The biggest football stadium project in Florida will be at the pro level — the $1.4 billion “Stadium of the Future” the Jacksonville Jaguars and city of Jacksonville have agreed upon.
To renovate city-owned EverBank Stadium, the city will fork over $775 million and the team will spend $625 million. The deal will keep the team in small-market Jacksonville for 30 years.
Among the coming changes: A shade canopy to reduce heat retention by more than 70%. The renovation plan still must be approved by a super-majority of NFL owners at their October meeting. The stadium’s capacity — currently 64,000 to 83,000 — will wind up at 63,000, expandable to 71,500 for certain events. Construction will mean fewer seats for the 2026 season. Home games in 2027 will be played at either Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville or Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Camping World itself looks to begin a $400-million renovation financed by tourism tax dollars.