NFL owners on Tuesday voted to unanimously approve the $1.4 billion renovation of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ EverBank Stadium.
With the approval, construction on the “Stadium of the Future” project is set to begin in February 2025 and is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2028 NFL season.
“The venue will be world-class by every definition,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “It will impressively serve the Jaguars and their fans, attract major sports and entertainment events to our region, and serve as an economic catalyst for decades to come.
“It also means a new and vibrant Downtown Jacksonville that once may have seemed unimaginable will indeed come to life. I am grateful to all who believed, and especially so to everyone who did the hard work to make this happen. We have much more work hard ahead, but a lot to be proud of today. Celebrate!”
The renovation, which is being jointly funded by the City of Jacksonville and the Jaguars, represents the franchise’s commitment to remaining at its current home as it includes a new leasing agreement.
The Jaguars have been a mainstay of the NFL’s International Game series, prompting rumors that the team could be eyeing a permanent move to London. As part of the lease agreement, the Jaguars will play one home game in London, aside from any other international games the NFL requires, each year beginning in 2028.
According to multiple reports, the deal allows Jacksonville to play up to six home games internationally during the construction period, 2025 to 2027.
The Jaguars will play in EverBank Stadium during the first two years of the renovation with a planned reduced capacity beginning in 2026. They’ll play the 2027 season away from Jacksonville at a yet-to-be-determined stadium. The agreement allows the Jaguars to play three international games that season, per multiple reports.
Jacksonville is preparing for its second straight game in London this week, as the Jaguars are scheduled to play the New England Patriots after their Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears.
(Photo: Don Juan Moore / Getty Images)