NFL owners have given their unanimous approval for Jacksonville's $1.4 billion “stadium of the future,” securing the Jaguars' presence in the league for the next 30 years. This decision puts an end to years of speculation about the team potentially relocating.
The approval came during the league's fall meetings in Atlanta, where 24 out of 32 owners needed to support the project. The financial split for the stadium project sees both the city and the team contributing $625 million each, with an additional $150 million from Jacksonville for deferred maintenance of EverBank Stadium.
Construction work on the stadium is set to begin in February, with the Jaguars expected to play in front of a slightly reduced capacity in 2025 and a significantly reduced capacity in 2026. In 2027, the team may play home games in Gainesville or Orlando, as well as multiple games overseas in London and possibly Ireland.
The renovation agreement allows the Jaguars to play up to six home games internationally between 2025 and 2027, with a maximum of three games in the first two years and up to three more in 2027. The stadium plan includes a 30-year lease, a non-relocation agreement, and limits on the number of games the Jaguars can play outside Jacksonville.
The proposed 63,000-seat stadium features an open-air design with a translucent covering to reduce outside temperatures by 15 degrees. Capacity could expand to 71,500 for special events like the Florida-Georgia game, College Football Playoff games, or the Final Four. The stadium will also include pools and a party deck in the north end zone.
Furthermore, the stadium will be part of a downtown entertainment district in Jacksonville, with ongoing projects such as a Four Seasons hotel and residences, a new office building for the Jaguars, a modern marina, and a University of Florida satellite campus that could bring in 10,000 graduate students to the area.
