Big Score!
UT Austin tackles football stadium renovation and scores major upgrades
Spending a Saturday watching football is one of Austin's great rites of passage, but the experience is about to get even better. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin is set to undergo a major renovation — and score some big upgrades.
On September 20, Texas Athletics announced that DKR is slated for a series of expansion and renovation projects designed to enhance the fan experience, as well as benefit players and coaching staff. Included in the $175 million project is the expansion of the south end zone, a move that will enclose the stadium for the first time in its 95-year history.
With Missouri-based architecture firm Populous at the helm, DKR's other renovation upgrades include:
- New entry towers
- A Longhorn-shaped balcony designed into the end zone seating and visible from the air
- Student concession areas and eating patios overlooking the field
- Upgraded offices for coaching staff
- New stage for Longhorn Network's GameDay show and visiting networks
- Specially designed premium experiences such as field-level club seats and seats next to the Bevo corral
"The modern game day experience is about quality, not quantity. Fans want unique experiences in an authentic place," said Sherri Privitera, Populous' principal-in-charge for the project, in a release. "This is a game-changing project. From fully enclosing the stadium for a more intimate atmosphere to the impactful in-seat Longhorn logo, it is the ultimate celebration of The University of Texas."
The DKR renovation project is set to begin in summer 2019 and scheduled for completion before the first kickoff of the 2021 football season.