STADIUM PROJECT NEWS
Kansas City proposes $600M incentive package for Royals downtown ballpark
Kansas City officials have introduced a plan to provide $600 million in public funding to help build a proposed $1.9 billion downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals, part of a broader effort to keep the MLB team in Missouri. The proposal would finance the city’s share through bonds while negotiations continue on a long-term lease and development agreement for a stadium district near Union Station. Read more here.
Toyota Center renovation gets $180M green light
Houston officials have approved a $180 million renovation of the Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, with construction scheduled to begin after the 2025–26 season and run through 2027. The project includes a 20,000-square-foot glass atrium, upgraded premium spaces, and infrastructure improvements, including enhanced fiber, broadcast, and connectivity systems, to modernize the arena for major events and touring productions. Read more here.
Commanders Stadium clears planning hurdle as parking debate continues
Federal planners have given preliminary approval to the Washington Commanders’ proposed 65,000-seat stadium redevelopment at the former RFK Stadium site, a key step toward a venue targeted to open around 2030. However, officials and community members continue to debate the scale of the project’s planned 11-story parking garages and roughly 8,000 parking spaces, which critics say could overshadow the stadium’s design and impact the surrounding neighborhood. Read more here.
Brook Park seeks pre-development deal to advance Browns stadium project
Officials in Brook Park, Ohio, are considering a pre-development agreement with the Cleveland Browns that would help move forward plans for a new domed stadium targeted to open by the 2029 season. Under the proposal, a Browns affiliate would provide about $24.8 million to the city to cover startup and infrastructure costs, including public safety and traffic systems, as negotiations continue on a broader development agreement for the estimated $2.6 billion stadium project. Read more here.
STADIUM BUSINESS NEWS
Fanatics and AT&T strike a five-year partnership around connectivity and fan engagement
Fanatics and AT&T have signed a five-year strategic partnership naming the telecom giant the company’s “Official Connectivity Provider,” with plans to integrate connectivity, loyalty perks, and digital engagement across Fanatics’ platforms and events, potentially extending to in-venue wireless experiences at major sports events and fan festivals. Read more here.
Nubank takes over naming rights at Palmeiras’ Allianz Parque
Brazilian digital bank Nubank has reached a long-term agreement to assume naming rights to Allianz Parque, the home stadium of Brazilian football club Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. The deal with stadium operator WTorre is reported to run through 2044 and could be worth about R$51 million (US$10 million) per year, replacing the long-running Allianz naming partnership. Read more here.
UFL expansion team to play in Oklahoma City’s new MAPS 4 Stadium
The United Football League has agreed to place an expansion team in Oklahoma City beginning in 2028, with the club set to play at the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium currently under development. The roughly 10,000-seat venue, part of a broader downtown sports and entertainment district, will also host soccer and other events when it opens in 2028. Read more here.
