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The Kansas City Chiefs NFL team has unveiled initial concepts for a “complete reimagination and renovation” of Arrowhead Stadium, with the reported $800m (£631m/€737m) project aiming to modernise a venue that opened in 1972.
The team has consulted with a team of experts from architecture firm Populous on best-in-class features and concepts to elevate the fan experience at Arrowhead Stadium. Initial renderings have been released, along with a video of proposed repairs, maintenance, renovations and enhancements.
The plans include a new turf-covered activation zone with tailgate areas and covered entertainment space built over the current site of Kauffman Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals. The Royals are targeting a new stadium of their own and earlier this month unveiled plans to build a new ballpark and entertainment district in the Crossroads area of the city.
The Arrowhead Stadium renovation project will also include a new upper concourse connection bridge that will create 360-degree wrap-around connectivity for fans on the upper concourse, as well as additional space for new food and beverage points of sale.
An upper concourse canopy will provide weather protection for fans in that area of the stadium, while new VIP stadium entry points will lead to all-new spaces inside the venue. New sideline clubs will also be fitted after excavating under the lower-level seating bowl, and bigger video boards and LED ribbon boards will be installed.
Other elements of the project will include upgraded TV, Wi-Fi, DAS and audio system technology to enhance fan connectivity, new end zone clubs and suites, new concession stands, retail spaces and restrooms, a new field access tunnel, full suite and club lounge renovations, ‘grab-n-go’ markets on the concourses, three new pedestrian bridges, a dedicated rideshare zone, a new parking deck on the south side of the stadium, and an expanded parking lot.
Clark Hunt, chairman and chief executive of the Chiefs, said: “For more than five decades, Arrowhead Stadium has been the home of the Chiefs, and a home for so many of our fans.
“This is where generations of Chiefs fans fell in love with the game. History has been written here, legends have been born here, and lifelong memories have been made within these walls. The stadium has become part of the fabric of our community. Today we are excited to share our plans to extend the life of Arrowhead for future generations of Chiefs fans.”
Chiefs president Mark Donovan added: “Today is a major milestone in a very long and complex process that has taken place behind the scenes for more than two years. It is important to recognise the work of our internal team, as well as the team from Populous, who have worked closely on this project from the time that we started reviewing core samples of concrete through today’s announcement.
“There will continue to be many steps, tweaks and updates as we move forward, but we hope Chiefs fans are excited and encouraged by the significant progress and investment that has been made and will continue to be made going forward.”
Last month, the Chiefs and the Royals announced a commitment to remain in Jackson County if voters approve the extension of the 3/8-cent sales tax at a ballot in April. Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium are located next to each other at the Truman Sports Complex.
Later in the month, Jackson County legislators overruled a decision by executive Frank White to veto an ordinance that would have placed the tax renewal on the April ballot. The Royals and the Chiefs said the move marked an “important step forward”.
Both teams’ lease deals at their stadiums expire in 2031. The Chiefs had been weighing up the possibility of building a new stadium but the team has now committed to a major renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.
Arrowhead Stadium will be one of the host venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US will stage with Canada and Mexico. It will host six matches during the tournament, including a quarter-final.
The renovation work at Arrowhead Stadium will not commence until after the World Cup and will take around four years to complete.
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