Honestly, if you haven’t driven past 11th and Mississippi lately, you might not even recognize the place. For decades, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium was basically a concrete bowl that felt a bit like stepping back into 1921—which, to be fair, is when it was built. But as of early 2026, the vibe in Lawrence has shifted from "charming relic" to "massive construction zone that actually looks like a Big 12 powerhouse."
There’s a lot of chatter about the new KU football stadium and the "Gateway District." Some of it is hype, but some of it is genuinely confusing for fans trying to figure out where they’re actually going to sit this fall.
The 2026 Reality Check: Construction Isn't Over
Here’s the thing most people are missing: the stadium isn't "done" just because the flashy west side is open.
As we move into the 2026 cycle, KU is entering a tricky middle ground. Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitt recently confirmed that while the lower bowl of the east side should be ready for fans in 2026, the upper sections are going to remain a work in progress through the 2027 season.
It’s gonna be a bit messy.
You’ve got a finished, high-end west side and a north end that looks like a luxury hotel, but the east side is still going to be swarming with cranes. Chancellor Douglas Girod has been pretty firm about the fact that KU won't be moving games to Kansas City like they did during the 2024 season. They want to be home. Even if it means playing in a stadium that feels like a $450 million jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing.
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Why the Capacity Drop Actually Matters
For years, KU fans bragged (or complained) about a 50,000-plus capacity. Those days are gone.
Basically, the school traded quantity for quality. The "new" stadium capacity is hovering right around 40,000 to 41,000. Why the drop?
- Leg room: They finally realized humans have knees. Seat rows are deeper, which naturally kills the total seat count.
- The "Luxury" Pivot: A massive chunk of the footprint is now dedicated to nearly 2,300 club seats and suites.
- The Hill: The new jumbotron is 2.5 times larger than the old one. It’s glorious for replays, but it pretty much eats the iconic view of "The Hill" that used to define the north end.
It’s a trade-off. You get 50% more room per seat, but tickets are going to be a lot harder to snag for the big games. If you’re used to just walking up to the gate for a non-conference game against a mid-major, those days are likely over.
The "Gateway" Is More Than Just a Field
What’s really wild is that this isn’t just about football. They are building a 150-room hotel connected to the northeast corner.
Think about that. You could literally wake up, walk out of your hotel room, and be inside the stadium conference center in about 30 seconds. That conference center is already open, by the way—55,000 square feet of space that the university hopes will turn Lawrence into a mid-week destination for tech and pharma conventions, not just Saturday tailgates.
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Travis Goff, the Athletics Director, has been vocal about the "year-round" mission. They don't want a building that sits empty 358 days a year. They want a "district." This includes plans for student housing, retail, and a parking garage that was originally supposed to be underground but is now being built into the first two floors of the new student apartments.
The Money Talk (The Part Nobody Likes)
We can’t talk about the new KU football stadium without mentioning the price tag. We’re looking at a $450 million project.
David Booth—the guy whose name is on the front—dropped a staggering $75 million gift recently to keep Phase 2 moving. But even with that, the university has been open about needing more. There’s another round of fundraising happening right now.
And then there’s the local politics. The City of Lawrence approved nearly $95 million in tax incentives, which didn't exactly sit well with everyone. Some faculty members and locals are worried the university is prioritizing a "sports palace" over academic needs or neighborhood traffic concerns. It's a valid tension. 11th Street is basically a bottleneck on a good day; add a hotel and a sold-out stadium, and you've got a logistical headache that the city is still trying to figure out.
What Fans Need to Do for the 2026 Season
If you’re planning on heading to Lawrence this year, you need to change your strategy.
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First off, parking is a nightmare. With the new garage still under construction and surface lots being eaten up by retail footprints, you’re better off parking downtown and taking the shuttle.
Secondly, check your tickets. The "per-seat donation" model is fully in effect now. This means the price you see isn't just the ticket; it’s a bundle that includes a mandatory contribution to the Williams Education Fund. It makes the "all-in" price higher than what most long-time fans are used to.
Lastly, the sightlines are completely different. The first row of seating is now 4 feet higher off the ground than the old stadium. If you’re used to being right on the turf, you’ll be looking "down" on the action more than you used to. It's better for seeing the whole play develop, but it feels a bit more "pro" and a bit less "high school bleachers."
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Secure Tickets Early: With capacity capped near 40k and the east side still under construction, sell-outs are the new norm. Don't wait for the secondary market.
- Visit the Preview Center: If you're considering a donation or a season ticket, go to the Preview Center at 11th and Mississippi. You can actually sit in the new seats and see if the extra legroom justifies the price jump.
- Plan for 11th Street Closures: Expect the area around the stadium to be pedestrian-only for several hours before and after games. If you usually drive right up to the gate, that's not happening anymore.
- Monitor Phase 2 Updates: Keep an eye on the official Gateway District site. Construction schedules for the hotel and student housing are fluid and will impact which gates are open on game day.
The era of "Memorial Stadium" as a sleepy, aging bowl is officially dead. What’s replacing it is a high-stakes bet on the future of KU’s place in the Big 12. It's louder, tighter, and a whole lot more expensive, but it’s definitely not the same old Kansas football.