Chiefs Announce Two World-Renowned Kansas City-Area Firms as Finalists for Lead Designer of New Stadium
The Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday that following extensive interest in the RFQ and RFP process, two well-known regional architectural design firms – MANICA and Populous (listed alphabetically) – have advanced to the final stage of the competitive design process for the Chiefs new stadium.
“We’re thrilled to take this next step in our new stadium journey and announce the two finalists in our search for lead designer,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “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.”
Notable MANICA projects include New Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, Nevada), New Milan Stadium at San Siro (Milan, Italy), Oklahoma City’s new arena (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Chase Center (San Francisco, California), Miami Freedom Park (Miami, Florida), Birmingham City Football Club’s new stadium (Birmingham, United Kingdom), and VTB Arena Park (Moscow, Russia).
“Our entire team would be thrilled to partner with the Kansas City Chiefs to help bring their new home to life,” said David Manica, president and owner, MANICA. “The Chiefs are a storied franchise and we envision a stadium that exemplifies the organization’s championship mentality and the awe-inspiring spirit of our beloved Arrowhead Stadium. Every element will be approached with intention, ensuring a bold and modern design that not only honors the team’s legacy but creates an even better game-day experience for all of Chiefs Kingdom.”
Notable Populous projects include New Highmark Stadium (Buffalo, New York), New AS Roma Stadium (Rome, Italy), New Kai Tak Stadium + Sports Park (Kowloon, Hong Kong), Wrexham AFC New Kop Stand (Wrexham, United Kingdom), Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, United Kingdom), Co-op Live (Manchester, United Kingdom), Sphere (Las Vegas, Nevada) and the New Grand Stade Hassan II Stadium for the 2030 World Cup (Casablanca, Morocco).
“For more than 40 years, Populous has proudly called Kansas City home,” Scott Radecic, Co-Founder and Global Director of Populous said. “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.”
Today’s announcement is the first of numerous updates expected this year as the Chiefs share details throughout the stadium process to fans and other stakeholders. It marks the first significant update since the agreement for a new Chiefs stadium in the State of Kansas was announced by Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt at a joint event on Monday, December 22, in Topeka, Kansas.
The $3 billion state-of-the-art stadium and surrounding mixed-use development that could include sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel, and residential properties will be located in Wyandotte County and will open at the start of the 2031 NFL season. Based on State of Kansas estimations, the fixed-roof stadium project is slated to deliver more than 20,000 jobs and more than $4.4 billion in economic impact for Kansas during the construction phase alone. The overall project is expected to generate more than 3,500 jobs and more than $1 billion in economic impact annually.
The project will be financed through a public-private partnership, with the public portion (60% of the $3 billion stadium) funded through Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds and the Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund. Both funding mechanisms were established specifically to ensure that there will be no new state taxes and no impact on the state budget. The remaining portion (40% of the $3 billion stadium) will be privately funded. The Hunt Family is also committing $1 billion in additional development as part of the relocation to Kansas.
For full details on the agreement between the Kansas City Chiefs and the State of Kansas for a new fixed-roof stadium, practice facility and headquarters, as well as mixed-use developments, please visit www.kansascommerce.gov/chiefs/.
MANICA combines extensive large-scale project experience with the creativity and personal engagement of a boutique international design studio. Founded in 2007 by David Manica, the firm has established itself as a leader in the sports and entertainment industry through its distinctive blend of specialized expertise and inventive design thinking. The MANICA team approaches each project through open collaboration with clients, delivering innovative and economically responsible solutions grounded in exceptional attention to detail. MANICA’s mission is to develop design solutions that balance revenue generation, operational efficiency, and the ultimate fan experience while integrating the most current trends in stadium and venue design. From pioneering new seating experiences to creating adaptable, multi-purpose environments, MANICA delivers projects that enhance both performance and long-term value. For more information, visit www.manica.global.
Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus — to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses and amplify the pure emotion shared in human moments. Born in Kansas City, Populous was built on a pioneering vision — the power of people coming together around something greater than themselves. Over the last 43 years, the company has grown into the world’s leading design firm dedicated exclusively to creating unforgettable moments and transforming communities. With more than 3,500 projects delivered worldwide, the firm’s partnership philosophy is grounded in innovation, creativity, integrity and long-term commitment. Populous has over 1,600 employees in 34 global offices on four continents with regional centers in Kansas City, London and Brisbane. For more information, visit www.populous.com.
