season. If previous All-Star Games in Kansas City are an indication, the wait for the midsummer classic would be no longer than three years.
There is no formal rotation for All-Star sites, but selection priority has gone to teams and cities that have made major investments.
The last All-Star Game held in Kansas City was 2012, some three years after the last major Kauffman Stadium renovation, a $250 million project.
The Royals will start demolishing the Hallmark location in the next few months. Some dirt will move, John Sherman says.
“I don’t know if that is the groundbreaking,” Sherman said. “Some dirt will move. I don’t know what will be considered the kind of ceremonial groundbreaking, but certainly in 2027.”
The Royals are set to build a new stadium and multi-use entertainment district in the downtown KC area. Sherman was down in Atlanta last week gathering ideas from The Battery next to Truist Park — the home of the Atlanta Braves.
And on Monday, Sherman touted that the new Royals stadium would be able to attract visitors from different locales around the city.
“You know, it’s a rare combination of the city and the state to come together to finance a visionary project,” Sherman said. “There are no new taxes. It is financed out of growth and this project is transformational for fans, players and community. Every dollar of public investment is matched by $3 of private investment. We’re also bringing together — in this project with Hallmark and the Royals — two iconic Kansas City brands to do something special for the city that we love.”
Joy.
In his end of season press conference, John Sherman talked a few stadium details as well as the bullpen.
Addressing the team itself, Sherman echoed Wednesday’s sentiments from general manager and president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo, saying the club’s bullpen is a top priority going into the offseason, along with “stabilizing” the starting rotation. The Royals took significant blows to their pitching staff throughout the season with injuries, ending 2026 with seven pitchers on the 60-day injured list.
While Sherman said he believes the Royals do have a strong core, he and Picollo are exploring making splashes this offseason to add to the roster.
“I think we’ll tend to be more opportunistic on that this year,” Sherman said. “[We’re] not going to spend money just to spend it, but if it’s something that we think will make our team better — particularly in a critical area that we need to improve on — I want to work with those guys.”
Yikes.
Double Yikes
Brian Burrows at Kings of Kauffman doesn’t want the team to give up on Lucas Erceg.
The Rays won Game 2 of their ALDS against the Yankees, defeating Cam Schlittler. They have a 2-0 lead heading to New York.
The White Sox also won Game 2 of their ALDS against the Guardians. They also take a 2-0 lead as they return to Chicago.
What’s Atlanta doing with Chris Sale?
Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor both had surgeries.
Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton, who dislocated his ankle during the Chiefs’ 30-27 win over the Raiders, is expected to be out 12-16 weeks.
As a result…a reunion between the Chiefs and Tyreek Hill seems highly likely.
The NFL suspended two referees due to conduct toward players.
Nick Sirianni sucks. I concur.
If Manchester City’s penalties for financial misconduct stand, that could have outsized effects on the transfer market. Naturally, after we got a City Erling Haaland jersey for my son.
Russia has the plague, I guess. Man, not now plague.
Metallica’s show at the Sphere in Las Vegas apparently kicked ass.
It’s spooky season, so my wife and I watched the 1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street last night. I had never seen it start-to-finish. That movie was goofy as hell to me. I realize it was … 42 years ago. Yeesh. But still. Freddy is campy. My alligator craving for horror movies is small. I do not need a lot for it to be satisfied.
Your song of the day is Tool with Vicarious.
