Arrowhead Stadium

Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs and Major League Soccer's Kansas City Wizards. It is part of the city's Truman Sports Complex (together with Kauffman Stadium). Arrowhead is the loudest outdoor stadium in the NFL: the fans often reach sound levels of over 120 decibels, which is as loud as a jet airliner taking off. Because of this, Sports Illustrated gave the Chiefs' home field, Arrowhead Stadium, the title of being the "Toughest Place to Play" for opposing teams.^*

History

A $102 million voter-approved sports complex bond issue in 1967 originally stated a plan calling for a single, multi-purpose, domed stadium (it would have been the world's first rolling stadium roof), but this was later discarded (due to conflicting design elements, seating capacity concerns, prohibitive costs, and project delays). Officials then decided to construct two stadiums, one for baseball (originally for the Kansas City Athletics, later for the Kansas City Royals) and another for football. The two-stadium complex concept was the first of its kind. The Chiefs staff, led by Jack Steadman, helped develop the complex. Construction began in 1968.

Arrowhead was completed for the 1972 season. On August 12, 1972, Arrowhead Stadium became the home of the Chiefs after Municipal Stadium was abandoned in 1971. The Chiefs first game at Arrowhead Stadium was against the Cardinals (Chiefs 24, St. Louis Cardinals 14).

In 1984, the Jackson County Sports Authority re-evaluated the concept of a dome (a fabric one). The concept was disregarded as being unnecessary and financially impractical. In 1991, a JumboTron screen was installed. In 1994 other improvements were made and a grass playing surface was installed, replacing the original artificial turf.

With the formation of the Major League Soccer in 1996, Arrowhead became home to the Kansas City Wizards.

The Future of Arrowhead

On April 4, 2006, the voters in Jackson County approved the plans for renovations on both Arrowhead Stadium and the adjacent Kauffman Stadium.

Question 1 sought a three-eighths-cent sales tax to raise an estimated $850 million during 25 years to finance $425 million in construction costs, with the remainder spent on interest and future major stadium repairs. ^*

Voters approved of the first question on the ballot (a 3/8 cent sales tax to help renovate Kauffman & Arrowhead Stadiums) by 53%. ^*

Campaign organizers estimate that the reconstruction for the stadiums will begin sometime in 2007, and the stadiums will be done by the year 2010.

Improvements for Arrowhead Stadium, 2007

Field Level
- Renovate Team Facilities and other locker room and support areas
- New and expanded utility services
Field Level Concourse
- Significant increase in fan amenities; restrooms, concessions, retail, first aid and fan accommodation stations
- Approximately double the width of the concourse areas
- Replacement of deteriorated concrete
- New Commissary and storage areas
Plaza Level Concourse
- New landscape and hardscape surrounding the stadium
- New gates and expanded entry areas
- New ticket offices
- New mechanical and electrical service areas
- New enlarged team merchandise store
- Kansas City Football Museum
- Restaurant open year-round
- Renovated administrative offices
- New Club entrances and meeting areas
Club Level
- New enclosed climate controlled spaces
- Replace mid deck seats
- Double fan amenities
- Renovated national broadcast and coaches’ booths
- Renovated and expanded Suites
Upper Level Concourses
- Significant increase in fan amenities; restrooms, concessions, retail, first aid, and fan accommodation stations
- Approximately double the width of the concourse areas
- Large open party decks
New Press and Suite Level Addition
- South sideline structure housing primarily new Broadcast and Press Facilities
- New Suites along north sideline structure
Seating Bowl
- New, Enlarged Video Boards with state of the art technology
- Upgraded sound system
Miscellaneous
- Provide better access for fans to all levels with more elevators
- Vibrant and colorful environmental graphics throughout
- Overall improvements transform the stadium image
- New fire alarm, communications, lighting and electrical systems and upgraded fire protection system throughout.
- Expand Administrative Offices and Training Center

Other facts

As of the end of the 2005 season, Arrowhead has a consecutive sell-out record of 133 games (dating back to the home opener in 1990).
In 1974 Arrowhead Stadium hosted the National Football League Pro Bowl.
The largest crowd to see a game in Arrowhead Stadium is 82,094 (vs. Oakland Raiders; November 4, 1972).
Arrowhead has hosted three Big 12 Conference championship matches: Kansas State v. Oklahoma in 2000 and 2003, and Colorado v. Oklahoma in 2004.

Quotes

"is the most revolutionary, futuristic, sports complex I have ever seen." - George Halas

"It took courage to sell the citizens of Kansas City on the twin park plan. But they bought it because they want the best." - Hal Lebovitz

"When they built this stadium it was made for the fans." - ^*

External links