(Jacksonville) The Jaguars are working to shorten their time away from Jacksonville during a possible $1.4 billion renovation to their home base.
Their president, Mark Lamping, made a proposal to this effect, which would reduce their absence from EverBank Stadium from two years to one.
This is a significant change that would help ease the rumble surrounding this project that would tie the team to one of the NFL’s smallest markets for several decades.
Although the draft is not final, the draft would bring the length of absence closer to what the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Twins did during their respective home renovations. Lamping said.
The city and the Jags are expected to resume negotiations over these renovations soon. Mayor Donna Deegan expressed the hope that this project would “happen sooner rather than later.”
The Jaguars unveiled a concept for their “stadium of the future” in June. This proposal calls for an open stadium with 62,000 seats under a transparent dome that would be “the equivalent of wearing sunglasses.” The city must still approve this project.
The team proposed a 50/50 cost-split between the Jags and the public, as was the $45 million amphitheater adjoining the stadium in 2017 and the club’s $120 million training complex completed last July .
Although the municipality would be responsible for this significant portion of the stadium renovation costs, substantial development in the surrounding area would bring the total cost of the project to some $2 billion. Jaguars owner Shad Khan would pick up almost the entire bill for this development.
Lamping hopes the project will be approved by next spring, so the Jaguars can make a formal presentation of the project to other NFL team owners in May.
The initial plan called for the Jaguars to spend two seasons, in 2026 and 2027, without a fixed home. The changes would allow them to play the 2026 season, but the stadium’s maximum capacity would be reduced to between 40,000 and 45,000 seats. The upper section would be closed in particular due to the removal of the access ramps during the renovations.
The Jaguars still haven’t decided where they will play in 2027. Daytona Beach, Gainesville and Orlando are the main sites being targeted. Playing several local matches in London – the Jaguars often play one per season – is not excluded, but in the end, it should not be more matches that would be played there.