Jacksonville Jaguars Reach Deal On Stadium Renovations

In 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars unveiled plans to completely redevelop EverBank Stadium and turn it into the "stadium of the future."

READ: Jacksonville Jaguars Unveil Designs For ‘Stadium Of The Future’

And on Wednesday, they moved one step closer to making those plans a reality.

Ron Salem, Jacksonville City Council president announced on Wednesday in a report in the Florida Times-Union, that the team had agreed to a deal on the stadium renovations with Mayor Donna Deegan. That deal will then be unveiled to the full city council next Tuesday at a scheduled meeting.

While Salem did announce that a deal had been reached, there were no specific details on the cost of the proposed changes, though prior estimates had suggested it would take at least $1 billion. 

"We have reached an agreement on the framework of a deal," Deegan said in a statement. "The negotiating team is currently putting the final details on paper, and we will release that information as soon as it is available."

Renovations are expected to be so extensive that the team would need to find a temporary home to play for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. 

EverBank Stadium. Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars Still Have Hurdles To Jump, But Progress Being Made

The Jaguars' lease expires in 2029, and the organization hopes to have a completed deal approved by the full city council by summer. That would give the team time before the owners' meeting in October to prepare a presentation.

It's not clear at this point how much of the estimated cost the team would cover compared to what the city would be expected to cover. As has become obvious over the past few years, public funding is often the sticking point when it comes to taking these projects over the finish line. 

The Chiefs and Royals have already threatened to leave if their stadium improvements or new construction wasn't funded by an extended sales tax increase.

READ: Royals, Chiefs Not Committed To Staying In Kansas City Without Stadium Improvements

The public still voted against funding it anyway.

Still, there's no progress without a framework for a deal and an agreement with the city. Both of those have now been reached. If the city council signs off, next steps can start, and the team can work towards financing the improvements. 

The "Stadium of the Future" is one step closer to reality.