TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida’s long-awaited on-campus stadium project has cleared another significant hurdle, with the Board of Trustees today approving an updated plan that paves the way for full-scale construction to commence.
Alongside the approval, the university released an exciting new rendering offering a fresh perspective of the future home of the Bulls, which remains on track for a fall 2027 opening.
The revised plan outlines a total project cost of $348.5 million, an adjustment from the figure approved in June 2023. University leadership explained that the increased investment will accommodate several key enhancements to the stadium’s scope.
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These additions include design and structural upgrades specifically intended to facilitate future expansion beyond the initial 35,000-seat capacity. The plan also incorporates the build-out of valuable academic space within the facility, a vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence, and upgraded locker room amenities for student-athletes.
Officials also cited the general increase in the cost of goods over the past two years as a contributing factor to the revised budget. The additional funding will be sourced from interest earnings generated by the $200 million in financing previously secured by the USF Financing Corp.
Since the formal groundbreaking ceremony in late 2024, site preparation has been steadily progressing. With the Board’s latest approval, the project team is poised to accelerate their efforts. Further site clearing is scheduled for May, with full construction activities expected to ramp up shortly thereafter.
The current timeline anticipates final inspections to be completed in the spring of 2027, allowing USF to move into the state-of-the-art facility during the summer months in preparation for its inaugural events in the fall of 2027.
“The plan approved by the Board of Trustees represents another important milestone in the process to deliver a world-class stadium that the USF community and all of our supporters can enjoy for generations to come,” exclaimed USF President Rhea Law. “We are excited to see the construction take off on this iconic facility that will bring tens of thousands of fans to our campus, help build lifelong connections to USF and allow even more people to experience everything our university has to offer.”
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USF also unveiled a new rendering of the stadium today. The image showcases the east side of the stadium, the side opposite the student section, from the vantage point of someone seated on the north side. This fresh perspective offers detailed views of the premium suites and club seating options, as well as the press box and an inviting rooftop patio area.
Notably featured are approximately 40 “living room” style loge seats, providing an up-close experience from behind the end zone. The rendering also includes a field club with expansive glass windows, offering an opportunity for fans to cheer on the Bulls as they take the field on game day.
“With our plans in place and construction preparations underway, we’ve officially entered the next chapter in delivering USF’s on-campus stadium, set to open in 2027,” jointly stated USF Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly and USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman, who serve as co-chairs of the stadium planning committee. “This moment is the result of years of vision and planning. We are grateful for the passionate support of our donors, alumni, fans and the greater Tampa Bay area community — this stadium is being built by and for USF, and we can’t wait to take this next big step together.”
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