University of Memphis Athletics
Phase 2 of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Renovations Underway
Jul 22, 2024 | Football, General
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The transformative renovation of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the home of Memphis Tiger Football, has entered its significant and impactful Phase 2 of construction.
Phase 2 includes the demolition of the West Side tower and a bulk of the West Side seating bowl, which is now underway and will make way for a rebuild that dramatically improves the look of the stadium and provides several modern-day premium seating options. Additional Phase 2 priority elements include creating a unique interior "party plaza" area for all fans and beginning initial perimeter and halo upgrades to create a hospitality space around the stadium.
"We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary gift from the Fred Smith Family and the investments from our leadership donors in support of Memphis Athletics. With their generosity, our shared vision for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is coming to life," said University of Memphis Senior Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Ed Scott. "We are determined to create one of the best college football game-day atmospheres in the country and, while there is still progress to be made, we are well on our way as Phase 2 of the construction begins.
"There has never been a more exciting time to be a Tiger and we are confident this game-changing renovation establishes our football program, our university and our city up for unprecedented success."
The renovation officially began in May with Phase 1 work, which encompasses renovation of the existing East Side Suite Level Two to accommodate moving media and gameday operations from their current West Side location to prepare for Phase 2, as well as other general upkeep, deferred maintenance, and site prep elements. Phase 1 work is ongoing, with completion on schedule for prior to the start of the 2024 Memphis Football season.
Completion of Phase 2 remains on schedule by the start of the 2026 Memphis Football season.
As announced in March, Memphis Athletics, alongside the University's Auxiliary Services Foundation, is committing to a $220 million investment in the stadium project and approaching the renovation in phases, allowing work to begin as quickly as possible while securing the necessary funding for subsequent phases. Memphis is moving forward with the first two phases at an estimated cost of $195 million. Memphis and firms Populous, Barton Malow and MFA, in addition to local partners brg3s, Grinder Taber Grinder and Allworld, are designing the project to a full three-phase cost of $220 million.
Design for Phase 3 will begin in the coming months upon securing the necessary funds, initially estimated to be the second $25 million of the matching funds needed to meet the Smith Family's challenge pledge.
Ticketing Implications
Memphis Football season ticket holders have received information about renewing their tickets for the 2024 season, and new season tickets are also on sale now at THIS LINK, in person at the Memphis Ticket Office or by calling the office at (901) 678-2331.
Due to stadium construction, all West Side suites, a portion of East Side suites, the Stadium Club and all non-chairback (bleacher) seats between sections 129-132 and 101-109 will be unavailable for the 2024 and 2025 football seasons. Chairback seats on the West Side of SBLS will not be impacted during this construction phase. Please CLICK HERE to view the seating map for 2024.
Stadium capacity during the 2024 and 2025 Memphis Football seasons is anticipated to be in the low-30,000s, and capacity after renovations are complete is estimated to be approximately 50,000.
CLICK HERE to view additional ticketing frequently asked questions.
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.
Phase 2 includes the demolition of the West Side tower and a bulk of the West Side seating bowl, which is now underway and will make way for a rebuild that dramatically improves the look of the stadium and provides several modern-day premium seating options. Additional Phase 2 priority elements include creating a unique interior "party plaza" area for all fans and beginning initial perimeter and halo upgrades to create a hospitality space around the stadium.
"We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary gift from the Fred Smith Family and the investments from our leadership donors in support of Memphis Athletics. With their generosity, our shared vision for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is coming to life," said University of Memphis Senior Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Ed Scott. "We are determined to create one of the best college football game-day atmospheres in the country and, while there is still progress to be made, we are well on our way as Phase 2 of the construction begins.
"There has never been a more exciting time to be a Tiger and we are confident this game-changing renovation establishes our football program, our university and our city up for unprecedented success."
The renovation officially began in May with Phase 1 work, which encompasses renovation of the existing East Side Suite Level Two to accommodate moving media and gameday operations from their current West Side location to prepare for Phase 2, as well as other general upkeep, deferred maintenance, and site prep elements. Phase 1 work is ongoing, with completion on schedule for prior to the start of the 2024 Memphis Football season.
Completion of Phase 2 remains on schedule by the start of the 2026 Memphis Football season.
As announced in March, Memphis Athletics, alongside the University's Auxiliary Services Foundation, is committing to a $220 million investment in the stadium project and approaching the renovation in phases, allowing work to begin as quickly as possible while securing the necessary funding for subsequent phases. Memphis is moving forward with the first two phases at an estimated cost of $195 million. Memphis and firms Populous, Barton Malow and MFA, in addition to local partners brg3s, Grinder Taber Grinder and Allworld, are designing the project to a full three-phase cost of $220 million.
Design for Phase 3 will begin in the coming months upon securing the necessary funds, initially estimated to be the second $25 million of the matching funds needed to meet the Smith Family's challenge pledge.
Ticketing Implications
Memphis Football season ticket holders have received information about renewing their tickets for the 2024 season, and new season tickets are also on sale now at THIS LINK, in person at the Memphis Ticket Office or by calling the office at (901) 678-2331.
Due to stadium construction, all West Side suites, a portion of East Side suites, the Stadium Club and all non-chairback (bleacher) seats between sections 129-132 and 101-109 will be unavailable for the 2024 and 2025 football seasons. Chairback seats on the West Side of SBLS will not be impacted during this construction phase. Please CLICK HERE to view the seating map for 2024.
Stadium capacity during the 2024 and 2025 Memphis Football seasons is anticipated to be in the low-30,000s, and capacity after renovations are complete is estimated to be approximately 50,000.
CLICK HERE to view additional ticketing frequently asked questions.
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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