Sports
We help clients deliver the best experience for guests and teams, activate communities, and create a return on investment by designing sports and entertainment venues with enhanced technology, service, and amenities.
University of Cincinnati Indoor Practice Facility and Performance Center, Cincinnati
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We will soon see sports and entertainment venues designed to be seamlessly integrated into mixed-use urban districts.
—Jonathan Emmett, Sports leader
27 Items
San Diego State University, Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego, California
Snapdragon Stadium is a 35,000-seat Division 1 stadium, designed by Gensler, for SDSU Football.
University of Texas at Austin, Moody Center
Austin, Texas
Gensler helped the University of Texas consolidate its campus sports venues and create the Moody Center, a LEED Gold Certified basketball arena and live music venue.
Los Angeles Chargers Headquarters and Training Facility
El Segundo, California
Gensler Sports is designing the Los Angeles Chargers’ new team headquarters and training facility in El Segundo, California.
New York Mets Citi Field
Queens, New York
To enhance visitors’ game day experience, Gensler worked to upgrade several key club and suite spaces at the New York Mets’ Citi Field.
BMO Stadium
Los Angeles, California
Gensler designed the 22,000-seat BMO Stadium in L.A.’s Exposition Park, anchoring the Figueroa corridor and capitalizing on great views of the downtown skyline.
University of South Carolina Football Operations Building
Columbia, South Carolina
Quackenbush Architects and Gensler Sports partnered to design the 110,000-square-foot Football Operations Building at the University of South Carolina. This...
Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles, California
Crypto.com Arena (formerly STAPLES Center) is the largest indoor sports and entertainment venue in Los Angeles, and the only arena in the United States that’s home to four major professional sports franchises.
Irvine Amphitheater
Irvine, California
Gensler is designing a new, 14,000 capacity amphitheater and extending the legacy of live outdoor music in Irvine, starting with Irvine Meadows.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Cleveland, Ohio
The new Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse expands the arena’s event space, boosts its functionality, and provides a substantially improved visitor experience for sports fans and concert-goers alike.
LAFC Performance Center
Los Angeles, California
The LAFC Performance Center embodies the culture of the club and the city, both aesthetically and functionally. Coinciding with the inaugural season of the...
The Star
Frisco, Texas
The Star is a multi-use development that includes the new Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and The Ford Center, an events center and sports training facility.
St. David’s Performance Center
Austin, Texas
The training facility for the MLS franchise, Austin FC, is designed to leverage the power of soccer to make a positive impact in community and youth wellness.
Chase Center
San Francisco, California
Gensler led the guest experience and interior design for Chase Center, an 8,000-seat arena that is home of the 2022 NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors.
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland
Gensler is partnering with the Baltimore Ravens to design a series of projects that will enhance the gameday and year-round fan experience at M&T Stadium.
New York Red Bulls Training Complex
Morris Township, New Jersey
The New York Red Bulls partnered with Gensler to design their new training facility that will bring professional, academy, and youth programs together under one roof.
Harvard Westlake School, River Park Campus
Studio City, California
An open-air facility offering a variety of athletic courts and fields for students and the community. Six acres of walking trails surround the site’s recirculating ponds, river observation area, tennis courts, pool, fields, and multipurpose center.
Texas Athletics Basketball and Rowing Training Facility
Austin, Texas
For years, Texas Longhorn basketball has been located off-campus in the heart of downtown Austin. Starting in 2022, the Longhorns will finally move ‘home’ when The Moody Center opens on the main campus.
UC Davis Student Athlete Performance Center
Davis, California
Located west of Sacramento, the UC Davis Student Athlete Performance Center provides a space for student athletes to train, heal, rest and study. Adjacent to UC Davis Health Stadium, this comprehensive training complex gives all UC Davis Student Athletes a destination for building comradery and success on both a personal and team level.
The Hub on Causeway
Boston, Massachusetts
In collaboration with Boston Properties and Delaware North Companies, Gensler designed The Hub on Causeway — a mixed-use development at the Boston Garden.
Atari Hotels
Las Vegas, Nevada
Atari Hotels partnered with Gensler to bring its iconic gaming brand to life with the debut of an experience-driven hospitality, esports, and entertainment destination.
Q2 Stadium
Austin, Texas
Gensler Sports worked alongside Precourt Sports Ventures to design Q2 Stadium and soccer park at McKalla Place in Austin for the city’s first professional sports team, Austin FC.
Auburn University Player Development Facility
Auburn, Alabama
Auburn University’s new player development facility at Plainsman Park includes four new batting tunnels, visitors’ locker room, officials’ locker room, and rest rooms.
Shougang Ice Hockey Arena
Beijing, China
Located in a sprawling former industrial steel plant that has been adapted into a national winter sports training campus, the Shougang Hockey Arena is a facility dedicated to producing top-level talent in pursuit of Gold at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
San Jose State University Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center
San Jose, California
The new Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center serves as a central hub and student destination on campus, comprising a 120,000 sf gymnasium along with a...
Texas A&M Softball Stadium
College Station, Texas
This state-of-the-art stadium aims to be the nation’s top softball facility, creating a better experience for fans and an incentive for elite recruits to come to Texas A&M.
Southwestern College, Wellness and Aquatic Complex
Chula Vista, California
As part of Southwestern College’s master planning effort, the new Wellness and Aquatic Complex replaces the college’s existing facilities. The new building...
Louisiana Tech University Joe Aillet Stadium Renovations
Ruston, LA, USA
One year after opening the Davison Athletic Complex in the south end zone of Joe Aillet Stadium, the Louisiana Tech Athletic Department took the second step in its Quest for Excellence Campaign through development of the new two-level luxury suite/club and press/multi-media facilities.
INSIGHTS
Blog
Trends to Watch: How the Rise of Women’s Professional Sports Is Impacting Venue Design
We talked to six leaders from Gensler’s sports practice about new trends informing the planning and design for the boom in women’s professional sports teams.
Blog
How BMO Stadium Extends the Fan Experience Beyond the Gate
A year-round destination and community asset, BMO Stadium in Los Angeles is a model for other sports and entertainment venues.
Blog
How to Design Practice Facilities Centered on Athletes’ Mental Health
Sports training facilities and performance centers are emphasizing supporting spaces focused on mental health, a key factor in an athlete’s development and overall success.
WEBINAR
Magnetizing People & Places Through the Power of Brand
Gensler’s Brand Design and industry leaders delve into a conversation about the power of brand strategy and storytelling.
Blog
What Two Leading Edge Venues Reveal About the Future of College Sports
Sports venues must go beyond game day and do more for the team, the campus community, and the general public by identifying year-round use.
Blog
How the EveryFan Journey Drives Engagement in Stadium Design
Today’s sports and entertainment venue experience is no longer solely about the event itself; it is intrinsically connected to the fan journey.
Blog
The Future of Sports Venues Is About Creating Vibrant, Multiuse Districts
Gensler’s Director of Sports explains why integrating sports venues into the urban fabric can generate revenue and create live-work-play communities.
Blog
Fans Are Hungry for New Seating Options at Sports Venues
The “one ticket, one seat” model has run its course. From standing only to sponsored zones, a full menu of ticket types is needed to meet consumer demand for live sports.
Blog
Baseball Is Changing. Here’s How Cities Could Change With It.
As the future of downtowns evolves and baseball continues to grow, here are five ideas for how ballparks and urban districts could improve.
Blog
From College Playoffs to the Super Bowl: How Can We Reimagine Live Sports Experiences?
As sports fans journey back to stadiums and arenas, what are their new expectations for game day experiences? Gensler’s Sports Experience Survey offers insights.
Blog
Bob Weis, Former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, on Immersive Experiences and the Story of Our Cities and Spaces
Now at Gensler to lead Immersive Experience Design, Bob talks about how physical experiences are connecting people to place in inspiring new ways.
Blog
What Sports Venues Must Do to Be Tomorrow’s Cultural and Economic Anchors
We will soon see sports and entertainment venues designed to be seamlessly integrated into districts. For both renovations and new venues, outward-facing activation will be key.
Research
Sports Experience Survey 2022
With live sports at a turning point, it’s more important now than ever to understand what people value in a live sports experience, and how venues can adapt and deliver.
Blog
Designing an Innovation District for the City of Austin
Austin’s Innovation District unites education, entertainment, leisure, and sports. This type of urban, mixed-use center brings in new business and diverse populations, while enhancing the culture of a city.
Insight
Design Forecast 2022: Sports
With experience at the forefront of the business of sports, teams and organizations need sports venue designs and renovations that can incorporate the latest changes in technology and social dynamics.
SPORTS DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH
The barriers between arenas and cities will become more porous and multiuse as sports districts redefine city living.
As sports venues become integrated into urban cores, the perimeters separating arenas, stadiums, and cities will dissipate. By activating real estate and experiences surrounding the sports venue, owners, partners, and developers can create 24/7, walkable districts that increase foot traffic, decrease the need for parking, and enhance value for their overall franchise.
Public-private partnerships will bring new funding — and new sports developments — to colleges and universities.
For universities and colleges facing a shrinking donor pool, public-private partnerships (P3s) offer an alternative financing source for new sports developments or renovations. Whether to fund capital improvements or address deferred maintenance on aging assets, these partnerships can benefit schools and drive revenue for developers.
Dedicated facilities for women’s sports will continue to gain traction around the world.
With the rising success of programs like the Women’s World Cup and the WNBA, development for dedicated facilities and programs for women’s sports is accelerating. In addition to dedicated stadiums and arenas for women’s sports, training and performance facilities that cater to the specific needs of female athletes, from training regimens to rehabilitation, will be highly sought after.
SPORTS LEADERSHIP
Ron Turner
Sports Leader, Studio Director, Principal
As a global Sports Leader at Gensler, Ron is one of the industry’s most recognized sports facility designers. His portfolio includes three retractable-roof ballparks, 12 NBA and...
Ryan Sickman
Sports Leader, Principal
A global leader of Gensler’s Sports practice based in Washington, D.C., office, Ryan has spent nearly 20 years designing, managing, and overseeing a number of prominent sports...
Steve Chung
Sports Leader, Design Director, Principal
As a global Sports Leader and Design Director, Steve approaches each project with a strong design sensibility and a passion for improving the quality of life for all users. For...
Andrew Jacobs
Design Director
Andrew is a Design Director in Gensler’s D.C. office and an accomplished designer of sports facilities of various types and sizes. He has been the lead designer and consultant for...
Demetra Thornton
Co-Managing Director, Principal
As Co-Managing Director in Gensler’s Raleigh-Durham office, Demetra is focused on design excellence and working across the firm to ensure that projects continue to push the...
Elizabeth Pritchett
Studio Director
Elizabeth is an interior architectural designer based in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. Her wide range of experience includes large-scale projects across sports, hospitality...
Jonathan Emmett
Design Director, Principal
Jonathan is a Principal and Design Director who has dedicated his career to the design of sports venues and training facilities, combining his extensive technical knowledge with...
Kristin Byrd
Design Director
Kristin is a registered architect and a Design Director for Gensler’s Sports practice, based in Austin. Driven by her lifelong interest in health and wellness, Kristin designs...
Omar Quesada
Design Director
Omar is a leader in Gensler’s Sports practice for the Latin America region, and brings passion and experience in designing sports facilities as well as learning environments. His...
Tayomara Gama
Sports Leader
Tayo is a Sports Leader for Gensler Europe who is passionate about the transformative power of sport architecture to create an experience-focused future that promotes equity...
NEWS
In The Media
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CNN
CNN Explored the Importance of Efficient Restroom Design in Stadiums Ahead of the Super Bowl
Jonathan Emmett explained how long bathroom lines can be a “friction point,” which is why designers and architects “want to get as many of the amenities, whether it’s for restrooms or concessions, as close to the user as possible.”
February 03, 2024
In The Media
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Engineering News-Record New York
ENR New York Recognized Gensler’s Citi Field Upgrades with the 2023 Award of Merit in Sports/Entertainment
ENR recognized the ballpark upgrade, led by Gensler, among its 2023 New York Best Projects. Encompassing more than 26,000 square feet of renovated space, the project focused on enhancing the game day experience.
November 13, 2023
In The Media
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CSQ
Q&A With Demetra Thornton on Shaping the Future of Sports Design at Gensler
The Street interviewed Gensler Los Angeles Managing Director Demetra Thornton about her career path and efforts to actively contribute to the advancement of African American professionals in the region.
October 25, 2023
In The Media
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Sports Business Journal
Sports Business Journal Featured an Interview with Gensler’s Director of Sports, Jon Niemuth
Jon Niemuth discussed his career path, what it takes to be successful, and how the design of sports facilities will continue to evolve. Watch the interview.
October 10, 2023
In The Media
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Nevada Appeal
Transformative Investments at Grand Sierra Resort Include a Gensler-Designed Sports Stadium
The 10,000-seat sports stadium and concert venue will be the new home of the University of Nevada, Reno men’s basketball team.
September 28, 2023
In The Media
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Major League Baseball
The Tampa Bay Rays Eye a $1.3 Billion Ballpark, Designed by Gensler, in St. Petersburg
As part of the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site, the stadium would feature 30,000 seats, three seating levels, and a “pavilion” design.
September 19, 2023
In The Media
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Yahoo Sports
The Rise of Seating Options for Sports Fans
Yahoo Sports interviewed Gensler Sports’ Ron Turner in an article on the demand for premium seating, personal seat licenses, and more affordable mini-suites and loge boxes, which help attract new kinds of visitors.
September 13, 2023
In The Media
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Stadium Business News
Gensler and Rafael de La-Hoz Will Design the New Benito Villamarín Stadium
Real Betis’ Benito Villamarín Stadium aims to create a new icon for the Spanish city of Seville.
August 18, 2023
In The Media
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Marca
Gensler and Rafael de La-Hoz Have Been Selected To Design the New Benito Villamarín Stadium
The Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, Spain will feature a modern fan experience with enhanced comfort and services during games and events.
August 17, 2023
In The Media
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The Architect’s Newspaper
The Philadelphia 76ers’ New Mixed-Use Stadium Complex Now Includes a Residential Tower
An updated proposal for 76 Place, designed by Gensler, now features a 20-story residential tower with affordable housing units.
August 10, 2023
In The Media
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Bisnow Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers’ Proposed Arena Features a Mixed-Income Apartment Building
Updated renderings by Gensler of the 76ers’ proposed arena adds a $250 million mixed-income residential tower with 20% affordable units.
August 09, 2023
In The Media
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Los Angeles Times
New Crypto.com Arena Luxury Suites Will Grant Fans Access to Players’ Tunnel
Designed by Gensler with sports facility architect Dan Meis, the four new “tunnel suites” grant fans special access through the same entrance used by pro athletes and performers.
July 19, 2023
In The Media
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Sports Business Journal
Green Sports Alliance Releases “Building For The Next Generation” Playbook
The playbook focuses on incorporating sustainability into sports venue design, with contributions by firms including Gensler.
July 19, 2023
In The Media
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Metal Architecture
Gensler’s Design of the Moody Center Feels Approachable from Ground Level
The Moody Center at the University of Texas features offset levels and a variety of colors and textures that break down the massing of the building.
July 03, 2023
In The Media
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Sports Business Journal
Sports Business Journal Highlighted How Mercedes-Benz Stadium Is Launching AT&T Lofts
The new premium areas, designed by Gensler, feature flexible lounge seating, an all-inclusive menu, and a personal attendant.
June 06, 2023
In The Media
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AIA Austin
University of Texas’s Moody Center Wins 2023 AIA Austin Design Award of Merit
Gensler’s design of the Moody Center basketball and events arena was honored with a 2023 AIA Austin Design Award of Merit.
May 18, 2023