If you walked into the old David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium three years ago, you knew the vibe. It was historic, sure. It also felt like watching a game inside a very large, very gray concrete salad bowl. The track around the field made you feel like you were watching the game from a different zip code.
That version of Kansas football is officially dead.
Right now, in early 2026, the Kansas new football stadium—part of the massive Gateway District project—is a construction site of two halves. If you drove past 11th and Mississippi today, you’d see the gleaming, finished West side standing in stark contrast to the dust and cranes currently eating the East side.
The Mid-Renovation Reality
Honestly, the timeline is a bit of a whirlwind. KU just finished Phase 1 in August 2025, which saw the West and North stands completely rebuilt. We’re talking $450 million worth of concrete, steel, and luxury suites. Then, almost immediately after the 2025 season ended in November, the wrecking balls came out again.
As of January 2026, the East grandstands are being demolished.
Demolition started in mid-December 2025. It’s aggressive. University of Kansas CFO Jeff DeWitt has been pretty vocal about the "aggressive" part. The goal is to have the lower bowl of that East side ready for the 2026 season kickoff. If they miss that window, things get awkward, but they’ve been hitting their marks so far.
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Why the Capacity Numbers Look Weird
You've probably noticed the seating numbers don't seem to add up. For decades, the stadium sat about 51,500 people. Last season, while the West side was brand new, the capacity actually dropped to around 41,500.
People panicked. They thought KU was "shrinking" the program.
That's not really what's happening. They are trading quantity for quality. The old aluminum bleachers that used to crush your lower back? Mostly gone. The new seats have 50% more legroom. They are wider. Basically, if you aren't a sardine, you'll appreciate the change.
Once the East side is finished—hopefully by the 2027 season for the upper bowl—the total capacity is expected to settle back around 47,000 to 48,000. It’s a slightly smaller footprint, but it's much tighter. The first row of seats is now four feet higher off the ground, and everything is shifted 80 feet closer to the sideline.
It is way more than just a stadium
One thing people keep missing is that this isn't just a place to play six or seven Saturdays a year. The "Gateway District" name isn't just marketing fluff.
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There is a 55,000-square-foot conference center built directly into the North end. It opened in November 2025. You can literally host a wedding or a corporate tech summit overlooking the 50-yard line. Governor Laura Kelly was even there for the ribbon cutting, emphasizing that this is an economic play for the whole state, not just a toy for the athletic department.
The next big piece? A 150-room hotel.
It’s slated to be connected to the northeast corner. Imagine waking up, grabbing a coffee, and walking onto a balcony that looks directly into the end zone. They are also planning student housing and a massive parking garage that isn't underground anymore (turns out that was too expensive) but will be integrated into the apartment buildings.
What to expect for the 2026 season
If you’re planning on going to a game this fall, keep your expectations for "convenience" low. It’s going to be a construction zone.
- The West Side: This is the "gucci" side. All seatbacks, 42 luxury suites, and those three fancy club levels.
- The East Side: This will be the "work in progress" side. Expect the lower bowl to be open, but the upper reaches will likely still be structural steel and scaffolding.
- The South End: For now, it remains the open end with the iconic view of the Hill and the Campanile. They did install a massive new video board—2.5 times larger than the old one—which helps fill the void.
The "per-seat donation" model is also fully in effect now. That's the part fans usually grumble about. Instead of just buying a ticket, you’re often paying an "all-in" price that includes a mandatory donation to the Jayhawk Ridge fund. It’s how they’re paying off the $800 million total price tag.
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Is it actually working?
The skeptics said Kansas would never fill a renovated stadium. They were wrong. For the 2025 season, KU sold out nearly 90% of their premium seating before the first brick was even laid.
The "New Booth" feels like a professional venue. The concourses are wider, the bathrooms don't have lines that stretch to Topeka, and the food options have quadrupled. It’s a far cry from the days of a soggy hot dog and a cold bleacher seat.
The most important thing to watch this year is the fundraising for Phase 2. While they’ve secured big gifts—like the $25 million from the DeBruce family—the university is still actively looking for more donors to finish the retail and hotel portions. Chancellor Douglas Girod even joked at a recent event that he’d be "calling" everyone in the room for more money. He wasn't really joking.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Buy early: With capacity hovering around 42,000 for 2026, sellouts are becoming the norm, especially for Big 12 matchups.
- Visit the Preview Center: If you're confused about the new seating, there’s a preview center at 11th and Mississippi in the HERE complex. You can literally sit in the new seats to see if they fit your vibe before dropping cash on a season ticket.
- Check the map: Parking is a nightmare right now because of the East side construction. If you don't have a reserved spot, look into the shuttle services from West Campus.
The days of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium being a "hidden gem" because it was old and quiet are over. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it’s finally becoming the gateway the university has wanted for half a century.