Ready to Pounce: Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium Undergoes $1.4B Transformation

KEY POINTS

• A $1.4-billion transformation is underway at the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, including expanded seating capacity to 70,000 and the addition of a transparent protective shell.

• Crews have already completed significant demolition and utility work, alongside the installation of the first of four grand staircases designed to improve fan access.

• Construction is scheduled for completion in 2028, with the Jaguars playing the 2026 season at home and a temporary relocation planned for the 2027 season.

Construction and exterior site work are underway on a $1.4-billion transformation and expansion project at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

Crews have torn down a skybridge, two escalator towers, and three light towers, and demolished a plaza around the stadium. Underground utilities have been relocated, and new water, sewer, and stormwater pipes, as well as electrical and fiber services, have been installed. Workers have also laid the foundations for a new protective canopy and an expansion of the concourse.

Recently, they completed the first of four grand staircases at the stadium. The plan is to install one staircase at each corner of the structure to make it easier for fans to reach the main concourse level. In the future, each of the four grand staircases will be flanked by escalators.

Construction is underway on a $1.4-billion transformation and expansion project at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. A joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Barton Malow was selected to be the construction manager on the project. Construction will be completed in 2028. Image: Barton Malow

More than 850 cubic yards of concrete were used for the staircase, and more than 1,100 linear feet of handrail were installed. The top landing alone required 96 cement trucks to complete.

Enhanced Fan Experience and Capacity

Over the next few years, the stadium’s seating capacity will expand from 63,000 to 70,000. New communal spaces and lookout decks offering skyline and river views will be added. The concourses will be four times wider than the existing spaces, and a transparent protective shell will be installed.

Lighting and digital technology will be used to create distinctive event experiences. Additionally, a public subtropical Floridian nature park space will be open for visitors on event days.

Jaguars President Mark Lamping noted that, although the project is in its initial stages, significant progress is being made.

“It’s incredibly complex, but we’ve got such a great design and construction team, really hard-working, well-skilled construction workers that are working onsite every day and doing an unbelievable job,” Lamping said. “We encounter challenges all the time, but we’ve been able to work through all of them and are fortunate that we continue to stay on schedule.”

A joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Barton Malow was selected as the construction manager for the project. The joint venture is currently working on a renovation of Beaver Stadium on the Penn State University campus. Previously, the two companies joined forces to complete work at UBS Arena, the Comerica Park Pepsi Porch upgrade and expansion, and Little Caesars Arena.

“Our team is proud to partner with Barton Malow in managing this exciting project to transform the home of the Jaguars and create a true Stadium of the Future,” said Ken Johnson, AECOM Hunt executive vice president and sports arena market sector lead. “This will serve countless fans, visitors, and Jaxsons for generations to come. It will be a true game-changer for the entire community, and we look forward to making this world-class stadium a reality.”

Sustainable Design and Innovation

Len Moser, Barton Malow vice president of sports, said the project represents a new era in stadium design and construction.

“From advanced sustainability features to cutting-edge immersive technologies, we are setting a new standard for what stadiums can be,” he said.

The city and the football team have partnered to transform the stadium, with construction slated for completion in 2028. Using research derived from Jaguars fans, stadium guests, and a comprehensive assessment of the facility’s structure, the team plans to deliver a reimagined stadium with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective structure that showcases state-of-the-art innovation.

The canopy structure, for example, will be a transparent protective shell made from ViewScape, a composite polymer representing the next generation of enclosure technology. It offers special protection against the sun, wind, and rain and will reduce heat retention by 70 percent.

The stadium’s exterior is designed to minimize utility needs and costs, providing passive cooling, shading, and natural ventilation for fans, athletes, and performers. Stadium equipment and fixtures will be upgraded to improve energy performance and reach decarbonization goals. Landscaping of the stadium grounds will minimize the heat island effect, while the use of native plants will reduce stormwater runoff.

The canopy will be supported by an entirely new column line surrounding the existing stadium structure. This independent system will reduce the overall structural loads. 

Construction Schedule and Logistics

The Jaguars will play at home for the 2026 NFL season. In 2027, the team will play one season away from Jacksonville, either at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville or Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Full capacity is expected for the 2026 season as only exterior work will be underway at that time.

In 2027, the upper bowl will be under construction. Steel erection and concourse expansion work will also occur that year.

A statement by the Jaguars notes the team will ensure all guests, players, coaches, and staff remain safe and secure while on the premises by prohibiting entry to areas considered within the construction footprint.

“The Jaguars will provide updated stadium construction-related information to allow fans, partners, media, and guests to successfully plan their visit to EverBank Stadium and minimize any disruptions caused by the construction,” the team states.

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