The Kansas Jayhawks are riding high after a fantastic 9-4 season in 2023, capped off by a Guaranteed Rate Bowl victory – their first bowl win since 2008. This resurgence, marking only the seventh time in program history the Jayhawks have achieved nine wins, has fans eager for the 2024 season. However, there’s a temporary change of scenery on the horizon for home games, leading many fans to ask: Where Is Arrowhead Stadium in relation to the Kansas Jayhawks?
While David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium undergoes significant renovations to create a world-class facility for the future, the Jayhawks will be taking their home games to new venues in 2024. Among these exciting locations, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the iconic home of the Kansas City Chiefs, will serve as a key host for Kansas Jayhawks football.
[It’s important to clarify that the provided article doesn’t contain any images. If it did, I would insert them here with alt text as instructed. For example, if there was an image of Arrowhead Stadium, I would insert it here like “ ]
This move to Arrowhead Stadium is generating considerable buzz and excitement. Kansas Head Football Coach Lance Leipold himself acknowledged the enthusiasm, stating, “This is an exciting move for our team as these are two well respected and exciting venues to watch a sporting event. I’m confident our fans will be able to create a ‘home field’ that our players will be energized to play in.” He further emphasized the strategic advantage, noting, “Our administration has done an excellent job of partnering with both organizations and venues during our construction phase. This will allow the project to continue its path to completion in a timely manner and provide the best competitive advantage for our team during the transition.”
Why Arrowhead Stadium?
The decision to utilize Arrowhead Stadium wasn’t taken lightly. Turner Construction Operations Manager Joshua Jones explained the rationale behind shifting home games away from Lawrence for the 2024 season. “Our collective Gateway District project team has been diligent in exploring all options for delivering a world class facility for the University of Kansas and KU Athletics,” Jones stated. He highlighted the challenges of hosting games during construction at David Booth Memorial Stadium, emphasizing that “hosting all home KU Football Games in 2024 at alternate locations creates a safer and more efficient environment to complete this project.” This proactive approach ensures the timely and safe completion of the stadium renovations, setting the stage for an even better fan experience in 2025.
Mark Donovan, President of the Kansas City Chiefs, also expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, “We are excited to host Jayhawks football games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium while David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is undergoing renovations.” He highlighted Arrowhead Stadium’s role as a community asset, emphasizing the stadium’s capacity to host diverse events beyond NFL games, including “another huge summer of concerts and the FIFA 2026 World Cup.” Donovan assured Jayhawks fans that the Arrowhead Events team is working closely with the University of Kansas Athletic Department “to ensure that players, coaches, staff and fans feel at-home.”
Beyond Arrowhead: Children’s Mercy Park
While Arrowhead Stadium is a prominent venue, it’s not the only alternative for Jayhawks home games in 2024. Children’s Mercy Park, home to Sporting Kansas City, will also host Kansas Football. Sporting KC President and CEO Jake Reid underscored the strong relationship between the two organizations, noting, “Sporting Kansas City and the University of Kansas are longtime supporters of one another. We’ve worked closely on numerous initiatives in recent years.” He welcomed the Jayhawks program and its fans, saying, “We look forward to hosting Coach Leipold and the nationally-ranked Kansas Football program at Children’s Mercy Park and welcoming KU students and fans to cheer on the Jayhawks.”
Fan and Community Perspectives
The temporary relocation has been met with understanding and support from key stakeholders. Kansas Running Back Devin Neal, a key player returning for the 2024 season, shared his excitement, “I know the whole team is excited about having the opportunity to play in Kansas City this season. Obviously, we all love playing in Lawrence at The Booth, but this will be a great experience for our team and it’s what’s best for the future of the program and stadium.” Neal also expressed confidence in fan support at the new venues, stating, “I know our fans will show up in a big way at Children’s Mercy Park and Arrowhead Stadium to provide a homefield advantage, the same way they have in Lawrence the past couple of seasons.”
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bonnie Lowe acknowledged the initial concerns from the business community in Lawrence but framed the situation positively. “We have listened and heard the concerns from our business community, and while we all would rather be cheering on the Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium, we understand that growth of this magnitude comes with challenges,” Lowe stated. She emphasized the opportunity for local businesses to innovate and find new ways to celebrate KU Football, looking forward to the long-term benefits of the stadium renovations and related developments in Lawrence.
Kansas Student Body President Turner Seals also voiced student support, stating, “Although we’d obviously prefer to host our home games in Lawrence, we appreciate Athletics working to provide a great alternative venue for our team and school for the upcoming season with games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and Children’s Mercy Park.” He assured students that Student Senate is working with Athletics to ensure accessible transportation and a great game day experience at the alternative venues.
Looking Ahead
While the 2024 season will see the Kansas Jayhawks playing their home games away from their traditional Lawrence stadium, the move to venues like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City offers a unique and exciting opportunity. Fans now know where is Arrowhead Stadium in the context of Jayhawks football – it’s a temporary, but fantastic, home for the 2024 season. This temporary shift paves the way for a brighter future for Kansas Football with a renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium awaiting their return in 2025. Get ready to support the Jayhawks in these new and exciting locations!
