Kansas Memorial Stadium prepares for 2025 season upgrades

Kansas football faces a year of big transitions as Memorial Stadium undergoes major renovations. The Jayhawks played home games at Arrowhead Stadium and Children’s Mercy Park, and even bused students to KC to maintain a strong fan presence. Construction is on schedule, with the final steel beam placed and stylish new seats installed—featuring a "K Flag" design and better comfort for fans. Athletic director Travis Goff emphasized the project is on time for an August 2025 season opener with a capacity of around 40,000.

As the team looks ahead, new partnerships, like potential on-field sponsorships from companies such as Johnny’s Tavern, signal exciting opportunities for the future.

Local chain Johnny’s Tavern is in Creekside. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: JOHNNY’S TAVERN FLOATS IDEA FOR ON-FIELD SPONSORSHIP AT RENOVATED KU FOOTBALL STADIUM

On-field advertising could be coming to college football and one Lawrence establishment has a plan for the KU Jayhawks. | Published June 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas Jayhawks football coach Lance Leipold speaks to the media during Wednesday’s Big 12 Media Days session at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. By Candice Ward

NO. 2: WHY KANSAS JAYHAWKS FOOTBALL COACH LANCE LEIPOLD IS READY FOR GAMES IN KC, KCK

KU’s drive to build a consistent winner (and stadium) in football takes Jayhawks to GEHA Field at Arrowhead and Children’s Mercy Park this fall. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Construction crews continue work on David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, home of the KU Jayhawks’ football team, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lawrence. Crews are completely rebuilding the west side of the stadium, which should be complete in time for the start of the 2025 football season. A conference center is being added to the north bowl of the stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 3: HOW IS KANSAS FOOTBALL’S STADIUM RENOVATION GOING? HERE’S AN UPDATE (AND PHOTOS)

When will David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse be ready for action? KU athletic director Travis Goff spoke Thursday. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

A look at the KU football bus program to get students to games in Kansas City.

NO. 4: AS KANSAS FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR GAMES IN KC, JAYHAWKS WILL BUS STUDENTS TO GAMES

Here’s what the Jayhawks have announced regarding plans for KU football games in Kansas City. | Published July 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels speaks during Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. By Candice Ward/file photo

NO. 5: KANSAS JAYHAWKS TEAMMATE SAYS QB JALON DANIELS ISN’T JUST BACK. HE’S EVEN BETTER

Here’s an update on Kansas football (and quarterback Jalon Daniels) as preseason camp gets underway. | Published July 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self during the second half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center on March 23, 2024. By Rob Gray

NO. 6: KU BASKETBALL ENTERTAINING PROSPECTS AT HOME FOOTBALL GAMES, DESPITE RELOCATION TO KC

Two Kansas recruits traveled to KC to sit with current KU basketball players during the opener. Another prospect will attend Friday’s game. | Published September 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

NO. 7: KANSAS JAYHAWKS PLACE LAST STEEL BEAM FOR PHASE 1 OF FOOTBALL STADIUM RENOVATIONS

Excitement was literally in the air Thursday as the final steel beam was placed for phase one of the ongoing overhaul of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Lawrence Arnold (2) runs with the ball against UNLV Rebels DB Jalen Catalon (1) in the second half on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. UNLV defeated KU 23-20. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 8: WHY KU FOOTBALL IS EXCITED TO PLAY AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM, HOME OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

For many KU football players, playing at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — home of the KC Chiefs — is a surreal feeling. | Published September 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Renovations at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence are progressing on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, as part of a $450 million project. The first phase, targeting the north and west sides which are seen here, includes elevated seating, closer premium seating, and a new conference center By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 9: SEE PROGRESS ON KU’S MEMORIAL STADIUM. ON SCHEDULE TO SEAT FANS FOR 2025 HOME OPENER

Renovations to Memorial Stadium at the University of Kansas are on schedule as the project heads into the winter months. | Published November 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad Shreyas Laddha

Kansas players, including quarterback Jalon Daniels (6), leave the field after a win over Colorado at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 10: HOW LANCE LEIPOLD’S KANSAS JAYHAWKS RESCUED A SEASON ON THE BRINK: ‘THEY OWNED IT’

Lance Leipold acknowledges “what could have been.” But KU football’s season tells another story. | Published November 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

A contractor works on lighting as part of the renovations to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. The renovated stadium is scheduled to be ready for the 2025 football season with the home opener set for Saturday, August 23, 2025, against Fresno State. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 11: SEE HOW NEW SEATS IN KU’S RENOVATED MEMORIAL STADIUM ADD STYLE TO JAYHAWKS’ FOOTBALL HOME

The seats being installed in the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium are part of special touches being added to the design of the home of the Jayhawks. | Published April 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad

A view of the ongoing renovations at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence on Friday, April 25, 2025. Media members were given a tour to show the progress of construction on the stadium. By Dominick Williams

NO. 12: WILL DAVID BOOTH KANSAS MEMORIAL STADIUM OPEN ON TIME? WHAT JAYHAWKS ARE SAYING

The Star got an inside look at KU football’s stadium renovation Friday. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.