Nebraska announces $450 million renovation plan to Memorial Stadium

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska unveiled plans Thursday for a $450 million renovation project to Memorial Stadium, to be completed over 2 1/2 years, that will reshape the 100-year-old home of the Huskers’ football program. Details of the construction plan were released in the agenda for a meeting next Thursday of the university’s board of regents in Omaha.

If the renovation plan is approved by the board of regents, Nebraska would begin construction in February 2024 and divide construction into multiple phases. Completion of the project is set for July 2026.

“We had one chance to do this,” athletic director Trev Alberts said at a news conference Thursday. “If we’re going to do this right, we’re going to do this entirely.”

Of the $225 million to come from athletic department, university and other sources, Alberts said the project would access $50 million in university surplus funds and $50 million in central lending through the university system.

The project would add a 360-degree main-level concourse and a 270-degree upper-level concourse.

The first phase of construction would involve $45 million infrastructure work ahead of the 2024 football season. Stadium capacity, currently 82,841, would not be impacted next season. After the anticipated demolition of South Stadium in early 2025, capacity would temporarily be reduced by approximately 22,000.

Alberts said he hopes the major disruption would affect just the 2025 season but that he’s prepared also for reduced capacity in 2026.

“I understand completely the angst and frustration that some of our fans are going to have,” Alberts said.

He asked fans for patience, grace and that they remain mindful of the future. Capacity at the conclusion of the project would be reduced by approximately 8,000 to 10,000 — 10 to 12 percent of the current figure — to a final number in the range of 73,000 to 75,000.

Alberts said Nebraska would “take a hard look” at the grandfather clause that allows longtime season-ticket holders to maintain seating priority regardless of donor status.

“We’re going to have the courage to address all of it,” Alberts said.

The project would be rated as the most expensive undertaken by Nebraska athletics. The plan calls for $225 million to come from private funds and $225 million from the athletic department, university and other sources. The school is in the final stages of work on a new complex, adjacent to Memorial Stadium, that houses the football locker room and will include space for the football offices, training table, weight room and other athletic department purposes. Its cost is $165 million.

The entire South Stadium would be removed and replaced as part of the renovation. Selective demolition in other areas will occur. Plans for the project were shaped by responses from 22,000 Nebraska fans and ticket holders in a 2022 survey conducted by the school.

The overarching purpose of the renovation is to enhance the fan experience, ensure a modern facility with infrastructure suited for the next century of Nebraska football and provide equitable and affordable access for all fans — with space dedicated for students.

What did Nebraska leaders say?

Included in a news release issued Thursday from Alberts, the third-year athletic director: “One hundred years ago, Nebraskans came together to celebrate the first game at Memorial Stadium — the start of what would become a century’s worth of memories for students, alumni, fans and families all across our state. Now our fans have an opportunity to come together again to ensure that we can make memories for another century. After 100 years, the reality is our stadium needs significant modernization.

“A project of this scale can’t happen without some degree of disruption, but we ask our fans to give us grace as we work through our ambitious plans. We could not be more excited to bring this proposal to the Board of Regents and share our vision with Nebraskans for making Memorial Stadium the home of one of the best fan experiences in college athletics.”

And from University of Nebraska system president Ted Carter (who is departing at the end of 2023 for Ohio State): “The University of Nebraska is proud to be investing in excellence in all areas – academic and athletic. Facilities are a crucial part of that strategy. Just as we are making unprecedented investments in our classroom and laboratory space, outstanding athletics facilities help to build Nebraskans’ excitement about their university and add to the power of our national brand.

“This project is an exciting part of our vision for Nebraska to compete at the highest levels across the board.”

Required reading

(Photo: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)