Experience the Excitement: Memorial Stadium Upgrades Boost Seating, Atmosphere, and Luxury Amenities!

The University of Missouri is making big changes to Memorial Stadium. Work on the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project kicked off last November, and the goal is to have the stadium fully enclosed by October of this year.

This $250 million upgrade is the largest in the stadium’s history. So far, the athletic department has raised over 70% of its $125 million fundraising goal, thanks in part to a significant anonymous $25 million donation last September.

University President Mun Choi has labeled the project a top priority and is actively seeking state support. Choi noted, “Last year, we had the highest applications in our history. The football team’s success played a big role in this.”

With the team performing well, now feels like the right time to enhance the stadium and build on that positive energy. Executive AD/Chief Infrastructure Officer Joe Swingle stated, “We are fully committed to investing in our program.”

Once completed, the stadium’s capacity will rise from 62,621 to about 65,000. The new north concourse will be expansive, totaling approximately 191,000 square feet, including around 99,000 square feet of enclosed space.

Swingle believes that this project is essential, especially with rising costs in the competitive SEC Conference. He mentioned, “This area is vital for premium seating, which will boost our revenue.”

As part of the project, there will be 14 outdoor suites, 150 loge boxes, 28 premium suites, 28 Tiger Den Suites, 250 club seats, along with a 300-person Rock M Club and a 500-person Mezzanine Club.

Former Texas A&M player Jay Arnold has experienced Columbia’s unique atmosphere and recalls, “Missouri gets colder than most SEC stadiums, which stands out to me. It was a good crowd and a strong environment.”

Arnold now travels to various stadiums for his “Send Jay Away Tournament,” raising funds for food banks. He emphasizes the importance of tradition and a lively atmosphere in a great college stadium, pointing out how the Rock M in the end zone instantly connects fans to their location.

Swingle noted that one challenge for architects was to incorporate the iconic Rock M while designing the north end zone. He also believes that the renovations will amplify crowd noise, which could enhance the Tigers’ home-field advantage and support recruiting efforts.

Arnold added that the type of seating could also influence how sound travels during games, which is crucial in tight matchups. He highlighted that enthusiastic fans are often found in general seating rather than suites, impacting the overall noise and energy.

The project is on track to be completed by 2026 in time for the stadium’s 100th anniversary. For the upcoming season, the north end zone will be closed, meaning fans won’t enjoy a full 360-degree concourse. However, Swingle is optimistic, expecting that by the start of the season, about three-quarters of the steel framing will be up, with full enclosure completed by October.