Kansas City Chiefs announce major update on new $3 billion stadium design

The future of the Kansas City Chiefs has officially entered its next phase.

Just weeks after confirming a historic move across the state line, the franchise announced Tuesday that it has narrowed its search for the lead architect of its $3 billion domed stadium to two local heavyweights: MANICA Architecture and Populous.

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The announcement marks the most significant update to the project since Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt finalized a deal in December 2025 to bring the team to Wyandotte County.

By selecting two firms based in the Kansas City area, the Chiefs are leaning into the region’s reputation as the global hub for sports architecture.

“The Kansas City region is the central hub of global sports and entertainment venue design, so we didn’t need to go far to identify the top options,” said Chiefs President Mark Donovan.

MANICA Architecture is led by David Manica. The firm has recently gained massive momentum with the design of the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and the upcoming Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Their prior work is known for high-end luxury, revenue-generating efficiency, and sleek, modern aesthetics.

Meanwhile, Populous is more of a legacy firm with over 40 years of history. They designed the original renovations for Arrowhead Stadium and the groundbreaking Sphere in Las Vegas.

Their pitch centers on deep community roots and a track record of creating iconic, fan-first environments.

The Chiefs’ $3 billion stadium is only the centerpiece of a much larger vision. The project, slated to open for the 2031 NFL season, includes much more than just a football field.

The stadium will be the anchor of a mixed-use development in Wyandotte County featuring retail, dining, hotels, and residential spaces.

Separately, the team is developing a $1 billion headquarters and training facility in Olathe, Kansas.

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State estimates suggest the construction phase alone will generate over 20,000 jobs and a $4.4 billion economic impact.

While the move to a fixed-roof facility ensures Kansas City can finally host bucket-list events like the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, and the College Football Playoff, fans have expressed concern over losing the legendary atmosphere of GEHA Field at Arrowhead.

To address this, both finalists have been tasked with preserving the spirit of Arrowhead.

The Chiefs have emphasized that the new design must maintain the legendary acoustics that make Kansas City one of the loudest environments in professional sports while modernizing the experience with climate control.

So what comes next?

The competition between MANICA and Populous will heat up over the next few months as both firms present final concepts to Clark Hunt and the Chiefs’ executive team.

A final selection for the lead designer is expected by Spring 2026.

As the franchise looks to rebound from a challenging 2025 season, the “New Era in Kansas” serves as a beacon of long-term stability and ambition for Chiefs Kingdom.

The timeline for the new $3 billion stadium would line up perfectly with the veteran prime of Patrick Mahomes’ career. When the Chiefs officially kick off in the new Wyandotte County dome in 2031, Mahomes will be 35 years old (turning 36 that September).

For a player who has often cited Tom Brady’s longevity as a personal benchmark, a 35-year-old Mahomes would surely still be playing at an elite level, potentially mirroring the late-career dominance seen from legends who transitioned into more cerebral styles of play.

For Chiefs Kingdom, the prospect of Mahomes christening a new era of Kansas City football in a state-of-the-art facility provides a powerful silver lining to his current road to recovery.

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