Ground has been broken on the University of North Carolina’s Jerry Richardson Stadium expansion project, marking the start of a highly anticipated transformation to the stadium.
Charlotte Athletics said Director of Athletics Mike Hill was joined by dignitaries for the ceremonial ground-breaking, which fittingly took place with pickaxes instead of shovels.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US) is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US. The flagship of the University of North Carolina system, it is considered a Public Ivy, or a public institution which offers an academic experience similar to that of an Ivy League university.
The first expansion of the 15,314-capacity Jerry Richardson Stadium will provide additional access to Chalotte 49ers football games and significantly upgrade the fan experience by offering club seating, loge boxes, hospitality suites, an outdoor terrace, and mezzanine club as well as the traditional Press suite level.
The initial stages of this project will push capacity over 18,000 while the ultimate objective of Phase I is to accommodate over 30,000 fans.
Hill said, “What an incredible day for Charlotte Athletics, for our University and our community.
“The response to our expansion plan has been nothing short of tremendous. Today, those plans begin to take shape. Over the next two seasons, with as little interruption to the game-day experience as possible, our team will be hard at work delivering something truly special.”
Construction has already begun, with completion expected in spring 2027. The expansion project will add a new tower above the current press box that will feature premium seating, including suites, loge boxes, ledge seating, an indoor club, and a terrace.
The new tower will also allow Charlotte Athletics to activate the stadium for additional community events and provide year-round access to Charlotte student-athletes for dining purposes.
During construction, Richardson Stadium’s capacity is not anticipated to be impacted, but modifications to the game-day experience are expected.
Construction has already begun to expand Gate 3 on the west endzone to alleviate pressure from the closure of Gate 2 following the game on Sept. 6 against North Carolina.
Charlotte Athletics has partnered with global premium experiences company Legends to lead sales strategy, execution, and marketing to maximize revenue generation for premium and general seating associated with the expansion.
Legends will operate from a new space at the CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City which will serve as the hub for the local sales team.
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