In their Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Arrowhead Stadium looked every inch like Christmas itself. The signature red covered the stands. The flashlights added the much-needed twinkle after a year full of unexpected news. For 53 years, the stadium has been the Kansas City Chiefs‘ home field. But the team has confirmed moving to Wyandotte County, Kansas. With that, the Christmas Game felt like a final goodbye to their legendary tight end, Travis Kelce, as he addressed what he would miss about it.   

“I would say the tradition. You can feel it,” he said, in a recent press conference. “You can feel the kids and the generations of happiness. Man, it’s a beautiful thing. And, it’s something I know I’ll cherish forever, those moments coming out of the tunnel or just making a big play for them late in the game. That’s why we love Arrowhead. It’s a special and unique stadium, especially when they started turning off the lights for us on intros, man, and making it more epic.”

Arrowhead has certainly made every night feel special, and Thursday’s theme was planned all along. In a statement released on December 23, the team asked the fans to download the Chiefs app on their smartphones and tap “join light show” during player introductions and at the end of the third quarter, just like they’ve done since 2020.

Moreover, KC stacked the night with more holiday-special experiences, like players wearing holiday-inspired patches featuring an NFL shield backed by two candy canes and a halftime performance by the Kansas City Symphony. They’ve had even more traditions, especially in the month of December, over the years. We don’t need to look beyond the last season…

In the first half of their Week 14 matchup last season against the Los Angeles Chargers, fans were prompted to cheer as loud as they could. To honor the accomplishment, the Chiefs and Bud Light had created a custom, co-branded glass fridge that sat on the GEHA Drum Deck in the stadium and would ‘break open’ as fans cheered to honor breaking the world record in 2014. If they accomplish it, fans over 21 years of age would be eligible to receive free beers for a year.

They had also inducted their former defensive lineman, Tamba Hali, into the Hall of Fame during halftime. He was also the drum leader with nearly 100 former players at the game to celebrate his induction. The stadium is renowned for its raucous crowd, loyal fan base, and rich community tradition. 

And Thursday night, Kelce certainly soaked all of it in. As he got introduced, the No. 87 pulled his signature bow-and-arrow gesture while looking around as if to remember it for one last time. He even logged in some crucial catches in the final quarter to give the Chiefs a last chance to win the game.

On Kansas City’s final possession, Kelce hauled in three catches for 23 yards, pushing the offense down to Denver’s 21-yard line, with the Chiefs trailing 20-13 with less than a minute remaining. However, an incomplete 3rd & 8 pass to Kelce and a following 4th & 8 incomplete pass to Hollywood Brown with just 20 seconds left in the regulation ended their hopes for good.

After the loss, Kelce stayed back for a little longer to interact with his teammates and fans, just like he did before the kickoff. The signs all hinted that this was it, but he hasn’t yet decided on his NFL future. But if it was indeed the end, this as well may have been his final time in Arrowhead.

The Chiefs pack up to leave their long-time home

The team has officially announced that it will move its home from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, to a new stadium in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The shift will be applicable with the 2031 NFL season. Kansas lawmakers approved major public financing that includes tax incentives and STAR bonds to help build a $3 billion domed stadium and mixed-use sports complex, supporting a long-term financial plan.

However, Missouri officials expressed disappointment, saying they had made offers to keep the team. Many fans feel that the team is leaving its historic home due to financial considerations and incentives. Arrowhead Stadium has been the Chiefs’ home for three Super Bowl wins (LIV, LVII, and LVIII) since they moved from Municipal Stadium in Missouri years after their Super Bowl IV win.

The team will continue playing at Arrowhead through the 2030 season before the move to Kansas is completed. But for one night, Kelce did what he always aims to do: win games.

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“Just been trying to win games,” Kelce said while avoiding answering questions on his retirement before adding that he will discuss the same “with my family, friends, and the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”

Travis Kelce turns emotional following his regular-season home finale

During the Chiefs’ final regular-season home game at Arrowhead Stadium, Travis Kelce showed strong emotion as he walked off the field. In the Chiefs’ 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos, fans gave loud cheers as Kelce soaked in the moment, high-fived supporters, and lived in the moment of what could be his last home game with Kansas City.

“Yeah, it’s a Christmas game, baby! There’s a whole lot of emotion, man. Have everybody in the world watching you,” Kelce said, after the game concluded. “Get to go out there with the guy, a young guy like Chris Oladokun, prime time television. Excited for him, excited for the guys around us, a lot of young guys getting opportunities to, you know, taste what this NFL life on a big stage feels like. I just wanted to get out there and get a win for those guys, man.”

In 13 years with the Chiefs, he has caught a league-high 1077 receptions for 12,990 yards and 82 touchdowns. Except for his rookie season, when he only played one game, he has a streak of over 850 yards per season, except for the last two, where he recorded over 800 yards. He also holds the Chiefs’ franchise record in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

This season was tough for the Chiefs as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, ending a decade-long streak of postseason appearances. The sorrow became heavier as they lost their franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, to a torn ACL earlier in December. And if this was indeed it, Kelce has already made peace with it…

“I think I’m still searching for those answers. I think, obviously, the way this one ended with a sour taste in my mouth, I feel motivated, but I got to make the right decision for me,” Kelce said after the game.