Latest news with #stadiumrenovation
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Chiefs donate to Missouri Republicans
Don't count out the Show Me State just yet. With Kansas eagerly trying to lure the NFL's Chiefs and MLB's Royals across state lines, the reigning AFC champions have made $25,000 in donations to republican candidates for the Missouri House amid the team's ongoing efforts to secure renovation funding for Arrowhead Stadium. The donation, first reported by the Missouri Independent , comes shortly after a $1.5 billion stadium funding plan was approved by the state legislature in hopes of convincing the Chiefs and MLB's Royals to remain in Missouri. The Missouri Independent reports the Chiefs spent more than $3 million and the Royals added another $2.5 million last year to support a ballot measure extending sales taxes to fund renovations at Arrowhead Stadium as well as a new ballpark in downtown Kansas City. The donations come at a convenient time for team officials and representatives hoping to avoid the negative publicity that typically comes with publicly funded stadium constructions and renovations. Not only are the Chiefs gearing up for another Super Bowl run - potentially the final chance for 35-year-old Travis Kelce - but the tight end also welcomed girlfriend and Donald Trump nemesis Taylor Swift onto his popular podcast this week , thereby drawing the spotlight away from Arrowhead Stadium's future . Meanwhile, with fans focused on the Chiefs' immediate future, team officials have pressed ahead with varying options for a future home. After decades of playing alongside each other at the Truman Sports Complex, the Chiefs and Royals will each see their respective leases expire in January of 2031. While the Chiefs have supported republican candidates in this effort, the Missouri Independent reports that two GOP state legislators filed lawsuits in July to defeat the measure, which they called 'unconstitutional' because it also addressed matters unrelated to stadiums. Despite Missouri's efforts, neighboring Kansas remains a potential destination for both the Chiefs and Royals. Last month, a committee in the Kansas legislature extended a deadline for both teams to accept state financing for new stadiums. And the teams are hearing competitive offers from both Kansas and Missouri. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe initially approved legislation to authorize bonds to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of stadium construction (Royals) and renovation (Chiefs). Kansas responded by offering bonds that could cover 70 percent of those costs should either team choose to switch states, but Missouri has since followed with an additional funding package. 'We've had more meetings, more discussions,' Chiefs president Mark Donovan said in July. 'At this point it's literally - you're taking an agreement this long and whittling it down to this paragraph and this line, and we need an agreement on this, and we're doing this on both sides. You're in that process where you're not sure which way it will go.' Previously, in April of 2024, Jackson County rejected a sales tax proposal that would have helped to renovate Arrowhead Stadium while providing the Royals with a ballpark in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Now the teams are fighting separate battles to secure their future homes.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Chiefs donate to Missouri Republicans after $1.5b stadium proposal as Kansas pushes NFL team to flee state
Don't count out the Show Me State just yet. With Kansas eagerly trying to lure the NFL's Chiefs and MLB's Royals across state lines, the reigning AFC champions have made $25,000 in donations to republican candidates for the Missouri House amid the team's ongoing efforts to secure renovation funding for Arrowhead Stadium. The donation, first reported by the Missouri Independent, comes shortly after a $1.5 billion stadium funding plan was approved by the state legislature in hopes of convincing the Chiefs and MLB's Royals to remain in Missouri. The Missouri Independent reports the Chiefs spent more than $3 million and the Royals added another $2.5 million last year to support a ballot measure extending sales taxes to fund renovations at Arrowhead Stadium as well as a new ballpark in downtown Kansas City. The donations come at a convenient time for team officials and representatives hoping to avoid the negative publicity that typically comes with publicly funded stadium constructions and renovations. Not only are the Chiefs gearing up for another Super Bowl run - potentially the final chance for 35-year-old Travis Kelce - but the tight end also welcomed girlfriend and Donald Trump nemesis Taylor Swift onto his popular podcast this week, thereby drawing the spotlight away from Arrowhead Stadium's future. Meanwhile, with fans focused on the Chiefs' immediate future, team officials have pressed ahead with varying options for a future home. After decades of playing alongside each other at the Truman Sports Complex, the Chiefs and Royals will each see their respective leases expire in January of 2031. While the Chiefs have supported republican candidates in this effort, the Missouri Independent reports that two GOP state legislators filed lawsuits in July to defeat the measure, which they called 'unconstitutional' because it also addressed matters unrelated to stadiums. Despite Missouri's efforts, neighboring Kansas remains a potential destination for both the Chiefs and Royals. Last month, a committee in the Kansas legislature extended a deadline for both teams to accept state financing for new stadiums. And the teams are hearing competitive offers from both Kansas and Missouri. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe initially approved legislation to authorize bonds to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of stadium construction (Royals) and renovation (Chiefs). Kansas responded by offering bonds that could cover 70 percent of those costs should either team choose to switch states, but Missouri has since followed with an additional funding package. 'We've had more meetings, more discussions,' Chiefs president Mark Donovan said in July. 'At this point it's literally - you're taking an agreement this long and whittling it down to this paragraph and this line, and we need an agreement on this, and we're doing this on both sides. You're in that process where you're not sure which way it will go.' Previously, in April of 2024, Jackson County rejected a sales tax proposal that would have helped to renovate Arrowhead Stadium while providing the Royals with a ballpark in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Camp Nou update: Pitch installation complete as Barcelona target September return
Barcelona fans can finally begin to visualise their return to the iconic Spotify Camp Nou, as progress on the stadium's renovation continues steadily. According to SPORT, the latest major development is the installation of the final turf, which is a crucial step that brings the revamped venue one step closer to completion. It is to be noted that while the Joan Gamper Trophy had initially been scheduled to mark the grand reopening of the stadium, a delay in municipal permits meant Barcelona had to shelve that plan. However, the momentum has not slowed. On Monday, the club conducted a key technical and operational test at the new Camp Nou to ensure all the stadium's main systems, including those used on match days, are functioning as expected. These trial runs form an essential part of the stadium's final set-up process. Work does not stop Now, the outlet mentions that, that same evening, trucks carrying 26 large rolls of turf were seen emptying their contents onto the pitch. As such, this carpet has now been fully laid and the next phase will involve marking the pitch lines and getting everything match-ready. If all goes according to plan, the new turf will make its official debut after the first international break of the 2025/26 season. That would be on the weekend of September 13 or 14, when Barcelona are scheduled to host Valencia in La Liga. The club had previously requested La Liga to play their first three games away from home to allow sufficient time for the stadium's readiness. The countdown has officially begun. Camp Nou may not be fully finished yet, but the heart of the new stadium, its playing surface, is already in place. Soon, Barcelona will return to their spiritual home, with a modernised temple ready to host the next chapter of history.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Former Champions League winners announce first ever renovation of 50,033-seater stadium as roof is completely replaced
EUROPEAN giants Porto have announced plans for changes to their iconic Estádio do Dragão. The stadium first opened in 2003 at a cost of £107million (€125m) and remains an architectural landmark among global sports venues. 2 2 However, Porto have announced that for the first time ever the stadium will be having some major TLC. A club statement explained the stadium infrastructure had suffered from natural wear and tear, while the advancement of technology in the 22 years since its opening also played a part in the decision. The main areas of improvement would focus on the infrastructure, technology and services of the venue. It said: "One of the most beautiful stadiums in the world of football must have spaces and equipment at the level required, the blue and white members and fans will be able to enjoy more and better experiences from next season. "Following the commercial partnership established with Ithaka - which involves revenue and operating costs associated with ticketing, corporate hospitality, naming rights and other sponsorship contracts associated with the stadium, the Museum, visits and the organisation of non-sporting events, as well as other opportunities for generating revenue, present or future, related to Dragão - FC Porto has defined three axes of intervention: infrastructure, technology and services." The plan is to carry out the works during pre-season of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 campaigns in order to minimise the impact on the sporting season. Long term, this update will make the ground ready to host the World Cup when the famous tournament visits Portugal in 2030. Works have already been ongoing for a few weeks, with club boxes being modernised along with the fan common areas like the toilets and bars. Next summer will see the club tackle the creation of new hospitality areas in an effort to "completely transform the hospitality and VIP services" on offer at the 50,033-capacity stadium. A new central kitchen, autonomous bars, a new lighting system and a complete renovation of the roof are on the agenda for infrastructure works. Liverpool owners plot takeover of LaLiga club after they part-destroy iconic stadium ahead of stunning rebuild The coming changes will also see the stadium modernised with all ticketing transactions to be done without having to go to a physical store, while FC Porto will also be launching its own platform alongside this. All tickets, ranging from season ticket renewals and sales back to the club, will also be able to be carried out digitally. This will be implemented as early as next month. Porto are the second most successful club in Portuguese football with 30 league titles, only behind Benfica 's tally of 38. Their last title arrived in 2022, before Gonçalo Ramos inspired Benfica to the 2023 title and Ruben Amorim built his Sporting Lisbon squad into a title-winning force over the last two seasons. Porto are also two-time Champions of Europe, having won the Champions League in 1987 and 2004 - the latter of which sparked the career of a certain Jose Mourinho into life. They missed out on Champions League football last season, and only made it to the Europa League league knockout phase as they ended the season without major silverware for the first time since 2021. However, they did still win the Portuguese Supertaça, or Super Cup, after coming from 3-0 down to beat Sporting Lisbon.
Reuters
15-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Missouri governor signs off on financial aid for Chiefs, Royals stadiums
June 15 - Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed off on legislation that could provide millions of dollars for stadium upgrades for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Under the bill approved in a special session Wednesday by Missouri lawmakers, the state agreed to authorize bonds to pay for up to half of the cost to build or renovate a stadium, as well as offer tax credits. Local governments also would provide unspecifed assistance. The two teams play at the Truman Sports Complex, with their stadiums side by side. Arrowhead Stadium opened in 1972 as the home of the Chiefs, with the Royals moving into what now is called Kauffman Stadium the following season. Though still esthetically pleasing, the two stadiums are among the oldest in their sports. In the NFL, only the Chicago Bears (Soldier Field, built in 1924) and Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field, 1957) play in older venues. In Major League Baseball, only the Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park, 1912), Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field, 1914), Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodger Stadium, 1962) and Los Angeles Angels (Angel Stadium, 1966) have stadiums with a longer life span. The signed bill in Missouri applies to any assistance for any NFL or MLB team that wants to undergo a stadium renovation or build of at least $500 million. That means the St. Louis Cardinals also could get financial aid should they want to improve Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006 amid a wave of new stadiums. The Chiefs and Royals have a looming deadline, however. In an effort to lure the teams to Kansas, that state last year authorized the issuance of bonds for as much as 70 percent of the cost of new stadiums. That offer is scheduled to expire June 30. Kansas City, Mo., tucked in the northwest corner of the state, sits right on the border with Kansas. Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo. are separated by just four miles, for example. Neither team has discounted a move to Kansas. The Chiefs previously unveiled renderings for a proposed multimillion dollar renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. The Royals have said they want to move from Kauffman Stadium, preferably to a new ballpark downtown. In April 2024, voters in Jackson County, Mo., rejected a sales tax measure that would have helped to pay for Arrowhead renovations and a stadium for the Royals. The teams' leases for their existing stadiums expire in January 2031. --Field Level Media
