Nebraska announces Memorial Stadium upgrades after 2026
On3 • • sports
Key Points:
- The University of Nebraska plans a major renovation of Memorial Stadium, called the "Big Red Rebuild," to be completed by 2028, reducing capacity from 86,549 to approximately 80,000 seats, with a temporary capacity of 65,000 during 2027 construction.
- The project will add 20,000 chairback seats, increasing from the current 8,909, and include a complete demolition and rebuild of South Stadium, as well as reconstruction of the West seating bowl with premium seating and modern amenities.
- Estimated at $600 million, the project will be funded through at least $250 million in philanthropic support and $350 million in private bond financing, without using state appropriated funds or impacting academic budgets.
- The renovation aims to enhance fan experience, increase annual seating revenue from $65 million to $95 million, create over 7,300 jobs, and generate an estimated $1.1 billion in statewide economic impact.
- The Board of Regents will vote on the proposal at their April 24 meeting, with the project potentially moving forward after the 2026 football season.
