Arrowhead Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Arrowhead Stadium
nickname = The Red Sea


location = 1 Arrowhead Drive
Kansas City, Missouri 64129
broke_ground = 1968
opened = August 12 1972
owner = Jackson County Sports Complex Authority
operator = Kansas City Chiefs
surface = AstroTurf (1972-1993)
Grass (1994-present)
construction_cost = $43 million
architect = Kivett and Myers
tenants = Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) (1972-present)
Kansas City Wizards (MLS) (1996-2007)
seating_capacity = 79,451 (football & soccer)

Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. The stadium was the former home of the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer from 1996 to 2007. It is part of the city's Truman Sports Complex (together with Kauffman Stadium). Fans occasionally refer to the stadium as The Red Sea or simply Arrowhead. 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. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D-jBLYgWo0 Welcome to Arrowhead - Volume 1] , youtube.com] [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTZGw44r0oU Welcome to Arrowhead - Thanksgiving] , youtube.com]

Arrowhead has long held a reputation for being one of the loudest outdoor stadiums in the NFL due to the exuberance of the Chiefs' fans. [Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, home of the Minnesota Vikings, is the loudest domed stadium. Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, is the loudest roofed stadium.] [ [http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/afc/ArrowheadStadium.htm Stadiums of the NFL-Arrowhead Stadium-Kansas City Chiefs ] ] [ [http://zachishere.com/2006/11/23/arrowhead-stadium-quotes/ Arrowhead Stadium Quotes | ZachIsHere ] ] Fan generated noise was once measured at 116 decibels [By way of comparison, take-off of aircraft may lead to a sound level of more than 100 decibels at the ground.] by the Acoustical Design Group of Mission, KS. [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20040111/ai_n11810123 Chiefs ready for playoff nemesis Indianapolis] "The Topeka Capital-Journal",11 January 2004] [ [http://www.adgkc.com/ Acoustical Design Group ] ] This contributes to the unique "atmosphere" of the stadium, which Sports Illustrated quoted as the reason they gave Arrowhead Stadium the title of being the "Toughest Place to Play" for opposing teams. They explained, "When the Chiefs are having a bad season, they’re tough to beat at Arrowhead. When they’re having a good season, they’re unbeatable. With the scent of barbecue in the air and a sea of red in the stands, Kansas City is the best football atmosphere in the country." [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0604/gallery.toughplaces/content.10.html Sports Illustrated's 2005 poll: "Toughest Places to Play"] . ]

As of the end of the 2007 NFL season, Arrowhead Stadium has a consecutive sell-out record of 149 games (17 full seasons) dating back to the home opener on September 1, 1991 (14–3 victory vs. Atlanta). The Chiefs have a 104–40 home record at Arrowhead stadium since 1990, the best in the NFL. It is the third largest NFL Stadium in seating capacity; being only beaten by Giants Stadium and FedEx Stadium. It is also the 23rd largest stadium in North America.

History

Pre-Construction

In January 1967, the Chiefs played in the first Super Bowl. In October Charlie Finley finally got approval 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 new stadiums. The original design called for construction of separate 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

Construction began in 1968. The original two stadium concept was initially suggested by Denver architect Charles Deaton and Steadman. Deaton's design was implemented by the Kansas City architect firm of Kivett & Myers. Arrowhead was considered to be an architectural influence in the construction of many future NFL stadiums. In 1975 the firm merged with Kansas City architect firm HNTB which has gone on to design stadiums across the country including the following NFL stadiums: Giants Stadium, RCA Dome, INVESCO Field at Mile High, and Ralph Wilson Stadium. Other architects from Kivett joined HOK Sport + Venue + Event which is headquartered in Kansas City. Almost every professional stadium the United States in the last 20 years has been designed by the firms.

1970s

.Construction on Arrowhead Stadium was completed 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 JumboTron 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 offseason (see below). With plans to build a new soccer-specific stadium by the 2010 season, the Wizards do not intend to return to Arrowhead.

The 2007 Border Showdown between the BCS-ranked #2 Kansas Jayhawks and #4 Missouri Tigers drew the second largest crowd in stadium history, at 80,537 with the Tigers winning 36-28. [cite web | url=http://www.newsvine.com/_sports/recap/45842 | title=Missouri Beats Kansas | publisher=Associated Press | date=2007-11-24 | accessdate=2007-11-25]

College football

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

Arrowhead hosts the Border Showdown between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers in 2007 and 2008. This may continue after 2008 if the universities and Chiefs officials agree to an extension. The 2007 game drew a near-record 80,537 (2nd largest attendance) crowd since its opening in 1972.

The stadium also plays host to the annual Fall Classic at Arrowhead, a Division II game featuring Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State. 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

On April 4, 2006, Jackson County voters approved a tax increase for $850 million for renovations to Arrowhead and nearby Kauffman Stadium. However the voters rejected a tax increase for $170 million to place a rolling roof on the stadium. Before the 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 new lease became effective. With the new lease, the Chiefs will remain at Arrowhead until at least 2031.

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. [ [http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2006/04/03/daily22.html?from_rss=1 Voters OK stadium upgrades, reject rolling roof] "Kansas City Business Journal", 5 April, 2006.]

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

Question 2 was on the ballot to raise $140 million for a rolling roof that could be used over both Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. A county use tax was to have been imposed that was equal to the county sales tax. The rolling roof plan did not pass, by a margin of 52% to 48% and Kansas City chose to withdraw its request to host Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2458407 No rolling roof, no Super Bowl at Arrowhead] "Associated Press", 25 May 2006.]

Both questions were placed on the ballot with the agreement that ticket prices would be raised to increase the county's revenue from the Chiefs. The NFL blocked the ticket price increase and parking prices were raised instead to live up to the Chiefs' side of the agreement. Reconstruction for the stadiums started on October 3, 2007 with refurbishment of nearby Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals baseball team, and the stadiums will be done by the year 2010.

The renovations were originally going to force the Wizards to find a temporary home following the 2006 season, but delays have allowed them to return for 2007. The Wizards will move to CommunityAmerica Ballpark in 2008 while they consider other locations in Greater Kansas City for their soccer specific stadium.

On August 15, 2007, the Chiefs announced final plans for the renovated Arrowhead Stadium, which will cost $375 million. The cost was increased by $50 million due to an additional payment by the Hunt Family, whom were originally intending 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. [http://kcchiefs.com/news/2007/08/15/chiefs_unveil_the_new_arrowhead/ Chiefs unveil the new Arrowhead] "KCChiefs.com", 15 August 2007.] The stadium and new player and coaches facilities are still on schedule to be completed by the beginning of the 2011 NFL season. Though the stadium is referred to as "New Arrowhead Stadium," the building as of this time will not be renamed.

On August 28th, 2008 the Chiefs announced their decision to sell the naming rights to Arrowhead Stadium. IMG, a sports and entertainment company, will help them locate a buyer. [ [http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/771526.html Chiefs to sell naming rights] ]

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.kcchiefs.com/arrowhead/ Arrowhead stadium info] – [http://www.kcchiefs.com/arrowhead/seating/ Seating chart] – [http://www.kcchiefs.com/fanfair/v_arrowhead.asp Virtual Tour]
* [http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/afc/ArrowheadStadium.htm Stadiums of the NFL: Arrowhead stadium]

succession box
title = Home of the
Kansas City Chiefs
years = 1972 – present
before = Municipal Stadium
after = currentsuccession box
title = Home of the
Kansas City Wizards
years = 1996 – 2007
before = first stadium
after = CommunityAmerica Ballparksuccession box
title = Host of the
Big 12 Championship Game
years = 2000
2003 – 2004
2006
2008
before =
Alamodome
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Alamodome
after =
Texas Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Alamodome
Dallas Cowboys New Stadiumsuccession box
title = Host of the
NFL Pro Bowl
years = 1974
before = Texas Stadium
after = Miami Orange Bowlsuccession box
title = Host of the Drum Corps International World Championship
years = 1988 – 1989
before = Camp Randall Stadium
after = Rich Stadium