Throughout 2023, nearly every month featured exciting news related to forthcoming big-scale stadium projects and athletic developments. Many of these weren't limited to stadiums alone but were merely components of greater mixed-use districts that also include room for housing, office spaces, parks and green spaces, as well as retail. Schemes centered more around lifestyle, living, and entertainment seem to be a growing trend in this arena.

There were some common names, such as Populous and HOK, who were very busy this year. Other notable firms were active, as well, with projects including both renovations and completely new structures for various sports.

As part of Archinect's 2023 Year in Review, take a look at some of the best sports architecture and stadium projects in our news this year.

Populous unveils $1 billion Eleven Park stadium design for Indianapolis

In February, Populous unveiled designs for a $1 billion, 20,000-seat multipurpose soccer stadium in Indianapolis. The stadium is for the city's Indy Eleven professional soccer franchise. It will anchor a larger mixed-use development located at the southwesternmost corner of downtown, which includes apartments, a hotel feature, office spaces, and retail. The stadium will include a 2,400-capacity safe-standing northern section, party suites, a terrace club, 700-person terrace club, and “the best concessions and restroom ratios in the league.”

Populous attached to proposed Etihad Stadium expansion for Manchester City FC

Renderings were released in April for a proposed Populous-led expansion of Manchester City Football Club's 24-year-old Etihad Stadium. Plans include the creation of a year-round live entertainment venue to be integrated into the stadium complex, which will see the expansion of seating capacity to over 60,000. A 3,000-capacity covered exterior City Square fan zone is also included in the design, along with plans for a 400-room hotel, team store, and museum. A new tier will also be added to the stadium's North Stand section to provide space for new accommodations.

New York City Football Club selects HOK to design $780 million new soccer stadium in Queens

In the spring, it was announced that HOK would lead the design for New York City FC's first dedicated soccer stadium. The venue will be located in Willets Point, Queens, and will serve as the centerpiece of a planned mixed-use district that includes affordable housing, a hotel, and a public school. The 25,000-seat stadium will reportedly cost $780 million and is expected to be constructed in time for the start of the 2027 MLS season. It was also more recently announced that the stadium will be all-electric.

HOK enlisted by Jacksonville Jaguars to reimagine stadium

In June, HOK announced that it was partnering with NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars to lead the renovation of the team's TIAA Bank Field. Following a thorough engineering assessment of the current stadium, which began in 2020, it was decided that it was possible to address the stadium's issues through a renovation rather than new construction. The reimagined venue will have expanded seating, a network of biking and walking trails, parklands, greenways, beaches, and marshes, an expanded 360-degree concourse, lookout decks, and a range of sustainability measures.

University of Kansas details multipronged campus gateway project with HNTB and Multistudio

HNTB and Multistudio announced in August details for a planned campus gateway district and athletics complex upgrades at the University of Kansas. The project will include the renovation of the 102-year-old David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the adjacent Anderson Family Football Complex. The scheme also includes the development of a new mixed-use district, which, together, aims to spur the school's athletic success, while boosting the local economy. Renovations to the football stadium are expected to be done by 2025.

Tennessee Titans pick construction team for new Nashville NFL stadium

In the summer, the NFL's Tennessee Titans announced that Tennessee Builders Alliance, which consists of Nashville-based ICF Builders, Polk & Associates, Turner Construction Company, and AECOM Hunt, will serve as the Construction Manager at Risk on its new stadium project. Manica Architecture and HASTINGS Architecture are behind the design of the proposed $1.2 billion, 60,000-seat stadium. The structure will span 1.7 million square feet and feature a circular ETFE translucent roof, exterior porches, improved sightlines, and a community space. Construction on the stadium is expected to begin in early to mid-2024 and be completed in 2027.

Tampa Bay Rays partner with Hines for new MLB stadium development in St. Petersburg

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Hines was announced as the developer of a new 8 million-square-foot mixed-use district and Major League Baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays this September. The stadium is a component of a larger $6.5 billion investment in the region that will see the development of 4,800 residential units, another 1,200 units of workforce housing, 600 senior residences, a 750-room hotel, 4,000-seat concert venue, and 1.4 million square feet worth of office space. Additionally, 50,000 square feet of civic space will be added, along with a minimum of 90,000 square feet of conference space. Construction on the project is expected to begin in late 2024.

Populous to design Beaver Stadium renovation for Penn State

In October, Populous was chosen as the lead architect for a major renovation of Pennsylvania State University's historic Beaver Stadium. Barton Malow, AECOM Hunt, and Alexander Building Construction are joining the project as construction managers. The undertaking includes winterizing the entire stadium for year-round use, along with the addition of new executive suites and loge seating areas. The project will reportedly cost $700 million.

Gensler and Gilbane will revamp M&T Bank Stadium for the Baltimore Ravens

Another major renovation project announced earlier this month includes work on the Baltimore Ravens' M&T Bank Stadium by Gensler and Gilbane Building Company. Stadium enhancements include the addition of social spaces, club experiences, dining, and the expansion of its concourse and plaza areas. A year-round entertainment zone will be established, along with two new pro shops and a Ravens history exhibit. Various infrastructure improvements around the site will be included, as well. The project will be carried out between 2024 and 2026.

Be sure to follow Archinect's special End of the Year coverage by following the tag 2023 Year In Review to stay up to date.