The University of South Florida(USF) on-campus football stadium is a planned sports facility intended to provide a dedicated home venue for the university’s football program while supporting athletics and campus activities. The project has an estimated development value of approximately $340 million.
The University of South Florida has selected Manhattan Construction Company, H.J. Russell & Company, andDuCon, LLC as the construction management team for the project following a competitive procurement process.
According to the university, the selected team has experience delivering collegiate and professional sports venues, as well as projects within the Tampa Bay region. The companies have also previously collaborated with the stadium’s design consultant, Populous, on multiple projects.
Project representatives indicated that additional details regarding the stadium’s design and features will be released as the design process progresses. The $348.5M USF on-campus football stadium is gradually advancing as the project unveils its latest renderings. In a post on social media, USF Athletics shared a video of the stadium renderings. It features a look at stadium seats, a rooftop deck and premium seating areas that includes club seats and suites. It also entails two types of box seating, all of which cater to a range of fans and donors.
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Other Projects
Another major project taking shape is the Buffalo Bills New Highmark stadium. Governor Kathy Hochul, the Buffalo Bills and Erie County announced Tuesday that the new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park is complete. The 60,108-seat, open-air stadium spans 1.6 million square feet on a 242-acre site. Officials also said the project is the largest construction project in Western New York history. Moreover, it will keep the Bills in Western New York for the next 30 years. The stadium’s first public event is scheduled for August 8, when the Bills hold their Blue & Red practice under the lights. More than 600 guests attended a celebration outside the stadium.
The Buffalo Bills New Highmark stadium project is being celebrated as a monumental achievement in New York. More than $250 million in contracts were awarded directly to regional Western New York MWBE firms, according to the announcement. “Today, we are not just opening a stadium; we are cementing the Buffalo Bills’ rightful place in Western New York for generations to come,” Hochul said.
About the CM team
Projects the team has worked on include football stadiums for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and the ongoing renovations at Florida State University. Manhattan also provided construction management services for enhancements to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa in 2016.
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When will USF’s new on-campus stadium open?
USF’s on-campus stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2027 college football season. The university expects to host six to seven football games each fall in the facility and also use the stadium to host university and private events including seasonal concerts, sporting events and festivals.
To be located on the University’s Sycamore Fields intramural sports area, the new stadium currently is envisioned as a 615,000-sq-ft, 35,000-seat facility and will be home to both the USF football and women’s lacrosse teams, and host concerts, graduation ceremonies and other events.
In 2022, the university opened a new indoor practice and performance facility with a full-size field, strength and conditioning center, nutrition center and player lounge.
Having an, on-campus stadium goes beyond football. It will create a vibrant and shared campus experience that enhances the university’s culture, spirit and sense of community throughout the year. This stadium will serve as a gathering place for students, staff and faculty to come together and express their love for USF. Additionally, it will attract alumni and community members to campus to enjoy its beauty and energetic atmosphere. Ultimately this stadium will become a hub, for creating lasting memories across generations reminding us of why USF’s exceptional and fueling our enthusiasm for the university.
The original design for USF’s on-campus football stadium
The original designs are the starting point and may be refined as the design process progresses and more specific design features are decided. In addition to the original visuals shared by USF here are some key details about the new stadium;
- A layout from east to west that aims to offer shade during daytime events.
- A special section for students located in the part of the stadium designed uniquely for USF with Bull horns and student friendly amenities.
- An open walkway circling most of the stadium allowing fans to catch glimpses of the field while heading to concessions or restrooms.
- A spacious tailgating area on the side of the stadium.
- Various high end seating choices, like suites, loge boxes and club areas.
The current design for USF’s on-campus football stadium incorporates the feedback the university gathered through listening sessions with dozens of stakeholder groups, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Additional unique stadium features will be disclosed as the design process progresses further into its advanced stages.
With Populous Architects—a subcontractor on the original design-build team that is staying on as the stadium’s lead designer—USF said in December that pivoting to a construction manager approach would provide the university with “more direct access to all design elements…and more control over cost efficiencies.” It also would provide schedule flexibility to ensure the new stadium and its support services are fully operational in time for the 2027 college football season.
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