KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches starting June 16.
Crews are installing a soccer pitch inside the stadium and removing hundreds of signs as the venue prepares to become “Kansas City Stadium” for the tournament. The Kansas City Chiefs will hand over the symbolic keys to FIFA officials on Sunday.
Stadium changes underway
About 3,500 seats have been removed to make room for FIFA’s media and broadcast setup, reducing capacity to between 65,000 and 68,000 for World Cup matches. Workers are removing or covering hundreds of signs throughout the stadium, including major sponsorships, as FIFA’s sponsors take priority.
Even the Ring of Honor will carry FIFA branding during the tournament. The Hall of Fame will remain in place.
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six...
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches starting June 16.(KCTV5)
“We’ve started the clean site work already. You can see some of the signage has been removed,” said Matt Kenny, Chiefs executive vice president of operations and events. “You will see a little bit of a transformation with respect to the signage and the branding that you’re accustomed to for Chiefs matches.”
Field modifications
Crews are rebuilding the field from scratch using Bermuda grass, the same variety used for Chiefs games. Workers will weave synthetic fiber into the turf to meet FIFA standards for ball bounce and playability.
“The crown of the field for a FIFA pitch is different than what it is for NFL football,” said Brandon Hamilton, Chiefs vice president of stadium operations and facilities. “We are also going to be installing a synthetic fiber into the pitch. It is a requirement that FIFA has to help reinforce the turf.”
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six...
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches starting June 16.(KCTV5)
The FIFA pitch requires a “turtle back” crown, with the area at the goals perfectly level. After the World Cup, crews will remove the entire field, regrade it and resod it before the Chiefs return in August.
Parking and tailgating changes
FIFA’s hospitality and fan villages will take over much of the parking lot space at the Truman Sports Complex. Organizers are encouraging fans to use buses from the city center or rideshare services, with drop-offs in outer lots.
“It’s substantially less than what you’ll see for a Chiefs game,” Kenny said of available parking tickets. “It’ll be a different environment in terms of tailgating.”
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six...
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches starting June 16.(KCTV5)
World Cup schedule
Kansas City will host four group stage matches: Argentina vs. Algeria on June 16, Ecuador vs. Curacao on June 20, Tunisia vs. Netherlands on June 25, and Algeria vs. Austria on June 27.
The stadium will also host a Round of 32 match on July 3 and a quarterfinal match on July 11.
Sustainability milestone
The Chiefs announced Monday that Arrowhead Stadium has achieved LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system, making it one of the oldest venues to reach that level. The stadium was originally built in 1972.
“Over the past decade, the Kansas City Chiefs and GEHA Field Arrowhead Stadium have made a long-term commitment to sustainability and environmental issues,” Hamilton said.
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six...
Arrowhead Stadium is undergoing a major transformation as Kansas City prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches starting June 16.(KCTV5)
The certification evaluates venues over a 12-month period in areas including energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, composting, indoor air quality and staff transportation practices. The stadium now achieves nearly 90% waste diversion at events through its Chiefs Extra Yard for the Environment platform.
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