Green light for Jacksonville Jaguars ‘Stadium of the Future’

Jacksonville City Council has voted to approve the Stadium of the Future deal between the City of Jacksonville and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 19-member council approved the projected $1.4 billion renovation by a 14-1 margin with two abstentions. The stadium deal must be approved by NFL owners at their fall meetings in October.

The agreement marks a critical step in a process that the Jaguars have worked toward for at least four years.

The agreement will see the Jaguars and the city contribute $625 million each to the project, with the stadium undergoing major renovations. Work will get underway in 2026.

The renovation will transform EverBank Stadium into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The Jaguars originally announced plans for the renovation in the summer of 2023.

The Jaguars said in a statement:

We’re excited that the City Council has approved this historic agreement that will keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville for decades to come, enhance the fan experience for NFL and non-NFL events, and provide a springboard for downtown growth starting with the completion of world-class riverfront parks.

The other portions of the community benefits agreement represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the quality of life for citizens across Jacksonville. We remain committed to working with the City Council to pass those pieces of the package when they return in July.

Mayor Donna Deegan added:

This day has been a long time coming. I am truly grateful for the partnership with the Jaguars throughout the negotiation process, and to the City Council for passing this historic deal. Together, we are turning renderings into reality for the betterment of Jacksonville.

Shad Khan, Owner, Jacksonville Jaguars, said:

The belief and determination of Delores and Wayne Weaver to make the Jacksonville Jaguars a reality more than 30 years ago was reaffirmed today by the leadership of Mayor Donna Deegan, her team and the Jacksonville City Council. The message then, and now, should be clear. Never doubt Jacksonville!

Design highlights for the Stadium of the Future include:

• Drawing inspiration from Jacksonville’s lush landscapes – a network of biking and walking trails, parklands, greenways, beaches and marshes – the striking design captures the essence of Florida. Fans will enter through a subtropical Floridian park, leading them to the main concourse. The concourse will be elevated 30 feet above the ground, offering expansive views for Downtown Jacksonville and the St. Johns River (river in Florida);
• The 360-degree concourse, four times wider than before, will feature interactive social bars and a variety of unique experiences alongside culinary delights native to Jacksonville. Every fan will discover something unique during each visit to the venue, which will offer a wide range of premium offerings and communal spaces;
• The seating bowl flexibility will provide for a base capacity of 62,000 with expansion capabilities up to 71,500 for a college football game and more for a concert. The venue will be able to transform its appearance through lighting and digital technology that will create distinctive gameday experiences while ensuring that the fans stay connected;
• The stadium has been designed with sustainability in mind. With a first-of-its-kind mirrored material, the energy-efficient façade will reflect Jacksonville’s waterfront, vegetation and distinct spirit. The open-air venue will feature a large shade canopy that will reduce heat retention by more than 70 percent, lower temperatures 10 to 15 degrees and protect fans from the weather. The façade will be raised at the Northern and Southern ends to optimize airflow, enabling passive cooling throughout the stadium;
• The stadium will feature lookout decks that offer Citywide views. A fritted roof membrane will introduce dispersed ambient light throughout the stadium interior.

The new stadium design addresses key fan requests, including a 185-percent increase in the main concourse surface area, a 260-percent increase in the upper concourse surface area, 360-degree connectivity in the upper concourse, 13 new elevators and 32 new escalators to support vertical movement, 220 new food and beverage points of sale, and 14 new restrooms.

Source & imagery, courtesy: Jaguars

Sports Venue Business has launched a raft of new offerings under the SVB LIVE banner, including Networking Events and a Webinar Series, the pinnacle of which is the SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition, being held at Croke Park, October 9th and 10th, with an Opening Night Icebreaker on October 8th.