As the daughter of an architect, I have judged every space I walk into since I was old enough to reach a door knob. Combining that with my job as a sports writer, I love a well-designed stadium and take in every element.
While I admire good taste and quality materials, what matters most to me in those arenas is how easily I can access my seat, how intuitive the layout is for my sightline, how cleverly they’ve set up concessions and merch and whether I can make it to the ladies’ room and back without aging a decade.
Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with architects, design firms, industry insiders and fans to understand what it means to design stadiums with women in mind. Turns out the common thread — from turnstiles to bathrooms, from food courts to shower cubbies for athletes — is that those in charge are starting to think more intentionally about how to create spaces that cater to women, both on the field and off.
In the NWSL, Kansas City Current’s CPKC Stadium marks a major milestone as the first purpose-built venue for a women’s team in the league and a bold bet that a women’s club can deliver a return on investment.
While the stadium wasn’t designed to be different simply because it’s for women, the intention was to build it to the same professional standards as any top-tier men’s venue, and it still reflects a deep consideration for women who use it. From women-specific locker rooms to sensory spaces and breastfeeding facilities for the fans, the design adds a thoughtful layer of creativity, exploring how a stadium can function and feel when women are considered equally.
