Changing the Game: Meet Dan Meis
In this Changing the Game blog series, we dive into the creative minds shaping the future of stadium and arena design; exploring how they elevate the fan experience, drive commercial revenue growth, and bring new life to communities.
Dan Meis is Director of Global Sports Design. Recognized as one of the world’s leading innovators in sports and entertainment architecture, Dan brings almost 40 years of experience designing some of the most prominent stadiums, ballparks and arenas across the globe for some of the worlds’ most recognizable sports teams.
Tell us a bit about yourself – your role and career journey.
My career in architecture has uniquely focused on sports venues, though it didn’t start that way. I began in Chicago at Helmut Jahn’s office designing big, complex buildings. Later, I learned of Kansas City’s unusual concentration of firms designing stadiums and arenas — starting when a firm there created a renowned sports complex. This inspired me to move to Kansas City, where I joined Ellerbe Becket, a leader in arena design at the time.
Since then, I’ve run my own sports architecture practice and worked internationally on projects in China, Japan, Italy and the UK, deepening my expertise in the sector over decades. Recently, I joined AECOM bringing my team with me to build a global sports design practice and bring my career full circle.
My career in architecture has uniquely focused on sports venues.
Talk to us about a project that has impacted or been a major highlight of your career. How is it solving the challenges and issues our clients and communities are facing today?
One of the most impactful projects of my career has been the design of the new stadium for Everton Football Club, a Premier League soccer team with a deeply rooted history in Liverpool. Their previous stadium at Goodison Park had been their home for over 135 years, and their fans have a multi-generational attachment to it. Being chosen as an American architect was unexpected, but we knew we had to design a stadium that the fans could feel deeply connected to, despite it being located in a different part of the city. We gained the trust of the fans, actively involving them throughout the design process, using social media to share our sketches and invite feedback in a collaborate and engaging way. This interaction transformed me into a true fan of the Club.
The challenges faced by Everton Football Club were significant, their old stadium limited their ability to compete financially with larger clubs in the Premier League. Their new Everton Stadium will be a critical revenue source, essential for the Club’s future success. Located in a former UNESCO World Heritage Site at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool, the design needed to honor the city’s heritage and integrate seamlessly into the local context, going beyond just a football stadium to become a new landmark for the area.
The project combines urban regeneration with sustainability and economic impact, creating a lasting legacy for Liverpool and Everton fans. It’s a building that not only serves the team and fans but also revitalizes and benefits the whole community.
One of the most impactful projects of my career has been the design of the new stadium for Everton Football Club… Their new Everton Stadium will be a critical revenue source, essential for the Club’s future success.
How do you manage the balance between fan experience and sustainability when it comes to sports stadia architecture?
Balancing fan experience and sustainability in sports stadiums is a challenge, but it’s one the industry is beginning to address more seriously. AECOM’s recent work at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California is a great example of how sustainable practices can be integrated into sports architecture. It is designed to be the first carbon-neutral venue from opening day.
Sports buildings, especially outdoor stadiums can be tough to make sustainable given the resources they require and their often limited usage. But the industry is evolving. Owners and architects alike are now much more focused on sustainability, from using recycled materials to managing waste effectively. One idea we’re currently exploring is developing stadium seating made from recycled ocean plastics and many owners are now considering more sustainable choices like recyclable cups and even renewable energy generation.
Sustainable measures don’t detract from fan experience; they enhance it by aligning with fans’ values and the clubs’ cultural identities. With forward-thinking clients, sustainable and regenerative design can enrich sports architecture without compromising the thrill of the game.
Sustainable measures don’t detract from fan experience; they enhance it by aligning with fans’ values and the clubs’ cultural identities.
What are some of the emerging trends or design concepts that will redefine the way we experience sports venues in the future?
A few key trends come to mind, starting with video technology, which has become ubiquitous in sports venues. Intuit Dome’s large halo scoreboard, for example, marks a first for arena design and showcases how screens are now central to the experience. This aligns with the shift in how people consume sports and entertainment today, where fans often have their devices in hand, watching live events while keeping up with other games or sharing moments on social media. New innovations such as touchless concessions, facial recognition and grab-and-go options also enable quick, hassle-free experiences, while opening new revenue streams through enhanced sponsor engagement.
There’s also a growing desire from many owners to expand their existing stadia rather than build new ones. One of my current projects in the US includes the addition of an entertainment center to an existing stadium. This additional layer not only provides additional capacity but also additional revenue generation opportunities in a cost-effective and clever way while allowing us to keep the stadium semi-operational or reduce closure time during construction.
Another emerging trend that’s less about the facilities is that these buildings are no longer standalone structures like they once were. They’ve shifted to become integral parts of the urban landscape, forming entertainment districts that contribute to urban regeneration. Unlike the isolated stadiums of past decades, these spaces are designed to stay active year-round, drawing visitors for more than just game days. This not only maximizes sustainability but also turns sports venues into vibrant community hubs that generate ongoing economic impact. Together, these trends mark a new era of highly interactive, sustainable, and community-focused stadiums that I’m proud AECOM is at the forefront of.
New innovations such as touchless concessions, facial recognition and grab-and- go options also enable quick, hassle-free experiences, while opening new revenue streams through enhanced sponsor engagement.
Banner image credit: Mark Thomas