Kansas City architects extend world-class sports experiences globally ahead of World Cup

Our firms designing 13 of the 16 FIFA World Cup stadiums, that’s pretty impressive,” said Ashley McDonald, Managing Director of KC Global Design.
Published: Jun. 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM CDT|Updated: Jun. 27, 2025 at 7:53 AM CDT
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The countdown is on! Less than a year from the World Cup’s kick-off, Kansas City is set to be in the global spotlight.

When that light shines, all eyes will be focused on Arrowhead Stadium as the site of Kansas City’s World Cup matchups. But, Kansas City will also help deliver a world-class experience for much of FIFA’s festivities in 2026 because of a different organization.

Arrowhead Stadium is known as the loudest stadium in the NFL, at a deafening 142.2 decibels.

“I was at that game that set the record,” said Kelly Holton, Senior Principal and Kansas City Office Director for Populous. “It’s an incredible experience to be a part of that.”

An experience Populous knew it had to capture when the Kansas City architecture firm updated the stadium back in 2010.

“Preserving the amazing bowl that they have there, but then also really adding 500,000 square feet and enclosing a club overlooking the concourses, fan amenities, and it’s an excellent fan experience,” Holton said.

And now, in 2025, Populous is at it again, this time setting the stage for the 2026 World Cup.

“The pitch size for soccer is different from the size of a football field, so just ned to make modifications for the locations of the seats in the lower bowl, to accommodate the size of the soccer pitch,” Holton continued.

FILE - Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
FILE - Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.(KCTV5)

The story of Populous began back in 1983, when the firm created its very first project - you might know it: Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

“And it really set the standard for ballpark design,” Holton said of Camden Yards.

From that ballpark, Populous has grown into a global powerhouse, creating some of the world’s most iconic spaces in sports.

“We’re involved in 11 of the current 16 stadiums,” Holton noted. “It’s pretty exciting to be a part of such a globally recognized event like the FIFA World Cup.”

And the Kansas City connections don’t stop there. In fact, nearly half of sports architecture globally originates in the Kansas City region.

“When you think about it, our firms designing 13 of the 16 FIFA World Cup stadiums, that’s pretty impressive,” said Ashley McDonald, Managing Director of KC Global Design.

Kansas City-based firms had a hand in the construction and design of 13 of the 16 stadiums set...
Kansas City-based firms had a hand in the construction and design of 13 of the 16 stadiums set to host FIFA World Cup games in 2026.(KCTV5)

The organization brings together architecture, engineering and construction firms in the region. These firms are responsible for 10 of the 11 venues in the U.S. Combined, that’s a capacity for more than 850,000 fans.

“It’s a $25 billion industry, there’s more than 1,200 architecture, engineering, and construction firms here throughout the region,” she noted.

McDonald said that when it comes to sports architecture design, Kansas City reigns supreme.

“If you look at the data to support that, our firms have designed nearly half of global sports architecture.”

Of that, KC firms were key to the design of 27 of the 30 NFL stadiums. Nearly every Super Bowl stadium was designed, engineered or renovated by metro area firms, including 19 of the last 21 games. In fact, nearly every Super Bowl stadium still in use was designed, engineered or renovated by a local firm.

It was Kansas City that created the gold standard for Olympic stadiums.

“Really, when you think about sports architecture, the history there, these roots are very very deep,” McDonald noted.

And they’re about to go even deeper. Enter Populous again as a key designer of the 2026 FIFA Fanfest in Kansas City.

“We’re just really excited to be a part of it,” Holton said. “Really dive in.”

So, what exactly will fans be able to dive into at the National World War I Museum and Memorial? Just like anything else World Cup is to be revealed later.

FILE - Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
FILE - Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.(KCTV5)

“But, I can say that it will be about reflecting the heart of Kansas City and the passion that we have for this place,” Holton concluded.

And fun fact for the Chiefs Kingdom, Populous’ next big project - Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills.