Which US sports teams are planning to build new stadiums?

The projects, some of which are already underway and some of which are still at the planning stage, cost hundreds of millions and in some cases even billions of dollars.

Construction Briefing looks at those projects – whether it is American football or baseball - that have started recently and those that are in the pipeline across the US.

On the drawing board:

Chicago Bears

Preliminary masterplan vision of a Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights (Image: Chicago Bears)

American football team the Chicago Bears’ current home Soldier Field, built in 1924, is one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL, with limited premium seating options, concessions stands and event space compared to newer venues.

That’s why the Chicago Bears has paid nearly US$200 million for the former Arlington Park race track in Arlington Heights outside of Chicago as a possible site for a new stadium. The team had planned to build a domed stadium with a mixed-use entertainment district around it but negotiations with local officials stalled last year amid disagreements over public funding and property taxes. Demolition work on the race track’s grandstands and structures continues.

However, reports emerged late last year that the Bears are also considering building a new stadium on a parking lot next to its home of Soldier Field. https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-bears-soldier-field-news-arlington-heights/14151935/

While the Bears seem set on building a new stadium, the question of where it will be built continues.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Stadium of the Future

Conceptual design for a new Jacksonville Jaguars stadium (Image: Jacksonville Jaguars)

American football team the Jacksonville Jaguars unveiled conceptual designs for the ‘Stadium of the Future’ in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, in early 2023.

Discussions about a new stadium, which would have a base capacity of 62,000 started in 2016, with a formal process involving the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville to work towards a long-term stadium solution beginning in 2020.

Architecture practice HOK Sports was appointed on the project, while Aecom Hunt and Barton Malow have been serving in the role of preconstruction manager.

But as of the end of 2023, negotiations concerning the $1.4 billion venue between the City and the team were still underway.

Kansas City Royals

A digital render of how a new Kansas City Royals ballpark could look (Image: Kansas City Royals/Populous)

Baseball team the Kansas City Royals are considering two different possible locations for a new ballpark and entertainment district, one in East Village in downtown Kansas City and one in North Kansas City.

Whichever is chosen would replace the Kauffman Stadium opened in 1973, which lacks modern amenities seen in newer stadiums. The team unveiled digital renderings produced by architecture firm Populous in August last year, 

Either development would cost more than $2 billion, according to estimates, split between the stadium itself and the surrounding ballpark district. The team wants to establish a public-private partnership, extending a sales tax from Jackson County taxpayers used to maintain its existing home of the Truman Sports Complex.

The team had been due to settle on a location for the stadium by September last year, before completing it prior to Opening Day 2028, however at the time of writing it still hadn’t reached a decision.

Close to starting:

Oakland Athletics

A first rendering of the relocated Oakland Athletics stadium that is set to be built in Las Vegas, Nevada (Image: Oakland Athletics)

The Oakland A’s hired construction firm Mortenson-McCarthy to build a new ballpark in Las Vegas, after winning approval from Major League Baseball (MLB) owners last year to relocate from the Oakland Coliseum in California to the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.

The $1.5 billion stadium will have a 30,000-seat ballpark with a retractable roof and is scheduled to open in 2028.

The Nevada legislature approved $380 million in taxpayer funds towards a new ballpark last year. The team will pay for the balance, including any overruns. Construction is due to start next month (February).

Tampa Bay Rays

Digital render of the new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark (Image: Tampa Bay Rays)

Baseball team the Tampa Bay Rays looks set to build a new $1.3 billion ballpark after agreeing a deal with developer Hines and the City of St. Petersburg, Florida in September last year.

The new 30,000-capacity ballpark would involve the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant Site, with the team playing on Tropicana Field at the 86-acre site until the end of the 2027 season, while the new development is underway on the other half of the property.

Hines will invest more than $6.5 billion in St Petersburg over 20 years, creating a mixed use development of nearly 8 million sq ft, including affordable housing, a hotel and a Black history museum.

Construction is set to start in 2024, with Tropicana Field only being demolished once the new stadium is complete.

Tennessee Titans – New Nissan Stadium

Digital render of the New Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee (Image: Tennessee Titans)

Construction of the Tennessee Titans’ New Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, is set to start this year. Designed by Manica Architecture, the Tennessee Builders Alliance (a consortium of Aecom Hunt, Turner Construction, ICF Builders, and Polk & Associates) is delivering the new domed venue, which will have a capacity of 55,000-60,000.

The new stadium will replace the existing concrete-and-steel Nissan Stadium, built in 1999, after an assessment of its condition indicated that it would cost $1.75 billion - $1.95 billion to restore it to being a “first class” facility.

It will require $2.1 billion in funding, of which $840 million will come from the team, $500 million from the state of Tennessee and $760 million from bonds.

Already underway:

Buffalo Bills – New Highmark Stadium

A digital rendering of the new Buffalo Bills stadium (Image supplied by New York State)

A joint venture of Gilbane | Turner in association with 34 Group and Arc Building Partners are providing the construction management services for the Buffalo Bills’ new NFL stadium at Orchard Park. Populous has designed the stadium and Legends Project Development is also involved in the scheme.

Work on the project is reported to have risen from the original figure of $1.4bn to $1.7bn and involves the demolition of the current stadium and the construction of a new 60,000-seater venue with an expandable capacity to host special events.

The latest proposal releases for subcontracted works on the project can be found here: https://www.buffalobillsnewstadium.com/contracting-opportunities

New York and Erie County have committed to provide $850 million in funding for the project, which is due for completion in July 2026, in time for the start of the 2026 regular NFL season.