MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Athletics announced Wednesday, May 29, 2024, that Phase 1 of the $220 million renovations for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium are now underway.
Interim Athletics Director Jeff Crane said this phase will end before the start of the upcoming football season. During Phase 1, all game operations, press box, coaches and radio booths will be moved from the west side of the stadium to the east side of the stadium. The cost for the first phase is expected to run $8-10 million.
Memphis Athletics is working alongside the University’s Auxiliary Services Foundation for the renovation, which is happening in phases.
They said working in phases will allow them to "move forward in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner possible," as they will get started on immediate improvements while continuing to raise money and consider additional phases as they go.
In March, officials said Memphis would move 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 the full three-phase cost of $220 million.
No changes will be made to the "overall operation" of UFL’s Memphis Showboats, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game and the Southern Heritage Classic, though they will be impacted by construction over the next two years, according to the March press release.
“The experience over the next two seasons is going to be different, and there may be some growing pains for a short period of time, but this renovation truly represents transformational growth." University of Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch said.
Memphis Athletics said stadium capacity during the 2024 and 2025 Memphis Football seasons is expected to be in the low-30,000s, and capacity after renovations are complete is estimated to be around 50,000.
The following is an outline of all three phases provided by Memphis Athletics:
Phase 1
- Includes: 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
- Timeline and Cost: May 2024 with completion prior to football season; $8-10 million
Phase 2
- Includes: transformation of the stadium’s West Side to dramatically improve the look of the stadium and provide several modern-day premium seating options (including Founders’ Suites, Founders’ Loge Boxes and additional private suites), create a unique interior “party plaza” area for all fans and begin initial perimeter and halo upgrades to create a hospitality space around the stadium
- Anticipated Start: as soon as possible in the 2024 calendar year, upon securing the necessary funds initially estimated to be the first $25 million of the matching funds needed to meet the Smith Family’s challenge pledge
Phase 3
- Potential Elements: locker room expansion and upgrades, any remaining perimeter, halo and concourse upgrades, other seating enhancements and north end tunnel renovation allowing production access for large-scale events such as concerts
- Anticipated Start: 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
