Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is one of the iconic college football cathedrals in the land. Affectionately known as “the Swamp,” it’s considered one of the toughest places to play as a visitor in the country, especially when the Gators are competitive.
And now, it appears that the University of Florida is attempting to improve the fan experience on Saturdays. According to a report from the Gainesville Sun’s Graham Hall, the stadium will undergo a number of changes by the beginning of the 2024 season, including chairbacks in the lower bowl, scoreboard and sound improvements, as well as upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to Hall’s report, the plan also calls for reducing the capacity of the stadium, specifically on the alumni side. Though the reduction is likely to be between 1,500 and 7,000 seats, it could be as many as 9,000. Hall said that student seating will not be significantly affected.
The pre-design phase is set to begin on Nov. 1 and be completed by Jan. 3, 2022. Construction is expected to begin after the start of the 2022 season, and it’s expected to conclude on Aug. 2, 2024, just in time for the team’s home-opener against the Miami Hurricanes.
This is one of many facilities upgrades currently being undertaken by the football program. A stand-alone football facility at the site of the old McKethan Stadium, which cost $85 million, is expected to open in the spring.
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