The decision could tie the franchise — the subject of relocation speculation — to Jacksonville for another 30 years.
The owners of the NFL unanimously approved on Tuesday the “stadium of the future” for the Jacksonville Jaguars of $1.4 billion, a decision that should keep the club in one of the league’s smallest markets for at least another 30 years.
With the Jags (1-5) preparing to play the second of two consecutive games in Londonthe owners of the NFL They essentially ended decades of speculation that the franchise was a possible relocation candidate.
24 of the 32 owners were needed to approve the project at the league’s fall meetings in Atlanta and was considered highly unlikely.
Los Jaguars They established a 55-45 financial split for construction with the city, higher than most property owners in the city. NFL they contribute to new or renovated stadiums.
Each party will pay $625 million for the $1.25 billion project. Jacksonvillewill provide another $150 million in deferred maintenance so that the EverBank Stadium be ready for construction.
Pre-construction work is scheduled to begin in February. The Jaguars They hope to play in front of a slightly reduced capacity in 2025, a significantly reduced capacity (no top deck) in 2026 and then host home games in Gainesville u Orlando the following year. They could also play several home games abroad, in London and possibly in Ireland.
The renewal agreement with the city allows the Jaguars play up to six home matches internationally between 2025 and 2027, with a maximum of three during the first two years and up to three more in 2027.
The project will also affect the annual game Florida-Georgia and the Gator Bowl; Florida y Georgia have pushed their rivalry for consecutive years, with expected destinations such as Atlanta in 2026 and Miami, Orlando o Tampa in 2027. The Gator Bowl plans to play in Jacksonville in 2026 and potentially in Gainesville in 2027.
The stadium plan includes a 30-year lease, a non-relocation agreement and a provision limiting the number of games the stadiums can play. Jaguars can play outside Jacksonville. Under the new lease, the Jaguars they would play all preseason and postseason games at home in Jacksonville and would continue to play one home game a year in Londonprobably in the stage of Wembley.
Los Jaguars They agreed to assume all construction cost overruns, daily stadium operations and 80.4 percent of game day expenses going forward.
The proposed 63,000-seat open-air stadium includes a translucent cover as it is expected to lower outside temperatures by up to 15 degrees.
Capacity could expand to 71,500; pools and a party deck will remain in the north end zone.
The stadium will be the centerpiece of an entertainment district in downtown Jacksonville. A Four Seasons hotel and residence project is currently under construction, as well as a new office building for the Jaguarsa shipyard project that will include a modern marina and, finally, a satellite campus of the University of Florida that would attract 10,000 graduate students to the area.
