Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City will be in the global spotlight again, this time as the setting for one of TV’s most popular shows. The hit Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso will start production in the city. This is a big success for Kansas City’s booming film industry and a personal full-circle moment for hometown actor Jason Sudeikis.
Mayor Quinton Lucas was happy at the news on Tuesday, saying it was a win for both the economy and the heart.
“Having ‘Ted Lasso’ choose Kansas City as a filming location is a tremendous honor and a perfect homecoming for our friend, Jason Sudeikis,” said Mayor Lucas. “‘Ted Lasso’ embodies the same values of community, optimism, and resilience that define Kansas City. The production will showcase Kansas City’s unique character and beauty to audiences worldwide while providing significant economic benefits to our local film community.”
Warner Bros. Television is in charge of the production, which is more than just a symbolic tribute to the city; it’s also a smart choice. The State of Missouri and the City of Kansas City both offer strong incentives, which is why the region now has the highest film incentive percentage in the country. That financial edge has already brought in a lot of business. Since Missouri brought back its film incentive program in July 2023, 15 large productions have chosen Kansas City, including 11 feature films and three series.
“‘Ted Lasso’ filming in Kansas City represents everything we’ve been working toward,” said KC Film Office Director Rachel Kephart. “This is exactly the type of high-profile, quality production that demonstrates Kansas City’s appeal as a premier filming destination.”
It’s hard to miss how Kansas City is becoming more popular in the entertainment industry. In 2024, 60% of all movies made in Missouri were filmed in the city. This was mostly because of the municipal incentive program that had been in effect for eight years. The Hallmark and Kansas City Chiefs partnership Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story was a big hit with people all around the country and became the most-watched cable movie of the year. The Hallmark show The Motherhood also got a lot of attention when it came out this spring.
Estimates say that the initiatives supported by the KC Film Office in 2024 have already had an economic impact of more over $20 million, creating jobs, boosting small businesses, and showing off the city’s lively neighborhoods and cultural identity.
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As Ted Lasso sets up cameras in Kansas City, people should expect not only a lot of production crews, but also a lot of new job opportunities. The show will make the community better through tangible ways, from hiring cast and crew to working with vendors. It will also provide the rest of the globe a new, heartfelt view of Kansas City.
