All-Rite Construction: New Grandstand, Bleachers & Facility Upgrades
- Several significant stadium renovation and construction projects are underway across the country, promising enhanced experiences for fans in both college and professional sports.
- In Orchard Park, New York, construction of the 2026 NFL season’s new Highmark Stadium is progressing, according to the Bills Stadium Experience website.
- Further west, Illinois is preparing to unveil what will be college football’s largest video board at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Stadium Upgrades Planned for 2026 and Beyond
Several significant stadium renovation and construction projects are underway across the country, promising enhanced experiences for fans in both college and professional sports. These projects range from massive video board installations to complete facility overhauls, with many slated for completion in time for the 2026 season, and beyond.
In Orchard Park, New York, construction of the NFL season’s new Highmark Stadium is progressing, according to the Bills Stadium Experience website. The future home of the Buffalo Bills is being designed as a fan-focused, football-first facility intended to deliver a unique gameday atmosphere.
Further west, Illinois is preparing to unveil what will be college football’s largest video board at Gies Memorial Stadium. The new display will span 17,315 square feet – measuring 69 feet by 250 feet – dwarfing the current setup. According to a release from the university, the board’s size is comparable to that at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, and is more than three times the size of the video board at Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn). The upgraded display is scheduled to debut for the season.
Michigan State University has announced the “FOR SPARTA” initiative, a $1 billion investment in student-athlete facilities. While the project encompasses improvements across multiple athletic venues, Spartan Stadium is slated for a “full facelift.” Some initial improvements, including a new video board and upgrades to portions of the home-side tower, were completed ahead of the season. A complete timeline for the stadium renovation was not immediately available.
The University of Oklahoma is moving forward with a controversial renovation plan for Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Announced in November , the “Palace Project” aims to modernize the stadium’s press box, which has been identified as outdated. However, the plan also includes reducing the number of traditional seats to make way for increased luxury seating options, a trend gaining traction in college football. The project is expected to begin after the season and be completed by .
Beyond these major projects, numerous other stadiums are undergoing renovations and improvement projects, including upgrades to video boards, seating, and other amenities. Stadium Seating Experts, a provider of bleachers and stadium seating, offers both new and used options for facilities looking to upgrade their seating capacity.
In Los Alamos, New Mexico, the city recently approved a $2.8 million renovation of a local arena, addressing concerns related to accessibility and safety. The project will focus on improving the facility for a variety of events and users.
These investments in stadium infrastructure reflect a broader trend of prioritizing the fan experience and modernizing facilities to meet the evolving demands of both athletes and spectators. As the season approaches, fans can anticipate significant improvements at venues across the country.