Kansas City, MO (October 10, 2024) – Sporting Kansas City, a two-time MLS Cup champion and leader in stadium innovation, will host the ‘Make48 49th hour pitch event’ on Thursday, October 24th. This event is a follow-up to the February "Stadium Experience" challenge hosted by Make48 and Project Lead The Way, where seven Missouri high school teams competed at UMKC to design the future of stadium experiences.
Six teams from the February competition will return to Kansas City to present refined prototypes of their innovative stadium concepts to a distinguished group that includes representatives from professional sports teams, construction companies, and investment groups.
“The 49th Hour Pitch event provides these young innovators with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their ingenuity to key decision-makers in the stadium industry," said Tom Gray, CEO of Make48. "This experience will provide invaluable feedback and potential partnerships to further develop their inventions."
The "Stadium Experience" challenge reflects the club's commitment to engaging its growing fanbase and fostering innovation within the sport. "As soccer's popularity continues to rise in the United States, we are dedicated to finding new and exciting ways to enhance the fan experience at Children's Mercy Park," said Chioma Atanmo, Director of Community Impact at Sporting KC. "The creativity and passion demonstrated by these students is inspiring, and we are thrilled to support their journey."
Sporting Kansas City, founded by Lamar Hunt, has a rich history in American soccer and a passionate fanbase. Children's Mercy Park, the club's state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium, is renowned for its electric atmosphere and has hosted numerous high-profile events, including international matches.
The 49th Hour Pitch Event promises to be an exciting showcase of the future of stadium design and fan engagement.
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About Make48
Make48 is a nationwide invention-competition docuseries that gives teams a challenge at the start of a two-day event. With just 48 hours, teams must create a prototype, promotional video, and sales sheet, and present their idea to a panel of judges. The teams have access to a makerspace and numerous Tool Techs who can make almost anything, patent attorneys, marketing experts, and more. This format allows everyone to have a level playing field and the chance to win, with no prior technical knowledge necessary.
Make48 Media Contact:
Cassandra Muñoz
816-226-8385