NFL Jaguars, City of Jacksonville Commit $1.4 Billion to Stadium Renovation Project

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville have reached a $1.4 billion deal to advance their “Stadium of the Future” project. the city announced Tuesday.

The deal will see each party contribute $625 million to the project, which will see the Jaguars’ current home – EverBank Stadium – undergo extensive renovations, according to the city. The city will then spend another $150 million to prepare the stadium for construction in 2026.

The proposal, announced last year, must still pass two key steps before being officially approved. First, city council members will vote on the project in June, with a majority of 19 members needed for it to pass.

If passed, it would then be voted on at the NFL’s annual owners meeting in October, where 24 of the 32 owners are expected to greenlight the proposal.

“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we present this historic agreement,” Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan posted on X, formerly Twitter. “This is a critical step in developing a thriving downtown that generates the commercial revenue that will fund much of what we want to do in neighborhoods across the city.” »

“Jacksonville has the privilege of being an NFL city and this agreement will ensure our citizens can enjoy the benefits of that privilege for decades to come.”

The proposal would keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville for another 30 years and come with a no-relocation agreement.

Construction would begin after the 2025 season, with the Jaguars playing at reduced capacity in 2026, according to the city. The team’s home games would then be held away from Jacksonville the following season while the stadium was renovated.

The Jaguars say their plans “require a reimagined stadium with an environmentally friendly, cost-effective structure that showcases cutting-edge innovation.”

These innovations include a transparent protective canopy that provides protection from sun, wind and rain and reduces heat retention by 70%, as well as a 360-degree lobby, “immersive” digital and lighting technology » in the bowl and a subtropical natural park open all year round. -visitor tour.

The agreement provides that the Jaguars will still play one game per year in London.

EverBank Stadium’s regular capacity of 67,814 will be reduced to approximately 63,000, although it could increase to 71,500 for special events such as concerts or college football games.

The Jags finished last season with a 9-8 record, finishing second in the AFC South behind the Houston Texans and missing the playoffs.

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