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Arrowhead Stadium
Location1 Arrowhead Drive
Kansas City, Missouri 64129
Coordinates39°2′56″N 94°29′2″W / 39.04889°N 94.48389°W / 39.04889; -94.48389Coordinates: 39°2′56″N 94°29′2″W / 39.04889°N 94.48389°W / 39.04889; -94.48389
OwnerJackson County Sports Complex Authority
OperatorKansas City Chiefs
Capacity76,416 (2010-present)[1]
79,451(1997-2009)[2]
79,101 (1995-1996)[3]
78,097 (1972-1994)[4]
SurfaceAstroTurf (1972-1993)
Grass (1994-present)
Construction
Broke groundJuly 11, 1968[5]
OpenedAugust 12, 1972
Renovated2007-2010
Construction cost$43 million
$375 million (2007-2010 renovation)

($226 million in 2024 dollars[6])
Renovations: ($375 million in 2024 dollars[6])
ArchitectKivett and Myers
General contractorSharp-Kidde-Webb Joint Venture[7]
Tenants
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) (1972–present) Kansas City Wizards (MLS) (1996-2007)

Arrowhead Stadium (commonly or simply Arrowhead) is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

It is part of the city's Truman Sports Complex (together with Kauffman Stadium). The stadium is commonly referred to as the "Home of the CHIEFS" at the beginning of every home game during the singing of the national anthem.[8][9] It is the 27th largest stadium in North America and fourth largest NFL Stadium in seating capacity; behind only Cowboys Stadium, MetLife Stadium, and FedEx Field. It is the largest sports facility, by capacity, in the state of Missouri. A $375 million renovation of the stadium was completed in 2010.

History[]

Pre-construction[]

In January 1967, the Chiefs played in the first Super Bowl. In October of that year, team owner Charlie Finley finally won approval from Major League Baseball to move the Kansas City Athletics to Oakland, California and out of the aging Municipal Stadium and its inner city neighborhood. The City of Kansas City was unable to find a suitable location for a stadium so Jackson County, Missouri stepped in and offered a suburban location on the extreme east edge of Kansas City near the interchange of Interstate 70 and Interstate 435.

Voters in 1967 approved a $102 million bond issue to build a new sports complex with two stadiums. The original design called for construction of side-by-side baseball and football stadiums with a common roof that would roll between them. The design proved to be more complicated and expensive than originally thought and so was scrapped in favor of the current open-air configuration. The two-stadium complex concept was the first of its kind. The Chiefs staff, led by Jack Steadman, helped develop the complex.

Construction[]

061123Broncos-Chiefs01

Arrowhead Stadium boasts one of the NFL's loudest fanbases [10].

Construction began in 1968. The original two-stadium concept was initially designed by Denver architect Charles Deaton and Steadman. Deaton's design was implemented by the Kansas City architectural firm of Kivett & Myers. Arrowhead is considered by some to have had an influence on the design of several future NFL stadiums.

1970s[]

061123Broncos-Chiefs02

Arrowhead Stadium at night, during the Chiefs' Thanksgiving 2006 game against the Broncos.

Construction on Arrowhead Stadium was completed in time for the 1972 season. On August 12, 1972, The Chiefs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 24–14 in the first game at Arrowhead Stadium. Later on in the 1972 season, the largest crowd to see a game in Arrowhead Stadium was 82,094 in a Chiefs game against the Oakland Raiders on November 5.

On January 20, 1974, Arrowhead Stadium hosted the Pro Bowl. Due to an ice storm and brutally cold temperatures the week leading up to the game, the game's participants worked out at the facilities of the San Diego Chargers. On game day, the temperature soared to 41 degrees, melting most of the ice and snow that accumulated during the week. The AFC defeated the NFC by a score of 15–13.

1980s–present[]

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, two Diamond Vision screens shaped as footballs were installed. In 1994 other improvements were made and a grass playing surface was installed, replacing the original AstroTurf artificial turf.

With the formation of Major League Soccer in 1996, Arrowhead became home to the Kansas City Wizards. They left after the 2007 season so that construction work on Arrowhead's renovation could take place during the NFL off-season (see below). The Wizards built their own stadium in 2008 and did not return to Arrowhead.

The 2007 Border Showdown between the BCS-ranked #2 Kansas Jayhawks and #3 Missouri Tigers drew the second largest crowd in stadium history, at 80,537 (with the Tigers winning 36-28).[11]

In 2009, Arrowhead Stadium completed the installation of a multimillion-dollar integrated system from Daktronics out of Brookings, South Dakota. Two high definition video displays were retrofitted into the existing football-shaped displays in both end zones. Approximately 1,625 feet (495 m) of digital ribbon board technology was also installed in the stadium.[12]

On July 25, 2010, Kansas City Wizards played Manchester United as Manchester United's 3rd pre-season friendly in America during 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Due to ticket demand, they could not play the game at the Wizards' 10,000 Capacity stadium. The match ended with Kansas City beating the Manchester Club 2-1 with Dimitar Berbatov scoring the only goal for Manchester United on a penalty kick.

In 2011, Arrowhead Stadium (along with 8 other stadiums) was considered for hosting WrestleMania XXVIII, but lost to Miami. Kansas City mayor Sly James said, "We will not give up on hosting this event."

College football[]

File:Border War Panoramic.jpg

The 2007 Border Showdown between Missouri and Kansas

Arrowhead Stadium has hosted five Big 12 Conference football championship games: Kansas State versus Oklahoma in 2000 and 2003, Colorado versus Oklahoma in 2004, Nebraska versus Oklahoma on December 2, 2006, and Missouri versus Oklahoma in 2008.

Since 2007, Arrowhead has hosted the Border Showdown between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers. The 2007 game drew a near-record 80,537 fans, the 2nd largest crowd since its opening in 1972.

In 2009 and 2010, Arrowhead hosted football games between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Kansas State Wildcats. [1]

The stadium also plays host to the annual Fall Classic at Arrowhead, a Division II game featuring Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State University. The 2004 game featured No. 1 Pittsburg State defeating No. 2 Northwest Missouri State in the only Division II game to feature the nation's top two teams playing in the regular season finale.

Renovations[]

Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium

Arrowhead prior to renovations between 2008–2010.

File:061119Chiefs-Raiders01.jpg

A B-2 Spirit, based at nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, flies over Arrowhead prior to the 2006 Chiefs-Raiders game.

On April 4, 2006, Jackson County voters approved a tax increase to finance municipal bonds to pay for $850 million in renovations to Arrowhead and nearby Kauffman Stadium. Before the bond election, the NFL awarded the 49th Super Bowl in 2015 to Kansas City provided it have a climate controlled stadium. With the passing of the stadium bill, the Chiefs signed a new lease which ensures that the team will remain at Arrowhead until at least 2031.

However, a second bond issue to put a rolling roof over the stadium was defeated by voters, and Kansas City chose to withdraw its request to host Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.[13]

On August 15, 2007, the Chiefs announced final plans for the renovated Arrowhead Stadium, which would cost $375 million. The cost to the city was reduced by $50 million thanks to an additional payment by the Hunt family, which originally had intended to donate just $75 million. The renovated stadium will feature the Chiefs Hall of Honor, currently known as the Chiefs Hall of Fame; a tribute to Lamar Hunt; and "horizon level" seating in which luxury suite owners will be sitting outdoors.[14]

Reconstruction for the stadiums started on October 3, 2007. Refurbishment of nearby Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals baseball team, commenced at that time, and both stadiums were ready for play by the 2010 season.

Stadium music[]

From 1960 to 2008, the TD Pack Band was a mainstay at every Chiefs home game. The band was founded by trumpeter Tony DiPardo. The band was previously known as The Zing Band while the Chiefs played at Municipal Stadium. DiPardo, nicknamed "Mr. Music,"[15] was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 15, 1912. DiPardo has written songs about the team such as "The Chiefs are on the Warpath" and "The Hank Stram Polka." DiPardo earned a Super Bowl ring for the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl IV. Since 1989 DiPardo's daughter Patti DiPardo-Livergood has led the band due to her father's declining health. The band played live music for the crowd from a stand located in the southeast end-zone.

DiPardo performed the song "Taps" on his trumpet at the Chiefs' December 31, 2006 home game against the Jaguars in tribute to Lamar Hunt. Hunt had died weeks prior to the game. On January 27th, 2011 Tony DiPardo passed away but his daughter Patti still oversees the music and entertainment at Arrowhead Stadium as a tribute to her father.[16]

At the end of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before every Chiefs game, the fans yell "Chiefs!" in place of "brave" in the closing lyric. The only exception being their first home game following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks against the New York Giants on September 23, 2001.

Since the 2009 season, the Chiefs Rumble Drumline has performed in and around the stadium before and during all Chiefs home games as part of the game-day production. The drumline generally consists of 7-10 snare drums, 2-3 tenor drums, 5 bass drums, and 4 cymbal players. The Rumble drumline has been sponsored by Kansas City-based RentMyInstrument.com since their inception in 2009.

Concerts[]

  • Deep Purple on August 28, 1974, with Elf and The J. Geils Band.
  • The Rolling Stones on June 6, 1975 and October 8, 1989.
  • ZZ Top on August 29, 1975 and July 11, 1976.
  • Summer Jam on June 17, 1979, June 27, 1980 and May 30 and August 15, 1982.
  • The Jacksons on July 6–8, 1984 (They kicked off their tour here, performing to a total of 135,000 fans).
  • Pink Floyd on May 26, 1988 and June 20, 1994.
  • Van Halen, Scorpions, Dokken, Metallica and Kingdom Come on July 10, 1988 during the Monsters of Rock Festival Tour.
  • The Who on August 5, 1989.
  • Metallica and Guns N' Roses on September 17, 1992, with Body Count during the Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour.
  • U2 on October 18, 1992, with The Sugarcubes and Public Enemy and May 19, 1997, with Fun Lovin' Criminals.
  • Paul McCartney on May 31, 1993.
  • George Strait Country Music Festival on May 12, 2001.
  • 'N Sync on July 10, 2001.
  • Kenny Chesney on July 30, 2011.
  • Taylor Swift on September 24, 2011.

References and notes[]

  1. Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead
  2. Larry Felser (September 21, 1997). "CHIEFS MASTER THE ART OF MARKETING IN A SMALL MARKET". The Buffalo News. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=BN&p_theme=bn&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF9A698348A3F7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  3. Randy Covitz (September 8, 1995). "Chiefs make KC's pitch for Big 12 football title game Arrowhead is biggest of four stadiums in the running get event". Kansas City Star. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF4212652DA7C5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  4. Thomas Rogers (December 13, 1976). "Colts Rout Bills, 58-20, for Title; Steelers Playoff Foe". New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10D17FD3C5F137B93C1A81789D95F428785F9. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. "Truman Sports Complex Renovation Newsletter". Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. January 2010. http://www.jcsca.org/new/padmin/UserFiles/File/January%202010%20Newsletter.pdf.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2008. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  7. "Stadium History". Team History. Chiefs War Path. http://www.chiefswarpath.com/teamhistory/stadiums.htm. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  8. Welcome to Arrowhead - Volume 1, youtube.com
  9. Welcome to Arrowhead - Thanksgiving, youtube.com
  10. "Chiefs ready for playoff nemesis Indianapolis". The Topeka Capital-Journal. 2004. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20040111/ai_n11810123/.
  11. "Missouri Beats Kansas". Associated Press. 2007-11-24. http://www.newsvine.com/_sports/recap/45842. Retrieved 2007-11-25.[dead link]
  12. "Kansas City Chiefs Contract with Daktronics for HD Video Displays". http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/archive/index.php/t-194863.html.
  13. No rolling roof, no Super Bowl at Arrowhead Associated Press, 25 May 2006.
  14. Chiefs unveil the new Arrowhead KCChiefs.com, 15 August 2007.
  15. "Mr. Music is ailing". Kansas City Chiefs. 2008-03-19. http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/03/19/mr_music_is_ailing/. Retrieved 2008-12-31.[dead link]
  16. "Tony DiPardo's Daughter Patti Keeps the Music Alive at Arrowhead Stadium". Kansas City News. September 26, 2011. http://www.kansas-city-news.pro/2011/09/tony-dipardos-daughter-patti-keeps.html.

External links[]

Events and tenants
Preceded by
Municipal Stadium
Home of the
Kansas City Chiefs

1972 – present
Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
first stadium
Home of the
Kansas City Wizards

1996 – 2007
Succeeded by
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
Preceded by

Alamodome
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Alamodome
Host of the
Big 12 Championship Game

2000
2003 – 2004
2006
2008
Succeeded by

Texas Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Alamodome
Cowboys Stadium
Preceded by
Texas Stadium
Host of the
NFL Pro Bowl

1974
Succeeded by
Miami Orange Bowl
Preceded by
Camp Randall Stadium
Host of the Drum Corps International World Championship
1988 – 1989
Succeeded by
Rich Stadium

Template:Big 12 Championship Game venues

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