University of Memphis Athletics
State Says “Go Tigers Go!” Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Renovation Funding Included in State of Tennessee Budget
Apr 20, 2023 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A $350 million allocation to the City of Memphis for renovations to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the Memphis Tiger football program, and FedExForum, home of Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball and the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, as well as funding for construction of a new multi-use stadium for Memphis 901 FC has been approved as part of the State of Tennessee's budget for fiscal year 2024. The exact funding distribution to each project will be provided by the City at a later date as two additional pieces of legislation are still underway.
The stadium renovation design phase is currently well underway with partners Populous, Barton Malow and MFA, with construction slated to begin after the 2023 football season and completion anticipated by the start of the 2025 season. Priority elements of the project include:
"The University of Memphis is thankful to Gov. Bill Lee and the State of Tennessee Legislature for the approval of Mayor Jim Strickland's monumental request of $350 million to renovate both Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and FedExForum, which are leased by our athletic department," University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave said. "We are very grateful to the Governor for recognizing the much-needed improvements and including funds for the renovations in his budget. Our football and basketball programs, fans and overall athletics will benefit greatly from the state-of-the-art upgrades."
"Today is a monumental day for our Memphis Football future, our great city and Tiger fans everywhere," University of Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch said. "A huge thank you to Governor Bill Lee and the State of Tennessee Legislature, as well as Mayor Jim Strickland and other City of Memphis leadership, for believing in our shared vision and recognizing the significant impact this transformational renovation to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will have on our University and the Mid-South as a whole.
"As we continue to position ourselves for the future of intercollegiate athletics, including potential conference realignment opportunities, having a modern and first-class football stadium will be a great demonstration of our entire state's commitment to seeing the University of Memphis elevate on a national scale."
"This is a fantastic day for the entire City of Memphis and our football program," Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield said. "We are so grateful for the collaborative effort from so many stakeholders from across our city and state. This tremendous news on the funding for our stadium will continue to put our program on a national stage."
Additional details and the latest design renderings will be released as the design process continues over the coming months. Stadium seating will not be affected during the 2023 season, but significant impacts are anticipated as construction proceeds throughout 2024. A complete re-seating process will take place prior to both the under-construction 2024 season and the 2025 season in newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Memphis Athletics will be using a priority system for the 2024 and 2025 ticket re-seats. Fans can ensure they have the best access to 2025 tickets in the newly renovated stadium by purchasing 2023 football season tickets and renewing their Memphis Athletics Fund (MAF) contributions. Group numbers will lock on Dec. 1, 2023, and fans who do not maintain at the same level after the lock date for the 2025 season may fall lower in the priority order. Season ticket holder status is based on the 2023 seasons.
2024 and 2025 Seat Selection Groups
1. Ambassador/Tiger Leadership Circle Member
2. MAF Member + Football Season Ticket Holder
3. Football Season Ticket Holder
4. MAF Member + Men's or Women's Basketball Season Ticket Holder
5. MAF Member
6. Men's or Women's Basketball Season Ticket Holder
7. General Public
Fans can also sign up to receive more information on the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovation project by visiting www.GoTigersGo.com/OurFootballFuture.
Season tickets for the 2023 Memphis Football season start at only $99. Fans can commit to new season tickets online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is great news! What happens next?
University of Memphis officials will continue discussions with the City of Memphis on how the funding will be allocated to each project mentioned in the State of Tennessee's budget. At the same time, the stadium design process that began in February will continue in earnest. Stadium renovation is scheduled to begin in January 2024.
When will we know if our seats will be affected during construction in 2024?
That likely won't be known until after the design is finalized. The re-seating processes will likely take place in May/June 2024 and May/June 2025. More information on these processes will be shared when available.
I am a 2023 football season ticket holder, and my ticket also has a required seat donation. What selection group will I be for the 2024 and 2025 ticket re-seats?
Your required seat donation makes you a MAF member, so you will be in Group 2.
I have men's basketball season tickets with a required seat donation, but not football season tickets. If I wanted to experience the renovated stadium in 2025, what selection group would I be?
You are currently in Group 4. By adding 2023 football season tickets, however, you would jump to Group 2.
I've never had football season tickets, but I do make donations to the Memphis Athletics Fund. The renovated stadium sounds fantastic, so I may get tickets in 2025. What selection group am I?
As a MAF member, you would currently pick your seats in Group 5. If you added season tickets for men's or women's basketball in 2023-24, you would move up to Group 4. If you added season tickets to football in 2023, you would move up three groups to Group 2.
Will there be additional priority rankings within groups?
Yes. Within each group, the first measure of priority will be MAF Annual Giving Level (Silver Tiger, Bronze Tiger, Super Tiger, Striped Tiger, Bengal Tiger, Blue Tiger or Gray Tiger). After that, a point system will be utilized. Additional information on priority rankings within groups will be communicated at a later date.
What about Memphis Men's Basketball at FedExForum?
We do anticipate that a similar re-seating process will be necessary for Memphis men's basketball games at FedExForum at some point, but there are no changes anticipated in the near future.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Athletics, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the department's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The stadium renovation design phase is currently well underway with partners Populous, Barton Malow and MFA, with construction slated to begin after the 2023 football season and completion anticipated by the start of the 2025 season. Priority elements of the project include:
- A transformation of the stadium's west side, providing several innovative premium seating options
- Creating a hospitality experience within the halo space surrounding the stadium
- Multiple other fan experience improvements throughout the stadium such as restroom and concessions upgrades
- A potential renovation of the east side
"The University of Memphis is thankful to Gov. Bill Lee and the State of Tennessee Legislature for the approval of Mayor Jim Strickland's monumental request of $350 million to renovate both Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and FedExForum, which are leased by our athletic department," University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave said. "We are very grateful to the Governor for recognizing the much-needed improvements and including funds for the renovations in his budget. Our football and basketball programs, fans and overall athletics will benefit greatly from the state-of-the-art upgrades."
"Today is a monumental day for our Memphis Football future, our great city and Tiger fans everywhere," University of Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch said. "A huge thank you to Governor Bill Lee and the State of Tennessee Legislature, as well as Mayor Jim Strickland and other City of Memphis leadership, for believing in our shared vision and recognizing the significant impact this transformational renovation to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will have on our University and the Mid-South as a whole.
"As we continue to position ourselves for the future of intercollegiate athletics, including potential conference realignment opportunities, having a modern and first-class football stadium will be a great demonstration of our entire state's commitment to seeing the University of Memphis elevate on a national scale."
"This is a fantastic day for the entire City of Memphis and our football program," Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield said. "We are so grateful for the collaborative effort from so many stakeholders from across our city and state. This tremendous news on the funding for our stadium will continue to put our program on a national stage."
Additional details and the latest design renderings will be released as the design process continues over the coming months. Stadium seating will not be affected during the 2023 season, but significant impacts are anticipated as construction proceeds throughout 2024. A complete re-seating process will take place prior to both the under-construction 2024 season and the 2025 season in newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Memphis Athletics will be using a priority system for the 2024 and 2025 ticket re-seats. Fans can ensure they have the best access to 2025 tickets in the newly renovated stadium by purchasing 2023 football season tickets and renewing their Memphis Athletics Fund (MAF) contributions. Group numbers will lock on Dec. 1, 2023, and fans who do not maintain at the same level after the lock date for the 2025 season may fall lower in the priority order. Season ticket holder status is based on the 2023 seasons.
2024 and 2025 Seat Selection Groups
1. Ambassador/Tiger Leadership Circle Member
2. MAF Member + Football Season Ticket Holder
3. Football Season Ticket Holder
4. MAF Member + Men's or Women's Basketball Season Ticket Holder
5. MAF Member
6. Men's or Women's Basketball Season Ticket Holder
7. General Public
Fans can also sign up to receive more information on the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovation project by visiting www.GoTigersGo.com/OurFootballFuture.
Season tickets for the 2023 Memphis Football season start at only $99. Fans can commit to new season tickets online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is great news! What happens next?
University of Memphis officials will continue discussions with the City of Memphis on how the funding will be allocated to each project mentioned in the State of Tennessee's budget. At the same time, the stadium design process that began in February will continue in earnest. Stadium renovation is scheduled to begin in January 2024.
When will we know if our seats will be affected during construction in 2024?
That likely won't be known until after the design is finalized. The re-seating processes will likely take place in May/June 2024 and May/June 2025. More information on these processes will be shared when available.
I am a 2023 football season ticket holder, and my ticket also has a required seat donation. What selection group will I be for the 2024 and 2025 ticket re-seats?
Your required seat donation makes you a MAF member, so you will be in Group 2.
I have men's basketball season tickets with a required seat donation, but not football season tickets. If I wanted to experience the renovated stadium in 2025, what selection group would I be?
You are currently in Group 4. By adding 2023 football season tickets, however, you would jump to Group 2.
I've never had football season tickets, but I do make donations to the Memphis Athletics Fund. The renovated stadium sounds fantastic, so I may get tickets in 2025. What selection group am I?
As a MAF member, you would currently pick your seats in Group 5. If you added season tickets for men's or women's basketball in 2023-24, you would move up to Group 4. If you added season tickets to football in 2023, you would move up three groups to Group 2.
Will there be additional priority rankings within groups?
Yes. Within each group, the first measure of priority will be MAF Annual Giving Level (Silver Tiger, Bronze Tiger, Super Tiger, Striped Tiger, Bengal Tiger, Blue Tiger or Gray Tiger). After that, a point system will be utilized. Additional information on priority rankings within groups will be communicated at a later date.
What about Memphis Men's Basketball at FedExForum?
We do anticipate that a similar re-seating process will be necessary for Memphis men's basketball games at FedExForum at some point, but there are no changes anticipated in the near future.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Athletics, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the department's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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