Sporting KC co-founder Cliff Illig to headline panel at KU exhibition closing event

A visitor examines large presentation boards displaying stadium design concepts, site plans, renderings and architectural diagrams as part of the Shaping the Future of Football exhibition at Keystone CoLAB. The boards feature student work exploring soccer stadium architecture, urban design, fan experience and sports venue development, with detailed drawings, aerial views and digital visualizations covering an exhibition wall.
A visitor reviews student design proposals at the “Shaping the Future of Football” exhibition at Keystone CoLAB in Kansas City. The exhibition features KU School of Architecture & Design projects exploring stadium architecture, urban development and the future of the fan experience through design and technology. Photo credit: KU School of Architecture & Design

Thu, 08/13/2026

author

Dan Rolf

LAWRENCE — “Shaping the Future of Football,” an exhibition presented by the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design and the Keystone Innovation District, remains on view at Keystone CoLAB in Kansas City, Missouri, through Aug. 21. The exhibition will conclude with a public closing event featuring the KC Sports Impact Panel.

The panel will feature Cliff Illig, principal owner and co-founder of Sporting Kansas City. Illig will share his perspective on Kansas City’s role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the unique opportunities and global exposure the tournament brought to the region, and how the event will continue to shape the future of sports, entertainment and economic development in Kansas City. His remarks will offer attendees a firsthand look at the city's growing international profile and its long-term vision as a premier destination for world-class sporting events.

Timed with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, “Shaping the Future of Football” explores the intersection of architecture, technology and soccer while highlighting Kansas City's influence on sports venue design around the world. All 16 of the tournament’s host stadiums have direct ties to Kansas City-based firms or KU architecture and design alumni, underscoring the region’s international impact.

The exhibition features approximately 30 digitally fabricated stadium models, including all 2026 FIFA World Cup venues, alongside urban data visualizations and soccer-focused student work from KU's Sports & Leisure, Interaction Design, DesignBuild and Visual Communication studios.

Highlights include 17 capstone projects focused on stadium design, redevelopment and fan experience, as well as interactive technology concepts and branding work for a future professional women's soccer team.

Details for the closing event:

Aug. 21
Keystone CoLAB
800 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108

  • 4:30 p.m.: Doors open
  • 5:45 p.m.: KC Sports Impact Panel featuring Cliff Illig, principal owner and co-founder of Sporting Kansas City, discussing Kansas City’s World Cup opportunity and the future of sports in the region
  • 6:30 p.m.: Happy Hour Reception

The exhibition is supported by AMPERE, Buildex, DLR Group, Gensler, Goodwill, HDR, HNTB, HOK, Insperity, Kiewit, Populous and Turner Construction.

Thu, 08/13/2026

author

Dan Rolf

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Dan Rolf

Architecture & Design

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