Kansas City's baseball team honors 52 years of history with their next-door neighbors.
The Kansas City Royals made sure to show love to their longtime neighbors on Monday after the Chiefs announced their move to Kansas, posting a heartfelt message on social media that looked back at the bond between the two franchises while also looking ahead to the future.
"PROUD TO BE YOUR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR FOR 52 YEARS. PROUD TO BE PART OF THE KINGDOM INTO THE FUTURE."
The message came shortly after the Chiefs made it official that they would be leaving Arrowhead Stadium for a new home in Wyandotte County, Kansas, ending a decades-long run at the Truman Sports Complex where both teams have played side-by-side since 1973.
Royals owner John Sherman also put out a statement congratulating Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on the move, noting that even though a few more miles may separate the two teams down the road, he hopes they can continue working together to build a championship legacy for the Kansas City region.
A Shared History at the Truman Sports Complex
Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium have sat right next to each other for over half a century, and the closeness between the two venues has made game days in Kansas City feel like something special.
Fans could look out from the parking lots and see both stadiums standing together as symbols of the city's sports culture, and that connection between the Royals and Chiefs runs deep even though they play different sports.
The two teams also share some history beyond just their location. Former Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and former Royals owner Ewing Kauffman worked together to bring major professional sports to Kansas City back in the late 1960s.
That partnership helped shape the Truman Sports Complex into what it became, and the bond between the franchises has continued through ownership changes and new eras.
Where Things Stand for the Royals
While the Chiefs have now locked in their future, the Royals are still figuring out their own stadium situation.
The team has made it clear they will not be playing at Kauffman Stadium once their lease runs out in 2031, and they have been looking at options including a downtown Kansas City ballpark and possible sites in Kansas.
On the field, the Royals finished the 2025 season with an 82-80 record under manager Matt Quatraro, placing third in the AL Central.
The team was led by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who hit .295 with 184 hits, 47 doubles, and 38 stolen bases while winning his second straight Gold Glove Award and the American League Platinum Glove Award.
Catcher Salvador Perez had another solid power season with 30 home runs and 100 RBI, and he also hit a pair of milestone markers by reaching his 300th career home run and 1,000th career RBI during the season.
The Royals remain focused on their own path forward, but for now, they wanted to tip their cap to the team that has stood beside them for over five decades.