The Royal Showcase – Youth and Open Horse Show
September 12 – 13, 2026
Our New Home
A Historic New Beginning
A new chapter for the American Royal will begin this fall as the organization welcomes competitors, exhibitors and the community to its new home in Kansas City, Kansas for the first time.
As part of this milestone, four of the American Royal’s cornerstone events will be held at the new facility:
- The Royal Showcase Horse Show: September 12-13
- Cutting Horse Show: September 18-21
- World Series of Barbecue: September 30-October 4
- Fall Livestock Show: October 9-25
For the first time in its 127-year history, the American Royal will host events on a campus it owns. Construction on five livestock barns and an exhibition hall, which totals 390,000 square feet, is approximately 80% complete and on track for a September opening.
What is the scope of the overall project, and what is opening this year?
The full American Royal campus is a multi-phase project. This first phase focuses on the barns and exhibition hall, which will open in fall 2026 and serve as the hub for livestock, equine and other events.
Here’s what’s included across the full project:
- Barns & Exhibition Hall – 390,000 square feet (opening fall 2026)
- Main indoor arena – 5,000 to 8,000 seats
- Multi-purpose indoor arena – 3,000 to 6,000 seats
- Covered outdoor arena – 3,000 to 6,000 seats
- Outdoor plaza – 270,000 square feet
- Food and Agriculture Learning and Engagement Center – 80,000 square feet
The additional arenas and buildings will come online in later phases as construction continues.
Where is the new facility located?
The new American Royal facility is located at State Avenue and 118th Street in Kansas City, Kansas, just northwest of Kansas Speedway.
The campus sits on about 80 acres east of 118th Street. The permanent address will be 1899 American Royal Way. The temporary construction address is 11602 State Avenue.
What is the current status of construction?
Construction officially restarted in mid-April after the first round of STAR bond funding closed in early March. Work is now focused on completing the barns and exhibition hall by September 2026 so it’s ready for fall events.
Construction on the rest of the campus, including arenas, food and agriculture learning and engagement center and outdoor plaza, will continue over the next two to three years.
What is the current status of funding?
The total project costs are estimated at $375 million. More than 75 percent of that is already in place through a mix of charitable contributions, private financing and public commitments. Work is ongoing to finalize fundraising for the remaining budget.
How is the American Royal ensuring a smooth transition?
The American Royal team is focused on providing a high-quality experience as we transition to the new facility. Many committee members and volunteers are lending their expertise to making each component of the fall events as successful as possible.
We ask everyone to join us in celebrating but also show patience and understanding as we work through the first events at the new site.
What will construction look like during these events?
The barns and exhibition hall will be complete and ready for use. Other parts of the campus will still be under construction.
We’re working through how active construction will be managed during event dates, with decisions being finalized this summer. Some elements, like landscaping and permanent signage, will not be finished yet. There will also be some limitations on parking while construction continues.
What events will be held at the new facility in 2027?
As more of the campus is completed, additional events will transition to the new facility. Any events that can be safely and effectively held in the barns and exhibition hall will move first.
The facility will also begin hosting outside rental events as it becomes available.
When will headquarters move to the new campus?
The American Royal headquarters will remain in its current location until the new campus is fully complete, with a move expected no later than March 2029.
What will happen to the West Bottoms facility?
The West Bottoms facilities are owned by the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The American Royal will continue to use them until the transition is complete. After that, future use will be determined by the city.
When will the full transition be complete?
The full campus is expected to be completed by March 2029. Some transition activities may continue beyond that as operations fully shift to the new facility.
