Missouri Tigers fan headed to football opener? Expect to adjust for construction
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Memorial Stadium’s $250M renovation limits north end access during 2025 games.
- Fans should adjust travel and entry plans due to stadium and I-70 construction.
- Season tickets sold out with over 40,000 sold despite reductions in student passes.
In just 10 days, Missouri Tigers football fans are going to get a glimpse inside a dramatically different version of Memorial Stadium.
Mizzou athletics director Laird Veatch said Monday the $250 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project remains on track to be completed before kickoff of the 2026 football season. The project, which centers on the north end of the stadium, is the largest renovation in MU history.
“It is moving forward really well,” Veatch said. “We are closing in on $100 million in gifts and pledges towards this project of our goal for $125 million. ... We do remain on target from a construction standpoint.”
Throughout the summer months, construction crews have made significant progress, with the work sometimes being done in 24-hour cycles. Construction will continue unabated, only pausing during games this fall.
The renovations will make the coming season different than any other. The north end of the stadium won’t have general admission tickets for the hill, nor the same concourse access. That will make it more challenging to get from one side to the other.
Veatch recommends that fans enter the side of the stadium where their tickets are situated. For the east side, that will mean entering at gates 2E through 6E, while the west-side gates are 2W through 6W. The entrances to the Walsworth Family Columns Club, the West Tower and the South End Zone will not change from last year.
With construction also taking place on Interstate 70, fans are advised to leave themselves extra time to attend games. Gates will be open two hours ahead of kickoff instead of the usual 90 minutes.
“We’re asking fans to plan ahead, particularly their walking route to the stadium,” Veatch said. “We know our fans don’t want to miss their tailgate times in particular, so they need to leave even earlier than they have in the past.”
Communication on game-day protocols will continue from Mizzou Athletics ahead of the football team’s season-opening kickoff against Central Arkansas at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28. Parking lots will open at 2 p.m. for that Thursday night game, but Saturday games will see lots open at 7 a.m.
What looks different?
Aside from the obvious changes to the hill on the North End Zone, a few more important changes are coming to Memorial Stadium in 2025.
Crews removed the video board on the north end, leaving a smaller scoreboard that sits in the construction zone to the left of the goal post. The video board on the south end will remain the same.
“That was cost prohibitive, really not a good investment of resources,” Veatch said of the north end video board.
The new LED stadium lights will display choreographed light shows between quarters or after big plays, according to a news release, and the venue’s sound systems have been upgraded, too.
“We actually purchased the new sound system already for this season,” Veatch said. “So on a temporary basis that will be brought in and be used for this season.”
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On the lawn across from the Tiger Avenue Parking Structure, a new Tiger Fan Zone is being built. It will include a large-screen TV, food trucks, beer and merchandise sales, a student tailgate and an MU Health Care Kids Zone video game truck featuring College Football 26.
Inside the stadium, a new array of concession items have been added. The bacon-wrapped hot dog in particular is drawing early raves.
“I’ve not had it yet, but I’m sure it’s going to be awesome,” Veatch said.
Shifting ticket allotments
To compensate for the absence of hill tickets, Mizzou has adjusted the ticket allotments available to fans.
The visiting team allotments have been slightly lowered, according to Veatch. The total capacity hasn’t been finalized, though it should be available by the Tigers’ first game.
Combining with student tickets, MU is expected to have sold more than 40,000 season tickets, more than last season. A total of 3,000 new season ticket-holders came onboard. Despite higher prices, season tickets officially sold out on Aug 4.
The total allotment of Zou passes are roughly 500 less than last year, Veatch said. Student tickets are now allotted by a claims process, similar to men’s basketball tickets.
“We do understand that can be challenging for students that were planning on it, but we’re going to continue to try to make as many available as we possibly can through fire codes,” Veatch said.
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