University of Kansas Opens $400M Football Stadium Reconstruction

The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced that the $400-million reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is complete in time for the 2025 football season, according to a news release. The university partnered with Turner Construction Company on the project. The university celebrated the stadium’s opening with the team’s first official practice on the new field.

Reconstruction work involved the partial demolition and rebuilding of the stadium’s structure, as well as adding new press boxes, club space and suites, concessions, retail space, and a fan experience zone, the news release reports. The stadium also has a new entrance at the intersection of 11th and Mississippi Streets to serve as a gateway to the campus.

“We are so grateful to Turner Construction for their incredible efforts on the transformed David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium,” said University of Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff. “It was inspiring to watch the countless Turner employees work tirelessly, regardless if it was snowing or a blistering 100-degree heat. They completed the job on time, on budget and in a first-class fashion. Their exceptional executive leadership, under Abrar Sheriff, and committed on-site employees have had a huge hand in bringing this vision to a reality."

Besides athletic events, the new stadium will serve as a year-round campus destination for conferences, entertainment events, and retail and dining space. Construction also included an addition and renovations to training spaces and administrative offices at the Anderson Family Football Complex, built by Turner in 2008.

"It has been an honor to be a part of this transformational project for the University of Kansas that will have a lasting impact on the City of Lawrence, the State of Kansas, and the entire region,” said Jason Brown, Project Executive, Turner Construction Company. “This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our Turner team, our valued trade partners, and the skilled onsite workforce. Together, they worked around the clock, safely logging more than 1.6 million work hours. Their tireless commitment and craftsmanship have helped create a destination that will serve KU fans, students, and the community for generations to come.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.