en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mark Williams, FAIA, Global Director of Venues at HKS, recently detailed the technical challenges of converting NFL stadiums into venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in an interview with Urban Land magazine. This summer, the United States will co-host the world's premier sporting event with Mexico and Canada, and Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, are undergoing massive preparations.
SoFi Stadium will host eight World Cup matches, while AT&T Stadium will host nine, making it the venue with the most matches in North America. As the designer of both stadiums, HKS stated that major international events such as the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics were factored into the initial design. Key renovations include installing a natural turf system, reconfiguring premium seating areas, and adjusting building infrastructure to meet FIFA standards for field dimensions, media operations, fan experience, and player facilities.
Converting NFL stadiums into soccer venues presents unique challenges. Williams explained that North American stadiums are designed to bring front-row seats as close to the field as possible, resulting in field walls being closer than in traditional soccer venues, with corner areas requiring extra space. Both SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium have suites in their corner areas that must be modified to meet size requirements.
The natural turf system is a core challenge of the renovation. Williams noted that a tray system, approximately two to three feet (slightly less than one meter) deep, must be installed above the concrete slab, containing grass, soil, and sand, along with irrigation and airflow systems. Additionally, a grow-light system must be installed: at SoFi Stadium, the grow lights are pushed out and moved across the field during the day, while at AT&T Stadium, the lights are permanently suspended from above and visible to fans. He stated that installing the natural turf system and ensuring all requirements are met is the most critical part of World Cup preparations.
Beyond the field, other areas also require modifications. FIFA has provided a list of required spaces, including security medical zones, VIP lounges, and media dining areas, which SoFi and AT&T can accommodate due to their sufficient square footage. AT&T Stadium secured nearly $300 million in renovation funding before the event to redesign suites, upgrade club areas, and implement new finishes and technology. Williams also drew a parallel between World Cup preparations and the 2028 Olympics, which SoFi Stadium will host, noting that both events require the same level of security, crowd management, and broadcast infrastructure. For the Olympics, an Olympic-sized swimming pool will be built on the same concrete slab that serves as the base for the World Cup turf tray. The design goal is for the stadium to appear purpose-built for each event.
Regarding the selection of two HKS-designed buildings as World Cup venues, Williams stated that the impact extends beyond the 65,000 to 80,000 spectators inside the stadiums, reaching millions of television viewers worldwide. Seeing global audiences enter and watch these designs on screen is an invaluable experience.
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