MANICA Architecture and Populous have been chosen as the two finalists in the Kansas City Chiefs’ competitive design process for their new $3 billion domed stadium in Wyandotte County, Kansas.
Both finalists are working on proposals to secure the lead designer role for the future home of the Chiefs. The winning designer will be chosen later this spring.
The Chiefs are aiming to open the new stadium, which features a fixed roof to allow for major events like the Super Bowl, in 2031.
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri (US). The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference West Division.
The Chiefs currently play at the 76,416-capacity GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, an American football stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, United States.
Populous said that following significant interest in the RFQ and RFP process, the Chiefs identified Populous, founded in Kansas City more than four decades ago, as one of the firms advancing to the final stage of consideration for the project alongside MANICA.
Scott Radecic, co‑founder and global director of Populous said, “For more than 40 years, Populous has proudly called Kansas City home.
“From here, we have redefined modern sports venue design, creating iconic places that unite communities and transform how fans connect with their teams and each other.
“We are honored to collaborate with the Kansas City Chiefs on a project that reflects their legacy, the passion of Chiefs Kingdom and the promise of what’s next.”
The new fixed‑roof stadium is planned as part of a $3 billion public‑private development in Wyandotte County, Kansas. According to State of Kansas estimates, the project is expected to create more than 20,000 jobs and generate $4.4 billion in economic impact during construction.
When completed, the broader mixed‑use development featuring sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, offices and hotel and residential components is projected to support 3,500 jobs and deliver more than $1 billion in annual economic impact.
Mark Donovan, Chiefs’ president said, “We’re thrilled to take this next step in our new stadium journey and announce the two finalists in our search for lead designer.
“The Kansas City region is the central hub of global sports and entertainment venue architecture and design, so we didn’t need to go far to identify the top options to explore final concepts for the future home of Chiefs Kingdom.”
The stadium is scheduled to open at the start of the 2031 NFL season, marking a transformational milestone for both Chiefs and the region.
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