Stadiums
HNTB’S ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE
Design That Moves People
HNTB has a long history of delivering innovative and impactful sports and entertainment venues, helping municipalities, universities, and professional teams create world-class destinations that meet evolving industry demands. We have led the way in designing stadiums, arenas, ballparks, and entertainment districts that elevate the guest experience while ensuring long-term operational success. Our approach prioritizes innovation, incorporating advancements in premium seating, immersive digital experiences, and adaptable venue layouts that maximize flexibility beyond game day. By seamlessly blending new technologies with architectural excellence, we help clients create iconic venues that are not only state-of-the-art but also deeply connected to their communities.
Sustainability and economic responsibility are at the core of our design strategies, ensuring that sports and entertainment venues are both environmentally conscious and financially viable. We focus on energy-efficient systems, responsible material sourcing, and resilient design features that reduce operational costs while enhancing sustainability. By transforming venues into multi-use destinations that support year-round programming—including concerts, conventions, and community events— HNTB helps clients drive return on investment and create lasting value for fans, teams, and cities alike. Through thoughtful planning and forward-thinking design, we continue to redefine what’s possible in sports and entertainment architecture—delivering venues that are innovative, adaptable, and built for the future.
Sports Architecture Services
– Architectural Design
– Branding & Graphic Design
– Civil Engineering
– Code & Life Safety Reviews
– Cost Estimating
– Facility Assessments
– Fundraising Graphics & Visualization Tools
– Interior Design
– Landscape Architecture
– Master Planning
– On-Site Construction Administration
– Programming & Benchmark Analysis
– Site & Venue Feasibility Studies
– Structural Engineering
– Transportation Planning
– Traffic Analysis & Modeling
– Urban Planning & Master Planning
Sports Clients
Our talented team of architecture professionals are proud of our association and our service as trusted advisors to these sports clients. This list represents both the HNTB sports and entertainment portfolio along with the clients of industry experts who have recently joined HNTB. Our team possesses a strength of experience in stadium documentation and delivery, including projects completed at HNTB and with prior firms.
NFL Las Vegas Raiders
Project
Allegiant Stadium
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada
Year
2020
Services
Architect of Record
Interior Design
On-site Construction Administration
Designed in association with MANICA Architecture, the $1.54B domed and air-conditioned stadium features seating for 65,000, but can be expanded to accommodate larger events such as the Super Bowl and other world-class entertainment events. To fulfill its role as a multipurpose entertainment, retail and sports facility destination, the new stadium design incorporates contemporary features, and intensely focuses on technologically enhanced facilities to support a wide variety of events – including soccer and non-athletic events like concerts. Additional features include a retractable natural turf field and large operable walls that open to dazzling views of the neighboring Las Vegas Strip. A wide variety of open clubs, lounges and private suites throughout all levels offer an array of premium price points.
NFL Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium
NFL San Francisco 49ers
Project
Levi’s Stadium
Location
Santa Clara, California
Year
2014
Services
Architectural Design
Civil Engineering
Interior Design
Master Planning
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
Structural Engineering
Delivered on budget and on schedule, the home of the San Francisco 49ers is the first new-construction NFL stadium to achieve LEED® Gold certification.
To achieve the premium design and express the franchise’s distinctive character, the project team formed a “creative council,” which informed the design of premium spaces and resulted in each club feeling like the sponsor’s brand.
The stadium was delivered under a first-of-its-kind hybrid design-build model, which thrives on intense owner-project team collaboration. The heightened collaboration accelerated an aggressive schedule, making Levi’s Stadium the NFL’s fastest-constructed stadium.
NFL San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium
NFL Denver Broncos
Project
Empower Field at Mile High
Location
Denver, Colorado
Year
2001, 2023
Services
Architectural Design
Master Planning
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
HNTB led a design team for the new Empower Field at Mile High, which honored the unique and special traditions of Denver’s original Mile High Stadium. It was designed as a Stadium in the Park, integrated into an urban setting that served as a civic anchor for downtown Denver, complementing the surrounding architecture and landscape. The project was fast-tracked with multiple early demolition, foundation, and steel packages to accelerate the schedule—leading to delivery two weeks ahead of schedule and $4.5M under budget.
Featuring 124 private suites, three stadium clubs, two museums, and a retail store, the stadium hosted over 300 non-football events each year. It included more than 76,125 seats, a natural grass playing surface, and a range of revenue-generating fan amenities.
In 2024, Empower Field at Mile High underwent a groundbreaking transformation through a capital improvement project exceeding $100 million. This endeavor, the largest in the venue’s history, redefined the fan experience and elevated the stadium to new heights. The upgrades included state-of-the-art enhancements across multiple areas, such as video boards, premium hospitality sections, technology, concessions, the Broncos Team Store, and ticketing.
NFL Denver Broncos Empower Field at Mile High
MLS Columbus Crew
Project
Lower.com Field
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Year
2021
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Structural Engineering
HNTB served as lead design architect and architect of record for Lower.com Field, home to the Columbus Crew, one of the 10 inaugural professional teams that were part of Major League Soccer. The stadium is situated at the terminus of Nationwide Boulevard, a pedestrian-friendly Columbus street that connects major sports venues like Nationwide Arena, Huntington Ballpark and Lower.com Field to the Arena District. Lower.com Field anchors the future Astor Park development, which will feature as much as 150,000-SF of commercial and office space along with 440 residential units, including 20% set aside as affordable housing. The new neighborhood will also feature a new Riverfront Park, providing recreation amenities and trail access.
Inspired by the Community: Influenced by the vibrancy and diversity of Columbus’ urban neighborhoods, the stadium boasts four unique stands, each with its own features and character. The supporter’s “Nordecke” safe-standing section in the north is designed to be the steepest in MLS, along with two elevated patio decks and a beer garden for 3,356 of Columbus Crew’s faithful supporters. The 5,000SF pub-style restaurant near the primary entry will offer open views to the entrance plaza and Columbus’ vibrant downtown skyline.
MLS Columbus Crew
USL Sacramento Republic FC
Project
Sacramento Republic FC Stadium
Location
Sacramento, California
Year 2018
Services
Architectural Design
Architect of Record
HNTB served as Lead Architect and Architect of Record for a 20,100seat, 406,000-SF stadium to support USL soccer for Sacramento Republic FC, college football, rugby, concerts, art festivals and community events. The project was paused at 95% construction document completion phase.
To optimize the design and reduce construction costs, the team used a single concourse design, an on-grade field configuration and a simple modular exterior design that still provides the stadium with an iconic look that reflects the spirit of Sacramento, highlighting a distinctive civic identity and clear, engaging design. Showcasing the team’s brand, exterior appearance and building structure are all based on Republic FC’s logo: the star. The stadium also pays homage to Sacramento’s urban forests and famed canopies. Site and landscape design, along with local food vendors and concessions, will pay homage to Sacramento’s agricultural heritage.
Northwestern University
Project
Ryan Field Redevelopment
Location
Evanston, Illinois
Year
2026
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Serving as the lead design architect and architect of record with Perkins&Will serving as the associate design architect, the design of the new Ryan Field and campus will reduce seating capacity by 12,000 to 35,000, bringing fans much closer to the field, resulting in an engaging and intimate experience. Wide concourses and terraces with unobstructed viewing areas and refreshment stands will provide ease of access throughout the stadium and plenty of room for informal gathering. Outdoor plazas, some with direct views onto the field stadium, will allow students, alumni, families, and community supporters to gather and tailgate before and after games, enhancing the game-day experience.
Ryan Field also will be the most accessible in college football. The stadium and all of its services are meant to meet the needs of people with all abilities without the need for adaptation or specialized design. With the vision of the Ryan family, and HNTB and Perkins&Will’s commitment to equity in design, the new stadium goes much further, at least doubling all ADA requirements, which fans will see in wider entry points and ramps, expanded terraces for seating, additional grab bars throughout the stadium, and in restroom fixture configurations.
Northwestern University Ryan Field Redevelopment
University of Kansas
Project
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium Renovation
Location
Lawrence, Kansas
Year
2025
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Structural Engineering
The University of Kansas recently unveiled a new vision for their transformational Gateway District in the heart of Lawrence, Kansas, which includes major upgrades to the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and a remodel to Anderson Family Football Complex.
The redesigned stadium will include upgrades to the in-game fan experience such as seating bowl design with improved sightlines that increase comfort and bring fans closer to the field; expanded concessions, restrooms and accessible seating locations; improved concourse circulation; and premium amenities such as club seats, ledge seats and suites.
The stadium will also include multi-use spaces to augment conference facilities and bring the public together. Nestled into the landscape, the design creates an indoor-outdoor interconnectedness that elevates the authenticity of the fan experience.
The first phase of the renovation to Anderson Family Football Complex features a locker room, weight room, entry lobby, expanded auditorium, expanded coaches’ offices and expanded team meeting rooms. Phase 2 will feature a state-of-the-art sports medicine, sports science and recovery area. Additionally, one of the club lounges adjacent to the complex will serve as a training table for student-athletes.
University of Kansas David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium Renovation
The Ohio State University
Project
Ohio Stadium
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Year
2001, 2019
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design Programming & Benchmark Analysis
HNTB provided planning and design services for the renovation and expansion of historic Ohio Stadium in 2001, and completed an additional multiphase renovation in 2018 and 2019 that provided enhanced premium amenities, concrete restoration, seating bowl and vertical transportation upgrades. Key elements of the recent project included a renovated and expanded University Suite, addition of 186 new loge seats and premium loge club and construction of 16 new premium suites. The new 9,000-SF premium loge club can accommodate 300 fans and has operable glazing that retracts 200 feet, providing unobstructed views to the field.
The Ohio State University Ohio Stadium
University of Iowa
Project
Kinnick Stadium Renovation
Location
Iowa City, Iowa
Year
2019
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
Structural Engineering
HNTB, in collaboration with Neumann Monson Architects, served as lead design architect for the renovation of the North End Zone project. The project consists of a complete tear-down and rebuild of the north end zone with a new four-level structure that includes 8,350 new general seats and 1,570 premium club seats, new main and upper concourses with concessions, restrooms and support spaces, 20,000-SF of new club lounge to support outdoor club seats and 10 loge boxes were added along with two branded outdoor club terraces. A pedestrian bridge was added to provide a connection to the parking garage.
The project was completed in two phases. The seating bowl with all club and general admission seating was completed for the 2018 football season, while the indoor club space and concourse amenities were completed prior to the 2019 season.
University of Iowa Kinnick Stadium Renovation
Arizona State University
Project
Mountain America Stadium
Location
Tempe, Arizona
Year
2015, 2016, 2017
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Fundraising Graphics & Visualization Tools
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
Structural Engineering
HNTB’s national sports design team transformed the iconic stadium into an energized, connected, and world-class sports and entertainment venue. Since it opened in 1958, Arizona State University’s Mountain America Stadium has played host to ASU football, NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, annual college bowl games, the Super Bowl and a visit from Pope John Paul II. However, the venerable stadium had not seen a significant renovation for 25 years until officials launched a $307M program in 2014 to enhance the game day experience, aid recruiting and create a year-round community asset for Sun Devil Nation.
Phase 1 created a new student seating section and concourse at the south end zone. Phase 2 focused on the west and north sides, and includes 10 Founder’s Suites, two new premium club areas, a complete new lower bow and two new concourses with concessions and restrooms. The north end zone includes new seating, the Sun Deck Terrace, recruiting lounge and 103,000-SF student-athlete sports performance center connected through the Tillman Tunnel. The Phase 3 east sideline construction, which opened ahead of the 2019-2020 football season, focused on a new east sideline club and loge seating area, new lower and upper seating bowl, and new concourse with concessions and restrooms.
HNTB’s Architecture Practice
Arizona State University Mountain America Stadium
University of Kentucky
Project
Kroger Field Renovation
Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Year
2015
Services
Architectural Design
Fundraising Graphics & Visualization Tools
Interior Design
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
Site & Venue Feasibility Studies
Structural Engineering
The trend within college football is to make stadiums bigger and increase capacity. By contrast, a primary goal for Kroger Field was to increase the stadium’s intimacy and provide competitive advantage for the UK football program by actually reducing capacity from 67,000 to 61,000 seats to make it smaller, louder and captivating atmosphere by bringing fans closer to the action. The renovation and addition were phased over two years without interruptions to events.
The delivery of early design packages on a complex stadium project means changes are inevitable, so managing the process is critical.
For the University of Kentucky Kroger Field Renovation project, the HNTB team delivered construction documents as four separate Design Releases — the first being a Structural Steel Package, which was issued six months prior to the final design being issued for bid.
University of Kentucky Kroger Field Renovation
Iowa State University
Project
Jack Trice Stadium
Location
Ames, Iowa
Year
2008, 2009, 2015
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Master Planning
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
Structural Engineering
HNTB, in association with Neumann Monson Architects, completed the recent south end zone addition to Jack Trice Stadium. The project replaced and expanded the existing end zone with more than 13,000 seats, including 3,000 club seats, bringing the stadium capacity to more than 61,000. Directly behind the club seats is the first two-level end zone club in collegiate sports — The Sukup End Zone Club. The club provides two separate 15,000-SF lounge areas, each uniquely branded, which are stacked on top of each other and connected by a large, open central staircase. Each lounge has a combination of bars and concessions areas, and are design to host a variety of functions throughout the year.
A new concourse with new concessions and restrooms was also added, connecting the east and west concourses of the stadium. Additionally, a new upper with a scoreboard, 40 feet tall by 150 feet long, added to enclose the stadium and provide a higher level of intimacy and enclosure to the stadium. The south end zone project sits prominently along University Boulevard, and has become a front door to the university.
Iowa State University Jack Trice Stadium
University of NebraskaLincoln
Project
Memorial Stadium Renovation
Location
Lincoln, Nebraska
Year
2013
Services
Architectural Design
Fundraising Graphics & Visualization Tools
Interior Design
Programming
Structural Engineering
The project included the addition of 2,119 new outdoor club seats, 38 skybox suites and 3,300 new general seats through an east sideline addition that compliments the existing west sideline press tower, visually completing the stadium on both sides. New club lounge areas with support amenities for premium patrons were provided on each of the three new premium levels. One of the premium levels includes six large founder suites that have their own private lounge access. The level was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for further diversification of premium seating offerings, through the future addition of new suites and luxury loge boxes with a dedicated club.
The east addition is completely independent and outside of the historic 1922 stadium and includes a new grand lobby that celebrates the original historic Gate 20 entrance. The design aesthetic blends in with the existing campus architecture outside of the stadium, while still respecting the historic stadium architecture. The design was developed in consideration of University of Nebraska guidelines and through continuous dialogue and collaboration with the university’s Campus Design Review Committee.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Memorial Stadium Renovation
University of CaliforniaBerkeley
Project
California Memorial Stadium Renovation
Location
Berkeley, California
Year
2012
Services
Master Planning
Programming & Benchmark Analysis
Architectural Design
Interior Design
California Memorial Stadium has maintained its status as one of the most picturesque football venues in the country and as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The design fuses together the integrity of the venue with a modern stadium design. The multilevel addition is contemporary and iconic in its design approach, appearing to float above the renovation stadium — juxtaposing new and old. The addition provides three distinctly branded clubs, supporting 3,000 fans.
Careful planning of separate construction projects with multiple bid packages was key to achieving the University’s goals of minimizing impact of construction on the surrounding campus and neighbors. The renovation included the demo and rebuilding of public concourses, vertical circulation, concessions, restrooms, seatings, restoration of the historic facade and upgrades to the existing utilities and infrastructure. The west sideline seating bowl was also replaced with wider treads and aisles.
University of California - Berkeley California Memorial Stadium Renovation
HNTB’s Sports Design Team
Our team possesses a strength of experience in sports and entertainment venue design, including projects completed at HNTB and with prior firms. Collectively, these key team members have unique combination of experiences that have a foundation in best practices balanced against being innovative trend-setters. Supporting this team, HNTB’s sports practice comprises industry experts that can be called upon as this design and planning effort warrants. Our bench strength includes individuals dedicated to site planning, fan experience, player and team development. Contributing to our team’s strength, HNTB’s customized benchmarking and analytics experts focused on return on investment and revenue maximization. Our collective intellectual inventory allows us to pair the right expertise and experience to meet your guiding principles and priorities.