“Heartbreaking”: Travis Kelce Reacts to Chiefs’ Stadium Move

Travis Kelce has spent his entire NFL career playing in front of packed crowds at Arrowhead Stadium, so for him it's a bittersweet feeling to see the Chiefs leave and move to Kansas within a few years.

“Heartbreaking”: Travis Kelce Reacts to Chiefs’ Stadium Move

Arrowhead Stadium and Travis Kelce inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Travis Kelce expressed bittersweet feelings about the Chiefs' planned move from Arrowhead Stadium to Kansas.
  • The Chiefs are set to complete the stadium move by 2031, citing better opportunities in Kansas.
  • Kelce, who has spent his entire career at Arrowhead, is considering returning for a 14th NFL season despite retirement discussions.

As his NFL career winds down, Travis Kelce learned that the Chiefs are planning to move on from Arrowhead Stadium. According to the Hunt family, owners of the Chiefs organization, they plan to move to nearby Kansas, not to be confused with Kansas City, which is actually in the state of Missouri.

On the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Travis told his brother Jason about his bittersweet feelings over the Chiefs making a different stadium their home instead of Arrowhead.

I think it’s going to be unbelievable once it’s finally set it stone, but it is going to be kind of heartbreaking knowing that the Chiefs are going to move away from Arrowhead and that side of the Missouri side in Kansas City. It’s just a part of the old professional sports. It is a business at the end of the day.

Travis Kelce stated

Kelce, drafted in 2013, spent his entire career calling Arrowhead his home away from home. The All-Pro tight end, a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ dynasty, earned three Super Bowl rings, proudly showcased by the banners hanging from the stadium railings.

The stadium has been operational since opening its doors to the public in 1972. It also holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at a stadium, a testament to the passion the fan base shares for its team.

Toward the end of last year, Clark Hunt announced that the Chiefs would be moving to a brand new domed stadium in Kansas.

We had a great dialogue with Missouri all the way through the end of last week… Not everything was resolved that needed to be resolved. The big difference is we were working with one party here, the State of Kansas, and in Missouri, we were working with the governor’s office, the county, and also the city. We just didn’t get there for the timeline.

Clark Hunt told KMBC

The Chiefs are scheduled to complete the move by 2031.

The Chiefs received positive Travis Kelce news after Super Bowl LX

Kelce had a decent season even though the Chiefs went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since Patrick Mahomes became QB1. He wrapped up the season as the Chiefs’ leading receiver with 76 catches for 851 yards and 5 touchdowns, topping his 2024 performance when they reached the Super Bowl but fell to the Eagles.

Heartbreaking Travis Kelce Reacts to Chiefs’ Stadium Move
Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

Most tight ends retire around age 36, but Kelce worked hard to stay in shape last year, and it looks like he’s gearing up to do the same in 2026. A report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic speculated that Kelce could return to the Chiefs roster for a 14th season.

Kelce has been giving hints for a while. His first clue dropped right after the Chiefs re-hired Eric Bieniemy as the offensive coordinator last month.

I love that (expletive). I think it’s great (hire for the Chiefs). I think it’s a marriage (that’s) gonna pick up right where it left off… I can’t wait to see him back in the building. Man, he’s one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time.

Travis Kelce said on his podcast

More recently, Travis was on his sister-in-law Kylie Kelce‘s podcast, where he discussed last season and retirement rumors.

It’s been nuts, man. It’s been nuts. Obviously, when you’re in it, it all happens so fast. So being able to take a step back this year is just kinda like— I don’t know. I’m still proud of the work that we’ve done, and who knows if we can keep that thing going.

Travis Kelce said

To which Kylie replied, “I think it’s a nice break to run in back next year.”

ML Football tweeted that Kelce might sign a veteran minimum contract, a one-year deal worth $8 million. That said, the Chiefs have stayed silent on the matter, and fans just have to wait for the deal to take place.

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