The Jacksonville Jaguars are facing the prospect of relocating for two years or possibly longer due to extensive renovations planned for TIAA Bank Field, their current home stadium. The renovations, which were initially intended to take place only during offseasons, are now expected to extend to the 2025 and 2026 football seasons.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated that in the “best-case scenario,” the renovations would impact two football seasons, necessitating the team to play elsewhere during that time. While the Jaguars are hoping to find a temporary home within Jacksonville, the available options would significantly reduce the crowd size they can accommodate. TIAA Bank Field can hold 67,838 people, while the second-largest stadium in the city, located at the University of North Florida, can only accommodate around 12,000.
The relocation is expected to have implications beyond just the Jaguars’ games. The annual Florida-Georgia football game, which has been traditionally hosted at TIAA Bank Field, may need to alternate between each school’s campus during the construction period.
The proposed renovations aim to bring several improvements to TIAA Bank Field, including providing shade on all seats, wider concourses, enhanced vertical transportation, increased space for football operations, and the replacement of HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems.
As the plans are further developed, the Jaguars will need to carefully consider their options for temporary relocation and work with the city to minimize disruptions during the construction phase.