From Wired Glass to the Glass Gridiron: Glazing Makes Modern Stadiums Possible
Glass is essential for today’s stadium designs
When I started at Technical Glass Products over 20 years ago, I started to look at buildings, structures and glass differently. I had a new appreciation for curtainwalls, storefronts and engineered glass walls. My wife had to ask me to stop pointing out wired glass that was installed in safety-rated locations prior to changes in the International Building Code.
Obviously, I learned all about fire-rated ceramics, protected openings, resistive assemblies and the portfolio of products that TGP offers. However, I also started to read more of our industry publications: Glass Magazine, Architectural Record, Architect, Architizer, etc.
As always, you naturally gravitate to projects that you’re interested in regardless of whether there are fire-rated requirements or not. As a sports fan, the renovation and construction of sport venues always caught my interest, and there was plenty of activity in Seattle. The Kingdome was recently imploded, Safeco field, now T-Mobile, was brand new and Seahawks stadium was under construction. The evolution of the modern professional and university stadiums continues to impress as they improve the entertainment experience. Luxury suites as well as the ability to host multiple sports, concerts and events with modern amenities have added to the experience (and the price of tickets).
A quick tour of modern stadiums
A few years ago at GlassBuild in Atlanta, I was fortunate enough to tour the home of the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United FC, Mercedez Benz stadium, which opened in 2017. Like it, other new NFL stadiums continue to impress with new and innovative features. The newest stadium usually makes a case to host the upcoming Superbowl. Currently, those are SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, both completed in 2020. Per CostructionDive, there are five NFL teams pursuing stadium plans.
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Washington Commanders – FedEx field was built to replace the historic RFK stadium in 1997. I have watched several games where the wet turf was the subject of the broadcast. Initial renderings of the new facility show a glass roof, which would solve this issue.
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Cleveland Browns – Replacing the building from 1999 known as “the mistake on the lake” with a taller, enclosed and reconfigurable building will anchor a mixed-use development plan.
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Tennessee Titans – About halfway completed, the new stadium, which also features a roof enclosure, will replace the older one, originally constructed in 1999 for the now relocated Houston Oilers.
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Chicago Bears – The replacement of the original Soldier Field that opened in 1924 has hopes of bidding to host the 2031 Super Bowl. The last renovation of Soldier Field was in 2023, but it sounds like the stadium is moving out of downtown Chicago.
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Jacksonville Jaguars - Despite what many say, this is not the renovated Gator Bowl, one of the great old college bowl stadiums. In 1994 construction began; the old 1949 stadium was mostly torn down. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium was constructed to house the Jags and is on track to open in August 2028.
Stadiums offer a big stage for advanced glass technology
These and other new stadiums continue to use more and more innovative glass systems. The US Bank Stadium, constructed in 2016 for the Minnesota Vikings, was my first introduction into bird-friendly glass. Built on the Metrodome site, it features a unique exterior design with a bow aimed toward downtown and stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline from end-zone windows. The huge windows and translucent roof are designed to bring in the sunshine no matter how cold the outside temperature.
There are several other NFL stadiums incorporating advanced glass technologies like sliding or stacking glass doors. For instance, the MetLife Stadium (New York Giants and New York Jets) features large stacking glass door systems that create an opening from the broadcast booth to provide clear views regardless of weather conditions. Likewise, the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina utilizes expansive stacking glass wall systems not just for weather protection but also to improve aesthetics, seating and security.
Other stadiums use glass for purposes other than transparency and views. The Levi's Stadium in San Francisco incorporates both advanced glass systems to mitigate solar heat gain and a "glass to glass" 4K content system for a cutting-edge design. Offering a more subtle approach to glass-use, Ford Field’s frosted glass windows pay homage to Detroit's industrial heritage.
No gridiron without glass
If anyone watched Hard Knocks this summer, they saw into the Buffalo Bills new Highmark Stadium, scheduled to open for the 2026 NFL Season. This project features extensive glazing systems that work with concrete and steel systems to help the stadium stand up to one of the most unforgiving climates in the league.
Highmark Stadium and the other new projects prove the essentialness of glass for today’s state-of-the-art stadium design, no matter where the goal line is. The versatility and strength of today’s glazing technology packs a hard-hitting wow factor that contributes both to the performance and aesthetics of these venues.
Whether you are attending a game in person or watching one on TV, keep an eye out for any of these glass technologies and how they enhance your experience—you might be surprised with what’s there.
