KU exhibition explores global impact of sports design ahead of 2026 World Cup
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design will present “Shaping the Future of Football,” an exhibition exploring the intersection of design, technology and soccer, developed in partnership with Kansas City, Missouri’s Keystone Innovation District. An opening event will take place June 10 at Keystone CoLAB in the East Crossroads district, with the public portion opening at 6 p.m.
Timed with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the exhibition highlights Kansas City’s role as a global leader in sports architecture. Twelve of the tournament’s 16 host stadiums have direct ties to Kansas City-based design firms or alumni of KU’s architecture program, underscoring the region’s international impact.
“Shaping the Future of Football” examines football as a holistic ecosystem — from the urban scale of stadium infrastructure to the design of fan experience — through interdisciplinary work produced in KU studios, including Sports & Leisure, DesignBuild, Interaction Design and Visual Communication.
Visitors will encounter approximately 30 physical models of stadiums from around the world, including all 2026 World Cup venues. Produced using digital fabrication technologies, the models are paired with 3D urban data visualizations derived from spatial analytics research, revealing how stadiums are situated within and shape their surrounding cities.
The exhibition features 17 capstone projects from KU’s Sports & Leisure Studio, representing several years of student research and design. Projects include an award-winning proposal for a new Chicago Fire stadium, a retrofit study of Serra Dourada Stadium in Brazil and a comprehensive design proposal for a future National Women’s Soccer League stadium and entertainment district in Atlanta.
Complementing these works, students in KU’s Interaction Design Studio present projects that explore how emerging technologies are transforming connections between athletes and spectators. These include wearable devices that capture real-time performance data and interactive stadium interfaces that translate data into fan engagement. The Visual Communication Studio contributes a complete brand identity system for a future professional women’s soccer team in Atlanta.
The exhibition is organized around a monumental thin-shell concrete structure, emphasizing the central role of architecture in shaping the fan experience.
“Keystone’s mission is to build a community-first ecosystem where Kansas City’s builders, makers and innovators can connect, collaborate and create the work that shapes the region’s future," said Kevin McGinnis, president and CEO of the Keystone Innovation District. “Keystone is honored to align with the KU School of Architecture & Design to celebrate the local design talent and global influence that exist right here in Kansas City.”
The exhibition is made possible through the support of event sponsors, including AMPERE, Buildex, DLR Group, Gensler, Goodwill, HDR, HNTB, HOK, Insperity, Kiewit, Populous and Turner Construction. Goodwill has donated the Keystone CoLAB space, where the exhibition is being held.
An opening event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., following a 4 to 6 p.m. event hosted by the International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City. The opening will include presentations by KU faculty and Ashley Loch, creative director at Dimensional Innovations and a KU alumna.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
EVENT DETAILS
“Shaping the Future of Football” exhibition opening event
June 10
Keystone CoLAB
800 E. 18th St, Kansas City, Missouri
4-6 p.m.: International Trade Council event
6-8 p.m.: Public exhibition opening and presentations.