On Thursday, the University of Florida revealed renderings and a promotional video of its $1.45 billion renovations to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
More details on the renovations, which are set to be the most expensive in college football history, will be revealed Thursday afternoon. Construction for the project is scheduled to begin following the 2026 season and is expected to be completed ahead of the 2030 campaign.
Mori Hosseini, the UF Board of Trustees chair, released a statement Thursday morning with a price tag for the renovations.
“The UF Board of Trustees will be taking the first important steps today toward launching the long-awaited and much anticipated renovation of our beloved Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, aka The Swamp,” Hosseini said. “This $1.45 billion project will breathe new life into one of the nation’s most iconic college football venues and elevate it into the premier collegiate athletic destination that sets the standard for everyone else.”
According to the project website, the renovations will be funded by capital reserves, private giving, project-generated revenues and financial mechanisms, including long-term debt, with approval from the Florida Board of Governors.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was last renovated in 2003, adding 2,900 club seats and luxury suites. The upcoming renovation is expected to include wider concourses throughout the stadium, enhanced concession spaces, an upgraded sound system and scoreboard and more restrooms.
In April, UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said the Gators would maintain the stadium's capacity of 88,548, making The Swamp the largest stadium in Florida. Previously, the renovations were expected to reduce capacity to 84,399 to comply with updated Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
Therefore, to avoid a loss of capacity, Florida is spending more on renovations and adding sections throughout the stadium, such as premium seating areas.
Season ticket holders will receive priority seating in the renovated stadium, with details of the priority seating system to be announced closer to the project's completion.
More information about the project can be found at theswamprenovation.com.
Contact Jeffrey Serber at Jserber@alligator.org. Follow him on X @JeffreySerber.
Jeffrey is a summer 2026 sports enterprise reporter and a third-year journalism sports & media major with a media, management and production minor. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family, and rooting for the Miami sports teams
