Florida Athletics has taken the next step in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium renovation, as the Board of Trustees’ Facilities Subcommittee approved a contractor and an owner’s representative for the massive project.
The approvals allow the project team to move forward with continued design, planning and pre-construction efforts as the renovation advances through the formal approval process. The full project is expected to go before the University of Florida Board of Trustees in September for final approval.
The renovation is a multi-phase project with a targeted completion date before the 2030 football season and a projected cost of approximately $1.45 billion. Florida anticipates construction taking place during the 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 offseasons while continuing to play home games at The Swamp. University officials are hopeful any reduction in stadium capacity will be minimal, if there is any reduction at all.
Funding is expected to come from a combination of private donations, capital reserves and long-term debt, through approval from the Florida Board of Governors.
“Florida football is obviously the sport that drives the most engagement and helps support the entire UAA and all 21 sports at a high level, and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is by far the most important asset that Florida football has,” Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said. “So it’s really important that we as an association and a university invest back into this really important asset to make sure that it can not only continue to support our fans and our team, but to help the program grow as we move forward where resources are going to continue to be really important. So, this is going to take a lot of resources, but I think it’s also going to generate more resources than it takes in, and it’s going to help give us an advantage when it comes online.”
Florida Athletics also released renderings, which can be viewed here.
The renovation includes expanded concourses, upgraded concessions and restrooms, improved accessibility, elevated premium seating, enhanced technology infrastructure, and state of the art video and audio capabilities.
“This project represents an incredible opportunity to modernize and elevate the experience at one of the most iconic venues in sports while protecting the traditions that make it special,” said Scott Stricklin. “We are excited about the momentum surrounding this project and what it will ultimately mean for our fans, student-athletes, and the future of Florida Athletics. The Swamp will be bigger, better and louder.”
Key priorities include maintaining the stadium’s seating capacity, preserving the iconic orange wing walls and bowl design, and keeping fans as close to the action as possible.
“The first row of seats is just as close to the sideline as they’ve ever been,” Stricklin said. “The rake of the bowl is the same. There are no additional chair backs being introduced into the lower bowl.”
The renovation will also include wider aisles, slightly wider seats and handrails, bringing the stadium into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Florida is also expected to introduce new premium suites, loge seating and club areas, as well as standing-room-only party decks.
“More structure is going to hold it more sound. This is going to be a louder environment,” Stricklin said.
University officials are expecting the makeover to generate an estimated 65 million dollar lift annually.
“Ben Hill Griffin annually, game day revenue, is about $75 million currently. Six or seven [games], just on average. Tickets, contributions, concessions, not counting TV or anything like that,” Stricklin said. “This will be a $65 million lift annually.”
Florida has selected Legends Global to serve as the owner’s representative, while Manhattan Construction Group and Hunt Construction Group will partner as the construction management team leading the renovation effort.
While many of the project’s specific details are still being finalized, this will mark the largest project in college football history in terms of total cost.