09/10/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19osEZzmpe/?mibextid=wwXIfr
💎 A New Home for an American Tradition: The American Royal's Ambitious Move is underway, but needs support from individuals to get the project done!
By Sara McConnell
For many, the American Royal is a cherished tradition, a vibrant tapestry of horse shows, livestock exhibitions, and the sizzle of the World Series of Barbecue. It's a place where childhood memories were made, whether it was competing in the hunter/jumper ring or simply enjoying the lively atmosphere and the famous Golden Ox restaurant. But as the event grew, so did its need for a new home. The American Royal is now moving forward with an ambitious project in Kansas, a move that will provide a state-of-the-art campus to serve the agricultural community.
The new facility, located northwest of the Kansas Speedway at 118th and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, is set to become a national hub for food and agriculture. With construction underway and a goal of completion by 2027, this new campus promises to expand the Royal's programming from a seasonal event to a year-round destination for education, competition, and engagement. It's an exciting development that signals a new chapter for an institution with a long and storied history.
I was anxious to learn about where things were with this project because I hope that eventually this facility will allow KCDS to host shows there and perhaps be a future space for our Regional 4 Championships. I connected with Maggie Mohrfeld, Director of New Campus Development, to help enlighten our club about the project.
The following is the update about the American Royal from Maggie.
Navigating a massive construction project takes time and patience, but we remain fixed on the goal–to become the Epicenter of Agriculture on a national scale! We believe we can elevate the agricultural conversation and become a crucial hub for ag innovation, celebration, and inspiration.
The American Royal has designed an intentional, state-of-the-art, one-million-square-foot food and agriculture, education, and events campus northwest of the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, KS, and construction has been underway since 2023.
Currently standing is a fully enclosed 390,000-square-foot exhibition hall—affectionately known as our five barns. Plans also call for three flexible Arenas; main Arena, multi-purpose Arena, and a covered outdoor Arena. A unique key feature of the new campus includes an 80,000 square-foot Learning & Engagement Center, and great strides are underway in the design build of creative, interactive, and engaging exhibits that will tell the various stories of food and agriculture.
We paused construction earlier this year to confirm the financing of $155 million in STAR Bonds, which is a public funding vehicle to support the build. We are now preparing to sell bonds while actively seeking private support. Our goal will be to resume construction work later this year with a goal to be partially open by Summer 2026.
Our timeline depends on securing private funding, so we welcome conversations with individuals and organizations interested in leaving a legacy with the American Royal and companies interested in exposure opportunities.
If you're interested in supporting the project, the American Royal's website outlines several ways to contribute, which aligns with Maggie's call for private support.
Donate: You can make a direct monetary donation online. The American Royal's donation page provides a simple way to contribute, with options for one-time or recurring gifts.
Sponsor: Businesses and organizations can get involved through sponsorships, which provide exposure and help support the project's mission.
Become a Member or Join a Committee: For a more personal connection, you can become a member of the American Royal or join one of its committees.
This new campus is a new chapter for the American Royal, transforming it from a seasonal event into a year-round destination for the agricultural community. The progress so far, combined with the new funding, shows a strong commitment to making this vision a reality.
Contact Maggie Mohrfeld at [email protected] to learn more about investment opportunities.
