Gensler Strengthens Global Sports Vision With High-Impact Leadership Additions

The firm deepens its investment in sports design, expanding its presence in key hubs to accelerate the growth of one of its fastest-rising practice areas worldwide.

September 09, 2025 — Gensler, the world’s most impactful architecture and design firm, today announced a strategic expansion of its leading Global Sports Practice. With the sports marketplace projected to hit $508 billion this year and reach $635 billion by 2029, the firm has appointed three new leaders in key markets to support its mission to reimagine what sports architecture can achieve around the world – from game day to every day in between.

Gensler welcomes Trevor Bechtold and Chris DeVolder to its Kansas City office, and Edward Mills to its San Francisco office. The trio brings a combined 65 years of experience and a powerful range of creative perspectives on designing for impact, informed by their dynamic careers in professional and collegiate athletics:

• Bechtold specializes in performance-driven design, with a focus on the collegiate sports landscape and an expanding reach into professional arenas. He is particularly passionate about athlete regeneration and whole-athlete support, shaping environments that foster excellence and long-term well-being.
• DeVolder is a leader in sustainable sports design, with deep expertise in next-generation soccer venues and training facilities. He is recognized for creating innovative, community-centered environments that set new benchmarks for teams and the future of the game.
• Mills offers a player-centric perspective in the design of collegiate and professional sports facilities. His work emphasizes athlete readiness and holistic wellness, delivering spaces that strengthen both individual players and the organizations they represent.

Working collaboratively with Gensler’s practices in hospitality, retail, health and wellness, urban planning, digital experience, and brand design, Bechtold, DeVolder and Mills will accelerate the firm’s position as a top global design partner at the intersection of sports, culture, and community. Together they bring complementary strengths that will further propel the practice into a new era – where women’s pro leagues, the commercialization of college athletics, and emerging trends from pickleball to e-sports are reshaping communities and redefining the role of sports as city anchors.

“The role of sports in shaping our cities and communities has never been more powerful or dynamic,” said Jordan Goldstein, Gensler co-CEO. “By expanding the leadership of Gensler’s Sports Practice, we’re doubling down on our ability to support clients as they go beyond delivering stadiums and facilities to create truly immersive experiences that unite fans, empower teams and elevate entire cities. Our ability to fuse local insight with global talent sets us apart as we work to deliver complex projects that perform on and off the field. This next chapter for the practice reflects the future of sports: innovative, inclusive and designed for the full human experience.”

Gensler’s Sports Practice has accelerated in recent years, marked by the launch of its centers of excellence in Kansas City, Austin, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. where the team is leading marquee projects including the Al-Ahly Stadium in Cairo; the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center; Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.; the Cincinnati Open; Lincoln Financial Field, home to the Philadelphia Eagles; the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams Village and the Phoenix Mercury Training Facility, among others.

“Collegiate sports are steeped in tradition but evolving fast — and design must keep pace. I’m passionate about creating environments that elevate performance, support the whole athlete, and strengthen campus identity. At Gensler, I’m excited to extend this work into professional sports, shaping facilities that inspire both athletes and the communities they serve,” said Bechtold.

“Joining Gensler is an incredible opportunity to help shape the future of soccer and training facilities on a global stage. I’m inspired by the chance to design venues that go beyond the game itself — creating sustainable, community-driven places that leave a lasting impact,” said DeVolder.

“Having lived the athlete experience, I approach every project with a deep understanding of what these spaces demand, not just functionally, but emotionally. My goal is to fuse performance, sustainability, and Gensler’s global reach in a way that elevates both players and fans worldwide,” said Mills.

About Gensler

At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.

About Gensler Sports

Gensler Sports has grown into the world’s second-largest Sports Practice, partnering with clients to shape the next generation of sports and entertainment venues. The team helps organizations deliver exceptional experiences for fans and athletes, activate communities, and drive long-term value through innovative design that integrates technology, service, and amenities. With deep local insight and global expertise, Gensler has led iconic projects such the Los Angeles Chargers Headquarters and Training Facility, New York Mets’ Citi Field, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and BMO Stadium.