‘It’s a game changer:’ Kansas football stadium renovation plans released to the public

After months of speculation wondering what exactly the new Kansas football stadium will look like and what it will entail, Kansas Jayhawks fans finally have their answer.

The University of Kansas released more details today about the upcoming Gateway District, including proposed renovations and renderings of the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The school also unveiled a new site dedicated directly to the Gateway District and all its project details.

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“We have a proud history, but this unprecedented investment makes a powerful statement about an even brighter future and provides far-reaching impact for our university community, fans and football program,” said Kansas Athletic Director Travis Goff.

Some of the enhancements coming to the new stadium include seating closer to the field, more chairback and club seating options, enhanced video board, four times the amount of food and beverage offerings, improved Wi-Fi access, and more.

Goff confirmed in a Q&A following the press conference that seating capacity will be more than 40,000, however, seating will be reduced for the 2024 season as construction on the Gateway Project is expected to begin immediately following the 2023-24 season.

Phase one of the project includes an overhaul to the southwest, west, and north sides of stadium and is scheduled to be completed and ready for the 2025 football season. The east and south sides of the stadium, as well as the facilities to the east of the stadium, will be on a different timeline with more information to come at a later date.

There are also more upgrades coming to the Anderson Family Football Complex, which appear to include a lounge area, training area, sports medicine treatment, and a content studio among other things.

When asked how the new facilities would impact recruiting, head coach Lance Leipold called it “game changing” for the program.

“It’s a game changer,” Leipold said. “It shows that this university, this administration is committed to being successful in Power 5 football.

New era of Kansas football

Thanks to Goff, Leipold, and chancellor Doug Girod, it truly has become a new era for Kansas football.

After years of attempts to make stadium changes under numerous previous administrations to no avail, it’s finally happening because of their efforts, persistence, and leadership.

And based on the number of previous failed attempts to make this happen, it should be obvious how monumental of task this was that they took on. And to secure the funding to make this sort of announcement in this amount of time is nothing short of miraculous.

This was the last piece to the puzzle for KU football. They have the right man in charge, they are performing better on the field, and soon they will have the facilities to make them as competitive as any team in the Big 12, perhaps the country.

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