Phase 1: Liberty Stadium renovations have begun

By Tim Buckley – Daily Memphian

May 29, 2024

Phase 1 of the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovation project is underway, Memphis Tigers interim athletic director Jeff Crane announced Wednesday.

The $220 million project will be completed in three phases. The first phase includes renovating the second level of suites on the east side of the stadium to create a new press box and game day operations area.

The second phase, which will begin at a later date, will include the majority of the work, including construction of a party deck in areas that currently have sideline seating.

Initial plans for the stadium renovation were announced in May 2022.

The project is funded by $120 million in state money, a $50 million donation from the family of FedEx founder Fred Smith, and $50 million in matching funds to be raised by the university. Some of that funding has not yet been secured.

Ben Cooper, vice president of Grinder, Taber & Grinder, which is partnering with lead contractor Barton Malow, said construction would begin this week.

The full project is expected to be completed before the start of the Tigers’ 2026 football season.

The stadium is home to the Memphis Tigers, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the Southern Heritage Classic, and the Memphis Showboats.