Jacksonville’s Stadium of the Future Will Drive Regional Economic Growth
The City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed on the construction of a new stadium that will not only serve as the home of the NFL franchise for years to come, but will be the centerpiece of a world-class sports and entertainment area for the Jacksonville region.
The Stadium of the Future is a $1.4 billion project that calls for “a reimagined stadium with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective structure that showcases state-of-the-art innovation. This proposal ensures the continuation of the annual traditions of the Florida-Georgia Football Classic and TaxSlayer Gator Bowl while also opening opportunities for future Super Bowls, Final Four tournaments, college football playoffs, marquee concerts and more.” Another example of Jacksonville’s strong public/private partnership, the agreement divides the funding evenly between the City and the Jaguars.
When commenting on the agreement, JAXUSA Partnership president Aundra Wallace said, “Private money follows public money, which is not only happening with this agreement but across downtown Jacksonville as well. In the last several years, the public has invested more than a billion dollars into the stadium area for hospitality and additional venues for arts, culture and entertainment. The long-term economic impact of all this work is tremendous and, above all, gives the Jacksonville region the infrastructure and facilities needed to be an unrivaled destination for both visitors and businesses.”
The agreement is set to approved by the NFL owners in October, with construction starting in February 2025. The project will take approximately three years to complete and it is targeted to open in August 2028. Even with the construction, the Jaguars are only scheduled to play one season out of Jacksonville, which showcases the innovation and ingenuity that is going into the project. EverBank will remain the title sponsor of the stadium through the 2027 season
“We continue to see major cities invest in their entertainment districts, and this shows that we are doing more than just keeping pace,” added Wallace. “Jacksonville is a high-growth market with more jobs and capital investment coming to the region every day. We’re the second hottest job market in the United States and the fourth fastest growing city, and this kind of investment coupled with these metrics demonstrate we will continue to be a world-class city.”
The Stadium of the Future represents a bold and visionary step in the evolution of the Jacksonville region. Jacksonville is poised to become a leading destination for sports and entertainment, offering an experience that will set new standards for stadiums worldwide and, in turn, drive business growth and investment in Northeast Florida.