What to know about the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new $1.4 billion stadium
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in line for a new home, but by all accounts, it’s going to cost both them and the city a pretty penny. Here’s what we know.
While there are still a number of steps to be taken before it becomes a reality, including two different votes, it appears that there is a deal in place that will see the Jaguars building a new home in the near future.
Jaguars agree to $1.4 billion stadium
According to reports on Tuesday, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ “Stadium of the Future” has been given the green light following the finalization of an agreement between the city and the franchise. As per reports, the project carries a total cost of $1.4 billion and will see each side contributing some $625 million, though it is understood that Jacksonville will add another $150 million to prepare EverBank Stadium for the start of construction in 2026. The Jaguars will not include any new taxes to finance the rebuild.
It’s important to note that from here, the plan that was presented to a city council on Tuesday, will now require members to vote on it in June with a majority of 19 members needed to pass. From there, it would in theory go to the NFL owners meeting in October where a minimum of 24 out of the 32 will need to vote in favor of its approval before it can officially go forward. At present, construction is set to begin following the 2025 season, meaning the Jaguars will have to play in front of a reduced-capacity crowd during the 2026 season, before having to host home games in either Gainesville or Orlando for the duration of the 2027 season.
Proposed changes to EverBank Stadium
- Shade on all seats
- A 360-degree concourse
- Wider concourses
- Increased space for football operations
- Better vertical transportation
- Replace HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems
The news does of course follow on from last summer’s reports which indicated the team intends to transform downtown Jacksonville. As things stand, the plan is to not only significantly increase the size of the stadium, but also include interactive social areas in addition to restaurants that will carry local cuisine. Interestingly, reports also suggest that the stadium will feature impressive technology including a shade canopy that will reduce heat retention. You can see more of the proposed changes below:
Ultimately, the announcement stands as confirmation of the franchise’s plan to stay in Jacksonville long-term. Do recall, there was a great deal of speculation about the possibility that it would relocate to London. Now, the team will now remain in the city for the next 30 years. As for the decision itself, it’s interesting to note that though the initial idea was to build a completely new stadium, the choice to redesign the existing one was made once it was clear that it was structurally possible. The move will also make Jacksonville a prime spot to host a Super Bowl, something that hasn’t occurred since 2005.
So, what are the specifics of this mega project? As you know, it was just last year when the Jaguars constructed an ahead-of-its-time, 125,000-square-foot sports performance center as part of the team’s renovation plan. Officially unveiled during training camp last year, the new practice facility included locker rooms, team and positional meeting rooms, training and recovery areas, medical support facilities, a weight room, dining facilities, office spaces, and even a draft room. That’s not all either, as there is still more to come with two full-size grass practice fields and a full-size indoor practice field set to be constructed as well. Needless to say, the renovated stadium will be the proverbial cherry on top of the cake. Stay tuned!