Populous designs heart-shaped gateway for Kansas City World Cup fan zone

Architecture studio Populous has created a heart-shaped gateway for the official FIFA Fan Festival in Kansas City, located on the south lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The pop-up area will operate for 18 days during the 2026 World Cup, featuring a large LED screen, stage, and temporary pavilions with lounge and memorabilia spaces. The 65-foot-tall red gateway, called the KC Heart, symbolizes the city's welcoming spirit. Performances by the Chainsmokers are scheduled, but the stage's primary function is screening all matches during festival hours. Entry is free but may be capacity-limited. Populous has a 30-year relationship with FIFA and has designed several World Cup stadiums and facilities, including the Compass Minerals National Performance Center used by Argentina as a training base in Kansas City. Other fan zones have opened across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with controversies emerging in New Jersey over train ticket prices to the final venue, New York New Jersey Stadium. Vancouver's Science World dome has been covered in a Trionda match ball motif for the event.