Kansas City Chiefs Shock the NFL With Thrilling Last-Second Victory—Highlights, Player Reactions & What’s Next

KANSAS CITY, Kan.—The Kansas City Chiefs have taken a decisive step toward their long-anticipated move across state lines, naming architectural powerhouses MANICA and Populous as the two finalists to design a $3 billion domed stadium and mixed-use district in Wyandotte County. Both firms bring Super Bowl–ready résumés: MANICA helped shape Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, while Kansas City–based Populous is fresh off NFL and World Cup projects worldwide. Team chairman Clark Hunt confirmed that several “fan-centric” concept renderings will be released later this spring, kicking off a public feedback tour through Kansas City, Olathe and the Legends shopping corridor. Groundbreaking is targeted for early 2028, with the state-of-the-art venue slated to open for Week 1 of the 2031 NFL season—exactly 62 years after Arrowhead first welcomed Chiefs Kingdom. Even as shovels inch closer to the dirt, all eyes remain on franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Hunt told reporters he is “optimistic” the two-time MVP will be cleared for full training-camp work after reconstructive surgery on two knee ligaments suffered in December; internal evaluations show Mahomes tracking “ahead of schedule,” raising hopes he will start the 2026 opener. The dual headlines reshape the narrative of a team coming off an uncharacteristic 6-11 campaign under Andy Reid. A healthy Mahomes paired with a revenue-driving retractable-roof stadium could keep the Chiefs atop the AFC West for another generation while delivering year-round concerts, Final Fours and Super Bowls to the Kansas side of the metro. Key dates to watch: • Spring 2026 – Release of design mock-ups and fan town-hall tour • Fall 2026 – Final selection of MANICA or Populous, followed by detailed engineering studies • Early 2028 – Formal groundbreaking in Wyandotte County • September 2031 – Kansas City Chiefs host first regular-season game in new stadium For now, Chiefs Kingdom can circle late July, when Mahomes is expected to jog onto the practice fields of St. Joseph, signaling that both the face and the future of the franchise are on the mend.