With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming in June 2026, soccer fever is reaching a full pitch across the country, as stadium owners across Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the NCAA expand, renovate and reimagine their facilities. From louder supporter sections and pitch-perfect sightlines to premium, high-energy spaces that keep the crowd pressing forward, today’s stadium upgrades are designed to elevate matchday from kickoff to the final whistle.
“Soccer attracts one of the most passionate fan bases in sports, and stadium design is evolving to match that energy,” said Jon Chase, chief engineering officer for Sightline Commercial Solutions, a premier provider of staging and railing solutions. “The goal is to create environments that amplify the electric atmosphere while maintaining safety, comfort and flexibility for a wide range of spectators and events.”
Across the country, Sightline has partnered with teams and facility operators to optimize space utilization and profit potential with custom railing, seating and platform solutions engineered to meet the unique demands of modern stadium environments.
The largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S., GEODIS Park was designed to create an immersive environment for Nashville SC supporters. Among the highlights of the 30,000-seat venue is a dedicated supporter section equipped with 5,000 linear feet of custom engineered Standing Rail. The system features ergonomic lean rail and integrated flip-down bench seats that allow avid fans to comfortably stand or sit.
“Supporter sections are built for non-stop energy, so the infrastructure has to support constant movement and high-intensity crowds,” explained Chase. “Our Standing Rail helps venues create that standing-room atmosphere while affording the flexibility to accommodate fans who prefer—or need—the option to sit, along with the ability to cater to different event formats.”
As the first stadium built exclusively for a professional women’s sports team, CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., established a new benchmark for fan-focused design in the NWSL. Throughout suites, club areas and the standing supporter section, perforated drink rail, aluminum picket guardrail and aisle rail help support safety and durability while complementing the venue’s sleek, modern aesthetic. The result is a facility that balances the intimacy of a boutique stadium with the durability required for the high-intensity supporter culture Kansas City Current fans bring every match day.
Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium introduced new field-level premium seating that boosts capacity and elevates the fan experience for its packed schedule. Built on durable SC90 Clima-Core platforms, the modular section supports ultra-plush DreamSeat chairs embroidered with the Dynamos’ logo, offering an up-close vantage point for premium guests. Along the sidelines, padded aluminum architectural railing ensures safety without interrupting views, while coordinated installation of a perimeter LED ribbon board adds dynamic game updates, sponsor content and real-time stats.
At Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla., a section of previously underperforming seating on the lower level beneath the scoreboard was converted into a supporters-only section for the most devoted fans of Orlando’s men’s and women’s soccer teams.
“To help with conceptualization, we created a 3D rendering proposing a premium viewing space, dubbed ‘The Terrace,’ with wider access, luxurious swivel seats and personal tables—all with unobstructed field-level sightlines,” explained Chase. “These renovations enabled Inter&Co Stadium to ‘right-size’ its capacity, monetize previously underutilized space and provide fans with a truly unique VIP experience.”
At Husky Stadium, the University of Washington added a freestanding, two-tier camera platform designed to provide media with consistent, elevated sightlines from pitch level to the farthest corner. Independent of the surrounding seating bowl, the 30-foot structure includes SC90 Clima-Core platforms, durable Relia Beam framing, custom flip-down railings for camera access and precisely aligned cantilevered stairs. Built atop a challenging lakeside landfill, the project required careful coordination, on-site verification and adaptive engineering to manage differential settling between the platform and adjacent bleachers.
As the centerpiece of the Astor Park development in Columbus, Ohio, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field features more than 21,000 linear feet of custom railing, including a Seating Rail system engineered for the stadium’s 37-degree rake, which is one of the steepest fan sections in MLS. Integrated fold-down bench seats and a sturdy lean rail help keep the space’s 3,356 supporters secure while providing unobstructed views and efficient movement in and out of the section’s aisles.
To learn more about creative ways to strengthen supporter culture, upgrade fan safety and unlock new revenue-generating spaces before next season’s kickoff, visit www.sightlinecommercial.com.