When discussing Kansas City Chiefs fans, the focus often falls on their deep connection to the city and region.
However, Chiefs fandom stretches far beyond the borders of Kansas City, Missouri, and the state of Kansas. Over the years, as the Chiefs’ reputation has grown and their success on the field has increased, so has their fan base—reaching across the United States and beyond. Many fans proudly display their Chiefs colors in cities and countries far from Arrowhead Stadium. This phenomenon raises the question: How many Chiefs fans live outside of Kansas City, and what drives their loyalty?
Chiefs Fandom Beyond Kansas City: A National and Global Reach
The Kansas City Chiefs boast one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL. Chiefs fans are known for their loyalty, dedication, and unwavering support, even through the ups and downs that come with being an NFL team. While Kansas City is the epicenter of this fandom, millions of Chiefs fans exist outside the metropolitan area. Estimating the exact number is difficult, but anecdotal evidence, social media metrics, and NFL market research suggest the Chiefs have a large and growing contingent of fans who reside in other parts of the U.S. and even internationally.
A major factor in this growth is the success the Chiefs have had in recent years. The team’s Super Bowl victory in 2020, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, catapulted them into the global spotlight. Mahomes himself has become a transcendent figure in the sports world, bringing new attention to the Chiefs franchise. As a result, people who may not have grown up Chiefs fans have embraced the team and its charismatic leader. This expansion of fandom can be seen in the increasing number of Chiefs jerseys, hats, and flags in places outside of Kansas City.
Additionally, the NFL is a national league, and many people who have relocated for work, family, or other reasons still carry their hometown loyalties with them. Kansas City has a large population of transplants—both from Missouri and Kansas—spread across the U.S. in major cities like Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. These individuals often remain dedicated Chiefs fans despite their new locations, helping spread the fan base geographically.
Chiefs Kingdom: The Role of Social Media and Technology
One of the most significant factors enabling Chiefs fans to remain connected, even when living far from Kansas City, is technology. The rise of social media platforms, NFL streaming services, and other digital tools has made it easier than ever to follow a team from a distance. Chiefs Kingdom—the affectionate name for the fan base—has embraced this connectivity, using platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit to create an online community that spans the globe.
Facebook groups for Chiefs fans can be found in almost every major city in the U.S., and even in international locations. Whether it’s a Chiefs fan club in London or a group of Kansas City transplants living in Denver, these communities use social media to organize watch parties, share news, and engage in discussions about the team. Reddit, in particular, has become a popular platform for Chiefs fans to connect, with a dedicated Chiefs subreddit boasting over 180,000 members. This subreddit includes fans from Kansas City but also from various parts of the world, with users sharing stories of watching games at odd hours or traveling to Kansas City just to experience a game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Furthermore, NFL Game Pass and other streaming services allow fans to watch games live, no matter where they are located. Gone are the days when fans living outside the local broadcast area had to miss games or rely on limited highlights. Today, a fan living in Europe can wake up early to catch the Chiefs play in prime time in the U.S., or a fan in California can stream every Chiefs game even though they live thousands of miles from Kansas City.
Chiefs Bars and Watch Parties: A Sense of Community
While watching games at Arrowhead Stadium is the dream for many fans, not all Chiefs supporters can make the trip to Kansas City regularly. For those who live outside the area, local Chiefs bars and watch parties provide a sense of community and connection to the team. In many cities across the U.S., it’s possible to find a Chiefs bar where fans gather on game day to watch the game together, often creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Arrowhead Stadium.
These bars become hubs for Chiefs Kingdom, with fans coming together to share in the excitement of each game, regardless of the distance from Kansas City. Some of these bars have become well-known among the broader Chiefs fan base. For example, establishments in cities like Dallas, Chicago, and Denver have gained a reputation for hosting large gatherings of Chiefs fans, creating pockets of Chiefs Kingdom in cities far from Missouri.
For fans living internationally, watch parties are equally important. In cities like London, Tokyo, and Sydney, Chiefs fans organize gatherings in the early morning hours or late at night to watch live games. These events foster a strong sense of community and belonging, despite the geographical distance from Kansas City.
The Role of Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs’ Recent Success
It’s impossible to talk about the growth of the Chiefs’ fan base, particularly outside of Kansas City, without mentioning Patrick Mahomes. Since becoming the starting quarterback in 2018, Mahomes has been a transformative figure for the franchise. His exciting style of play, combined with his humility and leadership off the field, has made him one of the most popular athletes in the world. Mahomes jerseys are now seen in stadiums across the country, and he has a large following even among fans of other teams.
Mahomes’ success has helped attract new fans to the Chiefs. Many NFL fans who were neutral or casual viewers before have been drawn to the Chiefs because of Mahomes’ dynamic play. Additionally, younger fans, who are more likely to follow individual players rather than teams, have become invested in the Chiefs because of Mahomes. This influence extends beyond the U.S., as Mahomes’ global popularity has introduced the Chiefs to international audiences. The Chiefs’ Super Bowl victories in 2020 and 2023 further solidified their status as one of the NFL’s premier franchises, attracting even more fans worldwide.
The Future of Chiefs Fandom
Looking ahead, the Chiefs’ fan base will likely continue to grow, especially as the NFL expands its international reach. The league has prioritized growing the sport outside of the United States, hosting games in London, Mexico City, and now Germany. As the Chiefs continue to play in these international games, their global fan base will only expand.
Moreover, the continued success of the team, coupled with the presence of stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, ensures that the Chiefs will remain a major draw for new fans. Chiefs Kingdom is no longer confined to the heartland of America; it’s a global phenomenon, and fans living outside of Kansas City are just as passionate as those in the city itself.
In conclusion, while it’s difficult to quantify exactly how many Chiefs fans live outside of Kansas City, the number is undoubtedly substantial. Through technology, local fan communities, and the global appeal of stars like Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Kingdom has spread far and wide. Whether in Los Angeles, London, or Tokyo, Chiefs fans are united in their love for the team, creating a truly global fan base that extends well b
eyond the city limits of Kansas City.
