Nebraska Cornhuskers Memorial Stadium “Big Red Rebuild” for 2028

Image Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics

Nebraska Athletics has filed a new renovation plan for Memorial Stadium ahead of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents’ meeting. The Big Red Rebuild would modernize West, South, and East Stadiums, improve stadium-wide circulation, and add support spaces — and it comes with a higher price tag than the prior proposal.

South Stadium, which currently holds 23,000 seats, would be demolished and rebuilt with a large scoreboard and enhanced seating for students and the general public. The rebuilt South would include 7,000 seats reserved for students and the marching band. The plan also calls for demolition of the Schoor Center, relocation of its staff and operations, and creation of a redesigned South Plaza to serve “as a new gateway to the west edge of campus.”

West Stadium would undergo a full seating-bowl rebuild to introduce new premium seating while improving general seating. Interior renovations there would add premium clubs, upgraded restrooms and concourses, and suite-level improvements. 

East Stadium would receive replacement seating and code-driven modifications. Connectivity across levels is a central feature: a 360-degree field connection at the 100 Level, a 360-degree main concourse on the 200 Level, and a 270-degree upper concourse on the 300 Level (the 300 Level work would exclude North Stadium). 

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey

The proposal also includes new vertical transportation, more restrooms, and food-service capacity, and changes to make the venue usable for more events year-round. Upgraded concessions — reflecting a recent change in providers — would bring refreshed menus and additional points of sale throughout the stadium.

University leaders framed the project as both a preservation effort and an economic investment. Board of Regents Chairman Paul Kenney said the initiative “represents an incredible opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the entire University System and will bring real economic benefits to the state of Nebraska,” adding that Memorial Stadium “is a representation of our state’s values and traditions.”

University System President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., described the rebuild as “a multi-generational opportunity” that supports athletics and the broader academic mission, student engagement, and statewide economic impact.

Athletic Director Troy Dannen called the project “a statement about the future of Nebraska Athletics,” saying it will create a best-in-class fan experience, enable new year-round programming, expand opportunities for student-athletes, and drive revenue for the university. Construction would begin after the 2026 season and is targeted for completion in time for the 2028 season. The renovated stadium is projected to seat 80,000, about 6,000 fewer seats than today.

The Big Red Rebuild is estimated at $600 million, to be financed with at least $250 million in philanthropic support and $350 million in private bond financing. Nebraska Athletics projects the work would create more than 7,300 jobs, generate roughly $1.1 billion in statewide economic impact, and produce an estimated $95 million in additional revenue tied to the renovated stadium.

Image Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics

The $600 million figure is a notable increase from a previous $450 million plan advanced under former athletics director Trev Alberts; that earlier proposal was paused when Alberts left for Texas A&M, giving new AD Troy Dannen time for a comprehensive review and the development of this updated plan.

Built in 1923, Memorial Stadium has gone through numerous expansions and renovations across its 103-year history. It held 31,080 for the first 40 years. Capacity then climbed repeatedly in the 1960s: 1964 (44,829); 1965 (50,807); 1966 (62,644); 1967 (64,170); those projects added permanent seating in the south end zone and a press box. 

In 1972, the south end zone was expanded again, bringing capacity to 73,650, and no major changes followed for about 20 years.

After a section collapsed in 1993, repairs and updates set the capacity at 72,700 for several years. A $36 million West Stadium expansion in 1999 included a new press box. In 2006, the north end zone renovation and expansion, adding 6,000 seats and 13 luxury boxes, pushed capacity past 80,000 for the first time to 81,067.

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey

Capacity peaked in 2013 when a $65 million expansion added another 6,000 seats, including the new East Stadium 600 sections, increasing capacity to 87,170. Minor updates since 2013 have lowered capacity to the current 85,458.

The proposed capacity for the 2028 “Big Red Rebuild” renovations would see a lower projected capacity of 80,000 seats. This would be the first renovation that would reduce seating in Memorial Stadium’s 100-plus-year history.