MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The more than $220 million in renovations to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium are now underway, as crews began Phase 2 of the project Monday by demolishing the west side of the Memphis Tigers' football stadium.
Phase 2 includes demolishing the West Side tower and a bulk of the West Side seating bowl, creating an interior "party plaza" area for fans, and beginning initial perimeter and halo upgrades to create a hospitality space around the stadium.
During Phase 1, all game operations, press box, coaches and radio booths were moved from the west side of the stadium to the east side of the stadium. The cost for the first phase was expected to run $8-10 million.
This time lapse video shows the progress made on the first day of demolition:
Phase 1 work continues and is expected to be completed on schedule before the start of the 2024 Memphis Football season. Phase 2 is expected to be completed by the start of the 2026 season.
"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,” said University of Memphis Senior Vice President nd Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Ed Scott.
Fundraising
Memphis Athletics is working alongside the University’s Auxiliary Services Foundation for the renovation. They said working in phases allows 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.
What the changes mean for fans
“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.”
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.
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.
Outline of Phases:
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
