Stadium of the Future – design description

Why is the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium expansion planned?

TIAA Bank Field (name effective as of 2018), located in downtown Jacksonville, was built between 1994 and 1995. The stadium was constructed to replace the former Gator Bowl Stadium, which had been in existence since 1927. The new facility was built so that the then newly founded Jacksonville Jaguars team could enter the NFL competition. The stadium can hold just under 68,000 spectators.

In 2014, the world's largest HD screens were installed at the facility, as well as a so-called 'party deck' with a unique solution of two pools from which to watch the competition. However, the stadium currently ranks among the top NFL league arenas in terms of length of time without any major upgrade.

When did the concept of redeveloping the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium come about?

The push for redevelopment began as early as 2016. In June 2020, technical analyses were undertaken to check the current state of the facility. These gave a positive result regarding the possibility of further investment in the facility without the need for demolition. At the end of 2021, eight architectural studios were engaged to develop a concept for the future stadium.

At the beginning of 2023, it was announced that further collaboration on the concept would be carried out with HOK Architects. On June 7, 2023, the first renderings were published showing what the stadium would look like after redevelopment. The project was given the working title 'Stadium of the Future'.

What does 'Stadium of the Future' concept entail?

The proposed redevelopment involves far-reaching changes, one of the most important of which will be the creation of a roof to cover both the stands and the pitch. The roof will be clad in a light-transmitting ETFE material, but will be shaded over the stands to protect against excessive sunlight.

Open spaces on the sides will allow air to circulate freely. The canopy will ensure that the temperature inside the stadium can be as much as 10-15 °F cooler on hot days. From the outside, the stands will be covered with mirrored panels. The lower edge of the facade will undulate, creating sizable gaps on the north and south sides, giving the facility a semi-open character.

The design includes the arrangement of the entire surroundings of the stadium. Pathways and green areas will be created around the arena, stylised as a subtropical park to reflect Florida's iconic natural landscapes. The entrance promenade surrounding the stadium will be widened four times. It will feature a number of bars and catering outlets, offering locally renowned dishes.

The stadium will be filled with the latest technology. Wide screens and decorative lights will ensure an unforgettable match experience. The venue will have an extensive premium offering, on the other hand, approximately ⅔ of the seats will be for regular spectators, making attendance at events accessible to all residents.

The stadium will feature, among other things, terraces with views of the city, and pools from which matches can be watched will also be retained. To facilitate mobility, 13 new lifts and 32 escalators will be installed. There will also be 220 new food and drink outlets and 14 toilets. The capacity of the stands will be slightly reduced from the current one, to 62,000 spectators, with an option to temporarily increase to 71,500 spectators for major events.

What is the significance of the redevelopment of the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium?

After the redevelopment, the facility will retain all its traditional functions, such as hosting NFL games of the Jacksonville Jaguars team, or the annual Gator Bowl and games of the University of Florida and Georgia teams. It will still be able to host occasional soccer games, and will increase its attractiveness for attracting other large events and various cultural activities.

The completion of the project guarantees the hosting of top-level events for decades to come. The concept fits in with the trend of modern, very expensive and fully covered stadiums in the NFL league. The project is also important for the revitalisation of downtown Jacksonville and is expected to bring benefits to the local community and new jobs.

When will 'Stadium of the Future' concept be implemented?

The development of the concept was only the initial step on the road to redevelopment. Following the presentation of the visuals, discussions have begun with local residents, who are expected to be familiar with the details of the project and will be able to make comments. Before construction work can begin, the creators of the initiative will face serious discussions with the municipal authorities and a series of administrative procedures, the preparation of design documentation and the selection of contractors.

According to initial estimates, the redevelopment of the stadium would cost around $1.3-1.4 billion, but with all the surroundings, the project is expected to cost around $2 billion. Although the sums are high, they are still significantly lower (by up to $1 billion) than if it were decided to build a new stadium from scratch. The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping that 50% of the cost will be taken on by the city, with which cooperation has so far been very good.

Construction could begin in early 2026, with the redeveloped facility expected to be ready for the 2028 season, provided the work is carried out comprehensively, taking the facility out of service for two years. This is the Jaguars' preferred solution, but the team is also not ruling out the option of using the stadium during construction. This would extend the redevelopment time to four years and raise the cost by just under $200 million.