Design and Construction Report staff writer
Construction is underway on the University of South Florida’s long-planned on-campus stadium, with activity expected to ramp up significantly following final approval of an updated project plan by the university’s Board of Trustees.
In April, USF selected Manhattan Construction Company, H.J. Russell & Company and DuCon LLC as the construction management team for the facility, following a competitive bidding process that dissolved a prior agreement with Barton Malow.
USF leadership presented a revised project cost of $348.5 million, up from the initial budget approved in June 2023. The increased cost reflects an expanded project scope, including structural upgrades to allow for future stadium expansion, additional academic space, and upgraded locker room amenities. It also accounts for rising construction costs and vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence.
The additional funds will be covered by interest earnings on the $200 million in financing previously secured through the USF Financing Corporation.
“The plan approved by the Board of Trustees represents another important milestone in the process to deliver a world-class stadium,” said USF President Rhea Law. “We are excited to see the construction take off on this iconic facility that will bring tens of thousands of fans to our campus and help build lifelong connections to USF.”
Site preparation has been ongoing since the groundbreaking ceremony in late 2024. The university plans to begin full construction activity in the coming weeks, with final inspections scheduled for spring 2027. USF aims to begin moving into the stadium in summer 2027, in time for the facility’s first events that fall.
The stadium is designed to seat approximately 35,000 fans and will feature a wide array of amenities, including premium suites, club seating, and a field-level club space with glass walls offering views of the action. New renderings released by the university show the east side of the stadium from the perspective of the north stands, including 40 “living room”-style loge seats behind the end zone and a rooftop patio near the press box.
“With our plans in place and construction preparations underway, we’ve officially entered the next chapter in delivering USF’s on-campus stadium,” said USF vice-president for Athletics Michael Kelly and USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman, co-chairs of the stadium planning committee. “This moment is the result of years of vision and planning.”
In addition to stadium construction, trustees also approved $47.9 million in infrastructure upgrades to support continued growth on the Tampa campus. The upgrades include a new lift station, water main, stormwater facility, and improvements to roads, walkways, and lighting. That work will be funded through Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds allocated in 2024 and university carryforward dollars.
The stadium marks a major milestone for USF Athletics and the broader Tampa Bay community, as the university seeks to elevate its profile and enhance the on-campus experience for students, alumni and fans.
