Will David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium open on time? What Jayhawks are saying
Kansas athletic director Travis Goff beamed with pride when asked if “phase one” of the renovations at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium was on track to finish before the start of the next football season.
“On time and on budget,” Goff told reporters on Friday. “Four words that we are really enjoying continuing to say around here. They’re working incredibly hard. The Turner team and all the subs (subcontractors) are doing outstanding work — double shifts, 600 people on site any given moment. And everything is on track for that August 23rd home opener.”
Goff said every aspect of the stadium will be fully completed and open, but the conference center attached to the greater “Gateway District” project may take some time.
According to Goff, the center will be active in the middle of the fall.
As for the anticipated seating capacity on Aug. 23? Goff reiterated what he said last fall: “40,000-something.”
Phase one of the stadium rebuilds the west, southwest and north sides of the stadium. Some of the other improvements include a new conference center on the north end, elevated seating, closer premium seating and a new scoreboard.
The scoreboard is two-and-a-half times larger than the previous one and also 60 feet closer to the field. It even has screens on both sides.
The Star, along with other media outlets, toured the ongoing construction site at the stadium Friday.
Some of the highlights included a visit to the press box, the Jayhawk Club (similar to the Kansas City Royals’ Diamond Club) and a large private entryway reserved for “premium” fans or donors.
As for what’s next for KU in phase two? The Jayhawks will work on the south and east portions of the stadium.
The goal is to add multi-use facilities that are expected to include dining options, retail space, office space and lodging.
Goff remains optimistic that everything is proceeding as planned.
“Really good work happening as we move to (the) opening of phase one obviously in August,” he said. “Great work underway as we think about moving into phase two. There’s multiple levers to that, some of it has been pretty well documented.
“Essentially, we are working on two major fronts. Certainly, fundraising — can’t get any of these types of things achieved without the right kind of donor support. It’s on the cusp of some incredible, incredible commitments to help move us into phase two and fund that aspect of phase two.”
He continued.
“The second piece is working through some of the municipal incentives, things like STAR bonds, TIFs (tax increment financing), CIDs (community improvement district bonds) and working with the city to make sure we have a successful path forward,” Goff said. “I would say both of those are within striking distance.”
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM.
