NFL owners unanimously approved Jacksonville’s $1.4 billion “stadium of the future” on Tuesday, a decision that ensures the Jaguars will remain in one of the league’s smallest markets for at least another 30 years.
As the Jaguars (1-5) prepare for their second consecutive game in London, this approval puts to rest years of speculation about the team possibly relocating.
“Actions speak louder than words,” owner Shad Khan said. “And I think we’re going to have some real action.”
The project needed the support of 24 out of 32 owners, and it was considered such a sure thing that Khan and team president Mark Lamping were allowed to skip the meetings to avoid 12 hours of travel from London to Atlanta.
The Jaguars didn’t expect much opposition, even though the financial split—55% from the city—is higher than what most NFL owners usually contribute for new or renovated stadiums.
“I’m gratified but not surprised,” Khan said. “We’ve been working on it for a long time. We’ve talked to all the owners one-on-one. Obviously, (commissioner) Roger (Goodell) has been highly supportive, a big part of it. I think it’s great to get to this point.”
Both sides will contribute $625 million toward the $1.25 billion project. Jacksonville won’t impose any new taxes to fund its share and will also provide an extra $150 million for maintenance to prepare EverBank Stadium for construction.
Pre-construction work is set to begin in February. The Jaguars expect to play in front of a slightly reduced capacity in 2025, a significantly smaller crowd (no upper deck) in 2026, and then host home games in Gainesville or Orlando the following year. They may also play several home games overseas, in London and possibly Ireland.
The renovation deal with the city allows the Jaguars to host up to six home games outside the U.S. between 2025 and 2027. They can play a maximum of three games in the first two years and three more in 2027.
This project will also impact the annual Florida-Georgia game and the Gator Bowl. Florida and Georgia have chosen to host their rivalry in different cities for several years, with Atlanta expected to host in 2026 and either Miami, Orlando, or Tampa in 2027. The Gator Bowl plans to take place in Jacksonville in 2026 and may be held in Gainesville in 2027.
The stadium plan includes a 30-year lease, a non-relocation agreement, and rules that limit how many games the Jaguars can play outside of Jacksonville.
Under the new lease, the Jaguars will play all their preseason and postseason home games in Jacksonville and continue to have one home game each year in London, likely at Wembley Stadium.
The Jaguars have agreed to cover any construction cost overruns, manage the day-to-day operations of the stadium, and pay 80.4% of game day expenses moving forward.
The proposed stadium will have 63,000 seats and an open-air design with a translucent covering that helps keep it cooler, as Lamping explained, like “wearing shades in the sun.” It is expected to reduce outside temperatures by 15 degrees.
Capacity could increase to 71,500 for special events like the Florida-Georgia game, a College Football Playoff game, or the Final Four. There will also be pools and a party deck in the north end zone.
The stadium will be the highlight of a new entertainment district in downtown Jacksonville. A Four Seasons hotel and residential project is already being built, along with a new office building for the Jaguars, a shipyard project that will feature a modern marina, and plans for a University of Florida satellite campus that could bring 10,000 graduate students to the area.
