If you’ve ever visited the Twin Cities, you’ve felt it. A warm smile from someone on the street. The local who says hello and takes a genuine interest in how your trip is going. “Minnesota Nice,” some call it. We like to think of it in terms of old-fashioned hospitality. It’s a high bar to clear, but Allianz Field’s interior spaces do just that, making fans feel welcome and comfortable, both before and after they stroll through the gates.
Once fans arrive at Allianz Field and enter through the premium club entrance on the west side, they are greeted by a friendly attendant in the bright and open lobby. A beautiful walnut staircase winds up all four stories and ties the premium clubs and suites together. Lining the staircase wall on each level are hundreds of portraits. Each painted face belongs to an international soccer fan and serves as a joyful reminder of the beautiful game’s global reach.
Level with the field and nestled below the seating bowl and concourse, the Field Club brings fans up close and personal to players as they walk through the space on their way to the field and back to the locker room. Club members use the same entrance as the team to access their seats along the midfield line in the lower bowl.
As fans enter the club space, they are first greeted by friendly MNUFC hosts standing behind or next to the customized desk created by British artist Chris Duffey. Its depth and detail creates a geological connection to Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes.
The Field Club’s signature interior design feature is a flowing ceiling that draws inspiration from the stadium’s iconic exterior skin. Backlit by LED lights, it is programmed to a variety of moods. Warm tan leather and walnut accents below are highlighted by custom rugs inspired by topographic maps of Minnesota’s numerous lakes. Large communal tables and long sectional furniture reinforce the sense of comfort and shared space.
Allianz Field’s interior spaces tell distinct design stories while making Minnesota United FC Loons fans feel welcome. The latest soccer-specific venue demonstrates how stadiums of all shapes and sizes offer each ticket holder a premium level of hospitality. It connects back to its roots in the community, the welcoming Minnesota culture, and the communal sport of soccer.
View additional submissions in the Club Spaces category for ALSD Spotlight 2019.