The 2026 season will bring a distinct change to the appearance of Ohio Stadium. Investments aim to improve the quality of match broadcasts and align with a broader plan for developing matchday presentation, which the university began in 2025.

Two boards, two modernization stages

Ohio State will spread the screen modernization over two seasons. First, before the start of the 2026 competition, the video board in the north end zone will be replaced. Then – before the 2027 season – the time is expected to come for the replacement of the south scoreboard, considered the stadium's main screen.

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The changes do not concern only the image in the stands. Plans also include the reconstruction of accompanying elements, including audio systems and screens in other parts of Ohio State's sports infrastructure.

2026 project has the green light

In December, the Board of Trustees approved an agreement regarding the replacement of the video board in the north end zone along with a package of several other works. The budget for the entire approved project is $6.5 million, and its completion is scheduled before the start of the 2026 season.

As part of this stage, the replacement of the east and west ribbon boards and video boards on B-Deck is planned. The modernization will also cover infrastructure accompanying the team, specifically the replacement of the audio system inside and outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center (WHAC), as well as the replacement of the video board within the WHAC itself.

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First such replacement since 2009

The board in the north end zone was last replaced in 2009 when Ohio State installed an LED screen there. Since then, standards regarding resolution, brightness, reliability, and content delivery have changed significantly, so the decision to replace it after over a decade aligns with trends observed throughout the NCAA football landscape.

It is also worth noting that the Buckeyes replaced the ribbon boards on the east and west sides of the stadium during the last offseason. They were additionally enlarged to reach from end zone to end zone, which in itself significantly changes the informational layer of the spectacle in the stands.

Large project for 2027 and higher cost

The second stage is set to take place in 2027 and concerns the south end zone – the location of the main scoreboard. The last modernization of this board took place in 2012: at that time, OSU carried out a thorough reconstruction, enlarging the screen and adding new sound systems and LED ribbons.

This time, the project is expected to be even larger financially. The investment budget for 2027 is estimated at $22 million. Simultaneously, the university emphasizes formal order: the replacement of the south scoreboard (along with additional elements) is to be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval at a later date. If the project is accepted, implementation is to end before the 2027 season.

According to announcements, the scope of the second stage also includes the advertising and information environment and sound system: replacement of the advertising board, Pay Forward Society signage, and the audio system.

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Stadium is also changing "business-wise"

Parallel to the screen upgrades, Ohio Stadium is undergoing changes related to its premium offering. The Buckeyes have already secured premium seats in the south zone starting from the 2026 season, which is another signal that the university is combining the modernization of fan infrastructure with a restructuring of the matchday revenue model.

In recent years, the stadium has undergone renovations that reduced the number of standard seats to create space for more expensive zones and amenities. Before the previous season, Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork also announced moving the band to the north stand to make room for more luxury seats in the south end zone. At this stage, it is not clear how further works will affect the exact seating layout.

The announced investments in screens and sound systems are not an isolated project, but part of a broader change in match presentation. As part of the Tradition Evolved initiative launched in 2025, Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork suggested the possibility of implementing new technologies at Ohio Stadium in the near future. We're hoping we can get some things installed by 2026. If not, everything would be installed by 2027, Bjork said in August 2025.