The Kansas City Chiefs have named Clark Construction Group and AECOM to their construction team for a new domed stadium in Wyandotte County. The project, estimated to cost $3 billion, will also involve HNTB as the team’s official architect, with former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees lending his support to the partnership.
Brees shared the news in a celebratory Instagram post, highlighting HNTB’s appointment. He described sports venues as places that can create memorable experiences for athletes and fans while strengthening connections with the communities they represent.
“Great sports environments are about more than the game,” Brees wrote. He said the idea has been important to his work with HNTB and expressed enthusiasm about the firm helping shape the Chiefs’ next home. He also noted that the partnership builds on a relationship spanning decades and could create opportunities to contribute beyond the stadium itself.
HNTB had previously been identified as the official architect for the project. The team has now also established a long-term partnership with the firm, including joint efforts to identify special content opportunities in the future.
Brees is an exclusive partner of HNTB Corporation. The company’s strategic alliance with the former quarterback is intended to strengthen its presence in sports architecture and infrastructure across the United States. His experience playing in a variety of stadium designs and configurations is also expected to offer useful perspective as the firm works on sports-related projects.
The long-term partnership was announced at the inaugural Power Brokers Sports-Anchored Development Summit in Las Vegas. Chiefs president Mark Donovan welcomed HNTB’s role, describing Kansas City as a leading center for architecture, engineering and construction. He said the team was excited to have the firm working on the stadium project and serving as its official architect.
HNTB will work alongside MANICA, which was selected as the project’s lead design architect. The firms will contribute different expertise as plans move forward for the new venue.
HNTB’s previous work on major stadium and infrastructure projects was also relevant to its selection. The firm worked at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It also provided program management for the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport.
The new stadium is scheduled to open in 2031. Current plans call for a capacity of about 70,000 fans and a domed roof featuring more than 400,000 square feet of ETFE panels. The Chiefs are also planning a parking area with more than 20,000 spaces.
The venue’s design is expected to carry forward a recognizable feature of Arrowhead Stadium: its concave upper edge. While the new stadium will have a roof, the design is intended to preserve a visual connection to the Chiefs’ existing home and its game-day identity. The dome will also provide a covered setting for fans.
Clark Construction Group and AECOM will handle construction responsibilities. AECOM is expected to lead strategy and scheduling for the competitive bidding process for the stadium work. Clark Construction has also undertaken projects in the Kansas City area, including the installation of new light columns at David Booth Memorial Stadium in July.
With HNTB’s architectural role, MANICA’s design leadership, and Clark Construction Group and AECOM overseeing construction work, the project brings together several firms with experience in stadium and infrastructure development. Brees’ partnership with HNTB adds another connection to the effort as the Chiefs prepare to move from Arrowhead Stadium into a new era.
