The Jacksonville Jaguars' "Stadium of the Future" renovation plan for EverBank Stadium was unanimously approved during the NFL owners meetings in Atlanta on Tuesday (October 15), the team announced on its social media accounts.
The renovation plan, which the team said will complement the growth of Downtown Jacksonville, will begin in early 2025 with a projected grand opening in August 2028.
"Never doubt Jacksonville. That was my message in the summer to Mayor [Donna] Deegan, the Jacksonville City Council and our residents, and I am humbled and grateful that my fellow NFL team owners agree," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement shared on the team's website. "Today's League approval of our Stadium of the Future plan means we will realize our vision for a reimagined home of the Jaguars in Downtown Jacksonville, scheduled to open in 2028. The venue will be world-class by every definition. It will impressively serve the Jaguars and their fans, attract major sports and entertainment events to our region, and serve as an economic catalyst for decades to come. It also means a new and vibrant Downtown Jacksonville that once may have seemed unimaginable will indeed come to life. I am grateful to all who believed, and especially so to everyone who did the hard work to make this happen. We have much more work hard ahead, but a lot to be proud of today. Celebrate!"
EverBank Stadium, which has gone through several name changes, has served as the home of the Jaguars since their inaugural season in 1995. The stadium was previously renovated between 2003 and 2004, as well as 2014 and 2016.
The "Stadium of the Future" renovation project is estimated to cost $1.4 billion with the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville both pledging to contribute $625 million, USA TODAY reported in May. The agreement also includes a 30-year lease agreement with a Non-Relocation Agreement.