GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida is planning the most expensive — and potentially most comprehensive — stadium renovation in college football history, a $1.45 billion overhaul of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.The Gators unveiled details and renderings of the burgeoning project before a board of trustees meeting Thursday, providing the total budget (up from $400 million) as well as a start date (2027 offseason) and a completion date (2030 offseason).“This $1.45 billion project will breathe new life into one of the nation’s most iconic college football venues and elevate it into the premier collegiate athletic destination that sets the standard for everyone else,” the board said in a statement.Florida first started looking at ways to upgrade the nearly 100-year-old stadium dubbed “the Swamp” in 2018. The process was delayed by COVID-19 and ended up morphing into a long-term solution instead of a short-term fix.
The venue generates roughly $75 million a year from the stadium from tickets, concessions, parking and contributions and could double revenue with an upgraded facility — extra cash that could help the Gators be more competitive in football and their other 20 sports.
