Kansas City Chiefs Unveil First Renderings for Proposed $3 Billion Stadium

The Kansas City Chiefs have released the first concept renderings for the franchise’s proposed $3 billion enclosed stadium, which is scheduled to open in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2031.

The project calls for a fully enclosed venue with a translucent ETFE roof, seating for approximately 70,000 fans and about 20,000 parking spaces.

“Today we are excited to show Chiefs Kingdom a first look at our new home,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. “From the beginning, our goal has been to build something that improved the gameday experience for every single fan. This new stadium will do just that. It’s spectacular. It honors the rich legacy of this franchise while setting a bold course for the future of Chiefs Kingdom.”

Hunt said several features have already been finalized despite ongoing design work.

“While we’re still finalizing many of the details, there are a few things we know for sure: it will hold 70,000 fans, it will still be the best place in the world to tailgate, and the whole building will be built for noise,” he said.

The Chiefs also announced the firms leading the stadium’s design. Kansas City-based MANICA has been selected as lead design architect, while HNTB will serve as architect of record. CAA Icon will remain the owner’s representative after overseeing the request-for-qualifications, request-for-proposals and design competition process.

The announcement concludes a six-month competition between two finalist design teams.

“We’re proud to name MANICA as our lead design architect and HNTB as the architect of record for this transformational stadium undertaking which will come to life over the next five years,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said.

 “We are incredibly fortunate that Kansas City is home to world-class sports and entertainment design talent, and that has been on full display throughout this process. David (Manica) and the MANICA team stood out throughout a rigorous months-long process, honoring and embracing our history while presenting a bold and dynamic vision for the future,” Donovan continued. 

“We look forward to working alongside both firms to refine these plans and deliver the premier sports and entertainment venue not only in the Midwest, but in the world.” 

According to the team, the design incorporates several elements inspired by Arrowhead Stadium while introducing new features. Plans include parking infrastructure designed to support tailgating, while the stadium’s shape and roof geometry have been engineered to maximize crowd noise.

The seating bowl will be modeled after Arrowhead Stadium and will feature a Drum Deck for pregame and in-game ceremonies. The Chiefs Ring of Honor will be displayed above the seating bowl, and more than 400,000 square feet of translucent roof panels above the playing surface are intended to preserve visibility for military flyovers.

Outside the stadium, plans include a new plaza featuring the Lamar Hunt statue, a Chiefs Hall of Honor that will be more than twice the size of the current exhibit and a Chiefs Team Store that will be approximately four times larger than its existing location. The stadium will also anchor a surrounding mixed-use development.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be entrusted with designing the next home of the Kansas City Chiefs in our hometown,” MANICA President and Owner David Manica said. “My entire team is committed to creating a stadium that honors the legacy, tradition, and unmatched energy of Arrowhead while boldly reimagining its future. This stadium is being designed not just for today’s fans, but for the generations of Chiefs Kingdom to come – a place that reflects the passion, pride, and enduring strength of one of the greatest fan bases in all of sports.”

HNTB President and Project Executive Tom O’Grady shared, “The opportunity to help shape the next home of the Kansas City Chiefs is deeply meaningful to HNTB.”

“This project brings together our deep roots in Kansas City and our experience delivering transformative sports and entertainment venues that elevate the fan experience and strengthen community connections,”  O’Grady continued. “Together with MANICA, we look forward to creating a destination that reflects the legacy of the Chiefs and becomes an enduring landmark for generations of fans.”

The Chiefs estimate the fixed-roof stadium in Wyandotte County, along with a planned practice facility and team headquarters in Olathe and two privately developed mixed-use districts, will generate $8.2 billion in economic impact during construction. Once completed, the project is expected to support 8,500 full-time equivalent jobs and produce $1.5 billion in annual economic impact for the region.

The development will be funded through a public-private partnership. Public funding will come from Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds and the Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund, while the remaining costs will be privately financed. The overall project also includes an additional $1 billion in development within the state of Kansas.