The transformation of Kroger Field was designed with a clear, overarching goal: to elevate the gameday experience. New outdoor plazas and green spaces welcome spectators. The redesigned exterior better compliments the surrounding campus architecture and new entry gates lead visitors through concourses with enhanced concessions, restrooms and amenities. Inside the stadium bowl, the total seating capacity was actually reduced to redesign a portion of the bowl into premium suites and clubs including outdoor club and loge seating to amplify the excitement and bring fans closer to the action. A new press/gameday operations level was added to the bowl and the playing surface was replaced with new synthetic turf. New locker rooms, equipment rooms, coaches offices, recruiting/multipurpose space and a students-only endzone further elevate the experience and support the recruitment of high-caliber players.
This project earned LEED Silver, making it the first LEED-certified competition venue in the Southeastern Conference in any sport.
In 2022, the turf had reached the end of its performance life. The playing field was upgraded to a slit-film turf system with monofilament synthetic turf, which is currently being used in multiple NFL stadiums and practice facilities.
