Populous has been chosen as architect of record to design the new ballpark for Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Kansas City Royals, with new renderings revealing plans for a 34,000-seat, open-air venue in downtown Kansas City.
The proposed ballpark will be located in the Crown Center district and is designed to bring fans closer to the action while connecting baseball with the surrounding community.
Populous said Kansas City Royals’ new ballpark is distinctly Kansas City, drawing inspiration from the city’s character, landscape and architectural heritage.
Fitting comfortably within the city’s existing limestone bluff, its exterior architecture embraces elements that have defined Kansas City’s landmarks for decades.
The project forms part of a proposed $3 billion redevelopment of the Crown Center area, with the ballpark itself estimated to cost $1.9 billion. The Royals are targeting an opening for the 2030 season, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
Earl Santee, Founder and Senior Principal at Populous, said, “We are honored to lead the design of a new ballpark for the Royals that feels unmistakably Kansas City.
“More than a ballpark, this will be a destination where memories are made, where generations of fans can celebrate the traditions they cherish and where Royals baseball connects to the heart of downtown as the team and the city begin an exciting new chapter in our hometown.”
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri (US). The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League Central Division.
The Royals currently play at the 40,793-seat Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri (US).
Honoring tradition
The updated design for Kansas City Royals’ new ballpark honors the crown, fountains and traditions that have made Kauffman Stadium a beloved home for generations of Royals fans while creating a future-ready experience.
The ballpark’s entrance features limestone framed by a layered screen of light-colored materials, metal and terracotta.
A lightweight fabric canopy will maintain the open-air character of the ballpark while helping to manage Kansas City’s summer heat. Populous says the canopy is designed to shade approximately 65% of the seating during late-afternoon conditions.
In the outfield, an entertainment building in right field and a Royals headquarters building in left field will connect to the ballpark through two continuous 360-degree concourses. These will open the seating bowl to views of the city and provide space for a range of fan amenities.
The design will also incorporate familiar Royals features, including the Little K, CrownVision scoreboard and the team’s iconic fountains.
Royals President of Real Estate and Development Brooks Sherman said, “This new neighborhood ballpark in the heart of Kansas City will lift our hometown’s profile and create jobs and economic activity that will benefit the community and Royals fans.
“We think of Populous as our hometown design team, but they are also the world’s leader in sports architecture. Kansas City and Royals fans deserve the best, and we’re proud to help provide it.”
Populous and the Royals share a decades-long relationship that includes multiple projects and renovations at Kauffman Stadium and the design of Surprise Stadium, the Royals’ spring training home in Arizona.
Intimate Fan Experience
The seating bowl is one of the most intimate seating bowls in all of Major League Baseball, with unprecedented proximity that will give fans a stronger connection to what’s happening on the field.
The ballpark will feature approximately 34,000 seats with space for approximately 3,000 standing-room-only spots. 80% of seating is located between the foul poles.
Immersive fan experiences bring fans closer to the game, including a reimagined Little K, CrownVision and fountain seating. Some 50 unique fan experiences are planned throughout the park
Community-Driven Destination
Located in the heart of Kansas City, the ballpark creates a new way for the community to experience Royals baseball and downtown.
With connections to local transportation, including Union Station and the KC Streetcar, the ballpark becomes part of the city with improved walkability and downtown connectivity.
Parking garages and premium entries will be located primarily along the south and west sides of the ballpark, with potential surface parking south and west of the site.
The 365-day event plaza will create a year-round destination accommodating concerts, festivals, corporate functions, social events and other uses.
In September, the Royals said they were partnering with Mortenson and McCownGordon as well as JE Dunn on the project.
The Mortenson | McCownGordon joint venture will serve as Construction Manager at Risk for the 1.25-million-square-foot open-air stadium.
JE Dunn will partner in shaping the surrounding live-work-play neighborhood across the broader 85-acre district, the largest sports-anchored downtown development in baseball.
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