Unified Government Approves $155M STAR Bond for New American Royal Campus

Posted April 29, 2025

The American Royal will continue its transition into Kansas, following the approval of a $155 million STAR bond for the project by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City commissioners.

On Thursday, commissioners approved three motions regarding The American Royal’s $375 million project to transition into Wyandotte. The American Royal’s new home will be located at 118th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas, just Northwest of the Kansas Speedway.

The American Royal broke ground on its new campus in March 2023, however, project funds dried up, leading the food and agriculture organization to cease construction by February.

The revised agreement now increases the project’s sales tax and revenue (STAR) bond to $155 million, nearly doubling The American Royal’s first request. The organization originally requested $80 million for a $165 million project. The bonds will be used for various project costs, including land, sitework, infrastructure, and construction.

The current project for the Wyandotte County campus will include a 125,000 square-foot show arena with 5,000 seats, a 90,000 square-foot multipurpose arena, a 75,000 square-foot outdoor arena, a 390,000 square-foot livestock exhibition hall, an 80,000 square-foot agricultural education center and 20,000 square feet of admin space.

Rendering of The American Royal’s new campus auditorium. Photo Credit: American Royal

The American Royal also has the option to construct a festival grounds area during its second phase of construction. If it chooses to include the festival grounds, the estimated project cost would increase to approximately $450 million.

The American Royal is expected to repay the Unified Government $25 million over 20 years, $1.8 million annually. The existing Plaza at the Speedway TIF district will be terminated, and the sales tax will then be utilized to repay the approved bonds, according to Unified Government documents.

During Thursday’s meeting, Unified Government commissioners also approved a public hearing for the creation of a community improvement district (CID) dubbed the American Royal Community Improvement District, which is intended to levy sales tax within the district. The meeting is scheduled for May 29.

Upon approval of the proposed CID, a 1% sales tax rate will be added to the total sales tax rate for the district to commence on July 1, 2026.