Construction and exterior site work are underway on a $1.4-billion transformation and expansion project at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.
Crews have torn down a skybridge, along with two escalator towers and three light towers, and demolished a plaza around the stadium. Underground utilities have been relocated and new water, sewer and stormwater pipes, and electrical and fiber services have been installed.
Workers have also laid the foundations for a new protective canopy and expansion of the concourse.
Recently, they completed the first of four grand staircases at the stadium. The plan is to install one staircase at each corner of the structure to make it easier for fans to reach the main concourse level. Each of the four grand staircases will be flanked by escalators in the future.
More than 850 cubic yards of concrete were used for the staircase and more than 1,100 linear feet of handrail were installed. The top landing alone required 96 cement trucks to complete.
Over the next few years, seating capacity of the stadium will be expanded to 70,000 from 63,000, new communal spaces and lookout decks offering skyline and river views will be added, concourses will be four times wider than existing spaces, and a transparent protective shell will be installed.
Lighting and digital technology will be used to create distinctive event experiences. A public subtropical Floridian nature park space will be open for visitors on event days.
Jaguars president Mark Lamping said the project is in the initial stages, so there’s still a long way to go.
“It’s incredibly complex, but we’ve got such a great design and construction team, really hard working, well-skilled construction workers that are working onsite every day and doing an unbelievable job.
“We encounter challenges all the time, but we’ve been able to work through all of them and are fortunate that we continue to stay on schedule.”
A joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Barton Malow was selected to be construction manager on the project. The joint venture is currently working on a renovation of Beaver Stadium on the Penn State University campus. Previously, the two companies have joined to complete work at UBS Arena, Comerica Park Pepsi Porch upgrade and expansion, and Little Caesars Arena.
“Our team is proud to partner with Barton Malow in managing this exciting project to transform the home of the Jaguars and create a true Stadium of the Future,” said Ken Johnson, AECOM Hunt executive vice-president and sports arena market sector lead. “This will serve countless fans, visitors, and Jaxsons for generations to come. It will be a true game-changer for the entire community, and we look forward to making this world-class stadium a reality.”
Len Moser, Barton Malow vice-president of sports, said the project represents a new era in stadium design and construction.
“From advanced sustainability features to cutting-edge immersive technologies, we are setting a new standard for what stadiums can be,” he said.
The city and football team have partnered to transform the stadium. Construction will be completed in 2028.
Using research derived from Jaguars fans, stadium guests and a comprehensive assessment of the facility’s structure, the team plans to have a reimagined stadium with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective structure that showcases state-of-the-art innovation.
The canopy structure, for example, will be a transparent protective shell made from ViewScape, a composite polymer that is the next generation of enclosure technology, with special protection against the sun, wind and rain. It will reduce heat retention by 70 per cent.
The exterior of the stadium is designed to minimize utility needs and cost, providing passive cooling, shading and natural ventilation for fans, athletes and performers. Stadium equipment and fixtures will be upgraded to improve energy performance and reach decarbonization goals.
Landscaping of stadium grounds will minimize the heat island effect, while using native plants will reduce stormwater runoff.
The canopy will be supported by an entirely new column line surrounding the existing stadium structure. This independent system will reduce the overall structural loads.
The Jaguars will play at home for the 2026 NFL season and in 2027 will play one season away from Jacksonville at either Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville or Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Full capacity is expected for the 2026 season as only exterior work will be underway.
In 2027, the upper bowl will be under construction. Steel erection and concourse expansion work will occur that year.
A statement by the Jaguars notes the team will ensure all guests, players, coaches and staff remain safe and secure while on premises by prohibiting entry to areas that are considered in the construction footprint.
“The Jaguars will provide updated stadium construction related information to allow fans, partners, media and guests to successfully plan their visit to EverBank Stadium and minimize any disruptions caused by the construction,” the team states.