MLS headquarters redesigned as immersive soccer stadium experience
TPG Architecture transforms office space with pitch-inspired dynamics for Major League Soccer
1Concept origins
The 'office as stadium' concept emerged from direct feedback collected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber from players, coaches, and long-time employees. TPG Architecture translated these insights into physical spaces that mirror soccer's energy. The design specifically incorporates elements like player tunnels and technical areas to create workplace immersion. This approach coincides with MLS's 30th anniversary and the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.
2Entry sequence
Visitors enter through an elevator bay designed as a player tunnel, clad in custom mesh resembling goalie nets. LED walls and ceiling screens display dynamic branding content for clubs and sponsors. The tunnel leads to a double-height lobby with a grand staircase, creating a dramatic arrival sequence. This spatial journey mirrors the anticipation of players entering a stadium pitch.
3Branded artifacts
The reception area features a wall of team jerseys on one side and the MLS Championship Cup displayed on a pedestal on the other. These elements serve as physical manifestations of league history and achievements. Digital LED banners lining the staircase display player images and branding, creating vertical movement reminiscent of stadium seating tiers. The space blends physical memorabilia with digital displays.
4Midfield hub
The grand staircase connects to various communal spaces collectively termed 'Midfield', including meditation rooms, wellness areas, and coffee bars. This central gathering space mimics stadium concourses where fans interact. A bottom-floor cafe and technical support area adopt dugout-style configurations, directly referencing coaching areas during matches. The layout encourages spontaneous employee interactions.
5Material storytelling
TPG used bold 'grass green' and 'MLS-blue' cobalt tones throughout furniture and accents. Conference rooms feature primarily grey carpeting with integrated screens, balancing corporate needs with athletic references. Working floors combine patterned carpets with functional desk units. A diagonal slash motif pulled from the MLS logo appears throughout, creating visual continuity.
6Technical integration
The design incorporates stadium-grade LED technology throughout, with programmable displays for branding and events. The IT technical corner adopts a dugout-style layout, directly referencing coaching areas during matches. Lighting systems simulate stadium atmospheres, adjustable for different events or times of day. These elements blend workplace functionality with sports venue dynamics.
7Design firm pedigree
TPG Architecture previously designed headquarters for the NHL in Manhattan and an advertising agency in North Carolina. Their sports portfolio demonstrates expertise in translating organizational culture into physical environments. The MLS project represents their most comprehensive stadium-to-office translation to date. The studio's approach focuses on narrative-driven spatial experiences.
8Cultural timing
The headquarters opened during a period of surging cultural momentum for soccer in North America, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The design captures MLS's growth from its 1996 founding post-1994 World Cup to becoming the primary football league in the US and Canada. This workplace serves as both functional office and physical manifestation of the league's evolving identity and ambitions.