Insights on Adaptive Stadium Design From World Cup Venues

WHO:

HKS Architects - Joshua Tooill, senior designer at HKS

HKS Architects - Peyton Booth, senior designer and business director for hospitality at HKS

HKS Architects - Andrew Schluterman, project architect at HKS

Front Office Sports - Various fans, journalists, and volunteers involved in the World Cup

WHAT:

HKS Architects - Two stadiums, SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium, hosted 17 matches during the World Cup.

HKS Architects - The total attendance at the two stadiums was 1,193,499, averaging 70,206 fans per match.

HKS Architects - AT&T Stadium hosted 9 matches with an attendance of 631,843, while SoFi Stadium hosted 8 matches with an attendance of 561,656.

HKS Architects - The World Cup featured 104 matches across 16 venues.

Front Office Sports - The author attended 12 matches in nine host cities: Los Angeles, Kansas City, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Miami, and Atlanta.

Front Office Sports - The author noted that the atmosphere in Seattle before the U.S. match against Belgium was the best matchday experience witnessed.

WHERE:

HKS Architects - SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, California, and AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, Texas.

Front Office Sports - Matches were held in various cities including Los Angeles, Kansas City, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Miami, and Atlanta.

WHEN:

HKS Architects - The World Cup took place over five weeks during the summer.

Front Office Sports - The author attended matches on the Fourth of July.

WHY:

HKS Architects - The World Cup served as a global stress test for sports design, showcasing how venues can adapt to different events and audiences.

Front Office Sports - The author noted that weather and climate were major concerns during the tournament, impacting the experience.

HOW:

HKS Architects - SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium utilized natural grass pitches and international broadcast centers to accommodate the World Cup.

HKS Architects - The design of the stadiums included features like transparent canopies to maximize natural light and enhance fan experience.

Front Office Sports - The author experienced varying levels of accessibility to stadiums, with some being easily reachable by foot while others required significant travel time.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 09:27 UTC)

The World Cup showcased an impressive total of 104 matches across 16 venues, with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, hosting 17 of those matches and drawing a combined attendance of 1,193,499 fans. The atmosphere was particularly vibrant in Seattle before the U.S. match against Belgium, marking it as the best matchday experience for one attendee who visited nine host cities, including Los Angeles and Miami. Both stadiums were designed with features like natural grass pitches and transparent canopies to enhance fan experience, while weather and climate were significant factors impacting the tournament.