Hailey
The University of Kansas (KU) has officially opened its reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium after nearly three years of planning and construction.
This marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Gateway District, a massive development project that is transforming the university’s northern entrance. The new stadium will host its first big game this Saturday when the Kansas Jayhawks face Fresno State in a nationally televised match.
This upgraded project is not just about sports—it’s about community, student life, and campus growth. With modern facilities, advanced fan experiences, and future plans for housing and retail, the Gateway District is set to become a central hub for the KU community.
The Vision Behind the Gateway District
In October 2022, KU Athletics Director Travis Goff and KU Chancellor Douglas Girod announced the Gateway District project. The aim was to modernize the stadium, expand facilities, and create a multi-use district that benefits both students and the Lawrence community.
Fast forward to August 2025, Phase 1 is now complete and ready for fans.
Features of the Reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
The redesigned stadium includes:
- New Seating Bowl – better sightlines, closer proximity to the field, and more comfort.
- Premium Seating Options – including club areas, loge seating, and ledge suites.
- West Side Upgrades – 3,000 premium seats (already sold out), four club areas, and 42 suites.
- Improved Accessibility – upgraded concourse circulation and ADA-friendly features.
- Bigger Scoreboard – now 5,200 square feet, more than double the old size.
- Modern Concessions – new food and drink options for fans.
All these changes aim to create a better fan experience while making the stadium a national example of modern sports infrastructure.
Anderson Family Football Complex Upgrades
The Anderson Family Football Complex was fully integrated into the stadium and given a 20,000-square-foot expansion. It now features:
- A team room overlooking the field.
- New locker rooms, weight rooms, and training areas.
- Meeting rooms and a player lounge.
- A walkthrough practice room.
These upgrades support the student-athletes, giving them state-of-the-art facilities to train, prepare, and recover.
Construction Efforts and Workforce
The stadium’s transformation required massive construction efforts:
- 570,000+ hours worked on the project.
- At peak, 630 workers were on-site daily.
- 6,500 steel pieces used in building.
- 5,200 tons of structural steel installed.
- Work began in December 2023 and the stadium reopened by August 2025.
This project was designed by HNTB and Multistudio, with Turner Construction, Henderson Engineering, and Legends Project Development leading the execution.
Community and Leadership Reactions
Travis Goff (Athletic Director):
“This project shows the power of the Jayhawk community. The new stadium will have a far-reaching impact for fans, athletes, and the future of Kansas football.”
Douglas Girod (Chancellor):
“We always believed this stadium would bring huge value to our community. Now, we’re finally seeing it come alive.”
Both leaders highlighted that this is just the first step, with more development planned for the coming years.
Future Plans – What’s Coming Next
Phase 1 is complete, but the Gateway District project is far from finished. Future additions will include:
- East Side Stadium Seating Upgrades.
- Student Housing – modern apartments for KU students.
- Retail Outlets – shops and restaurants to serve fans and residents.
- Hotel – giving visitors a place to stay near the stadium.
This will not only improve the game day experience but also boost Lawrence’s economy with new jobs, businesses, and housing options.
Game Day Experience for Fans
Fans visiting the reimagined stadium can expect:
- Comfortable seatbacks on the west side.
- Access to premium lounges and clubs.
- A smoother parking and tailgating setup.
- New maps and layouts for easier navigation.
Limited tickets remain for the opening match, but demand is already very high.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Start | December 2023 |
| Project Completion (Phase 1) | August 2025 |
| Total Construction Hours | 570,000+ |
| Peak Workers | 630 |
| Structural Steel Used | 5,200 tons |
| Premium Seats (West Side) | 3,000 (sold out) |
| Suites | 42 |
| New Scoreboard Size | 5,200 sq. ft. (2.5x bigger than old) |
| Anderson Family Football Complex | +20,000 sq. ft. expansion |
The opening of the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is not just about sports—it is about the future of the University of Kansas. With new facilities, premium seating, a bigger scoreboard, and modern athlete training areas, this project is a milestone for KU Athletics.
Phase 1 of the Gateway District has set the stage for even more exciting developments, including housing, retail, and hotels. For fans, students, and the Lawrence community, this marks the beginning of a new era in Kansas football and campus life.