M&T Bank Stadium

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

M&T Bank Stadium enters a new era, transforming underused spaces into bold, immersive destinations that elevate Ravens fandom and connect the venue to Baltimore.

Location

Baltimore, Maryland

Client

Maryland Stadium Authority

Expertise

Sports [FPO] Live Performance Venues [FPO] Architecture

Opportunity

A celebrated stadium needed to evolve beyond traditional gameday expectations while preserving its identity, creating new business opportunities, and serving Baltimore’s passionate fan community.

Since opening in 1998, M&T Bank Stadium has been recognized for fan-friendly amenities, but changing expectations raised the bar for NFL venues. The Maryland Stadium Authority and Ravens needed to create more compelling destinations across ticket levels without replacing the existing stadium. As a state-funded renovation, the project also had to balance budget, procurement, operations, and compressed offseason schedules. The opportunity was to turn underused press, service, and subterranean areas into premium social spaces that could deepen loyalty, generate revenue, and support the stadium’s long-term role in Baltimore.

Why This Matters

01
Fan Loyalty
The Ravens’ identity is inseparable from The Flock, making an authentic, unmistakably Baltimore experience essential to deepening loyalty, pride, and reinforcing home-field advantage.
02
Long-term Value
The renovation needed to create new revenue-generating destinations within the existing footprint, helping the stadium remain competitive while extending its relevance beyond traditional gamedays and events.
03
Community Destination
M&T Bank Stadium had an opportunity to become more than a football venue, supporting year-round gatherings and contributing to Baltimore’s evolving entertainment district and civic identity.

FPO Quote

Solution

The design channels The Flock’s edge, disruption, and boldness into distinct hospitality environments, turning overlooked stadium spaces into memorable destinations.

Gensler repurposed legacy press areas, service zones, and unexcavated space to create five premium clubs and suites, each with a distinct identity tied together by shared materials, sightlines, and wayfinding. Blackwing transforms former press areas into a 50-yard-line speakeasy with expanded structure, hospitality, and dedicated bars. Field-level clubs carve new end-zone terraces below the existing bowl. The Miller Lite Gatehouse extends the experience beyond the stadium interior with a two-level beer hall and rooftop deck inspired by Baltimore’s rooftop culture, architecture, and skyline.

From brief to build: how the team balanced state-funded requirements, compressed offseason windows, phased construction, procurement, and continuous stadium operations through close collaboration.

The team delivered construction documents on compressed timelines and phased work across two offseason windows. Blackwing required relocating press operations, extending the floorplate, and infilling the slab with new structure to support dedicated kitchen, bar, and lounge spaces. At field level, selective bowl demolition and below-grade excavation created open end-zone terraces. Because the existing bowl lacked waterproofing, the team introduced a reverse-roof drainage assembly to create a durable envelope. Frequent in-person charrettes helped coordinate design, procurement, operations, and staffing requirements.

Impact

The transformation gives Ravens fans more ways to gather, celebrate, and experience the stadium, strengthening its role as a year-round Baltimore destination.

New premium clubs, field-level environments, and the Miller Lite Gatehouse create varied social experiences that extend fan engagement from pregame through postgame and beyond.

What Changed Because of This

01
Fan Experience
Fans gain more hospitality choices, immersive club environments, diverse seating, and spaces designed around the intensity and pride of The Flock.
02
Year-round Activation
The Miller Lite Gatehouse supports sports, entertainment, and private events, extending the stadium’s value beyond football and creating a more active destination.
03
Baltimore Identity
Local materials, rooftop traditions, architectural references, and Ravens branding create an experience that feels distinctly connected to Baltimore and its culture.

Recognition

01

The New York Times

Baltimore’s growth was spotlighted through the “pivotal” $1 billion redevelopment of Harborplace, with Gensler Managing Director Vaki Mawema discussing plans to transform the waterfront and improve the pedestrian experience.

02

Sports Business Journal

M&T Bank Stadium’s $430 million renovation was spotlighted for Gensler’s design of three new premium fan spaces as part of the stadium’s three-year transformation.

03

Archinect

Renderings revealed Gensler and Gilbane Building Company’s plans for a major renovation of M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens.

Team

Project Leadership

Ryan Sickman

Sports Leader, Principal

Vaki Mawema

Vaki is a co-leader of the Baltimore office. He is a coach and a mentor who helps to ensure the borderless connectivity of Gensler’s global talent. His leadership has created an enterprising workplace culture that embodies creative passion, design excellence, exceptional client service, with a focus on growth, leadership, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.

[FPO] Jeffrey Moaney

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[FPO] Lisa Cholmondeley

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FAQ

01

Where’s M&T Bank Stadium located?

M&T Bank Stadium is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and serves as the home of the Baltimore Ravens.

02

Who designed the M&T Bank Stadium renovation?

Gensler designed the multi-phased renovation in collaboration with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Baltimore Ravens.

03

What areas were renovated?

The project includes premium clubs and suites, field-level end-zone environments, suite corridors, media boxes, concourses, and the Miller Lite Gatehouse.

04

How does the renovation improve the fan experience?

The renovation provides more hospitality options, diverse seating, immersive social spaces, improved amenities, and destinations for fans across ticket levels.

05

How does the project connect to Baltimore?

The design draws from Baltimore’s architecture, industrial character, rooftop culture, local craftsmanship, and the distinctive identity of Ravens fans.

06

Can the renovated spaces be used beyond gamedays?

The Miller Lite Gatehouse and other hospitality spaces support sports, entertainment, celebrations, corporate gatherings, and private events, helping activate the stadium throughout the year.

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Related Expertise

Sports Live Performance Venues Architecture

M&T Bank Stadium enters a new era, transforming underused spaces into bold, immersive destinations that elevate Ravens fandom and connect the venue to Baltimore.

A celebrated stadium needed to evolve beyond traditional gameday expectations while preserving its identity, creating new business opportunities, and serving Baltimore’s passionate fan community.

Why This Matters

The design channels The Flock’s edge, disruption, and boldness into distinct hospitality environments, turning overlooked stadium spaces into memorable destinations.

From brief to build: how the team balanced state-funded requirements, compressed offseason windows, phased construction, procurement, and continuous stadium operations through close collaboration.

The transformation gives Ravens fans more ways to gather, celebrate, and experience the stadium, strengthening its role as a year-round Baltimore destination.

What Changed Because of This