When many people think of football in Jacksonville, the first thing that comes to mind is the historic Gator Bowl, played in the city since 1946. But since 1995, professional football has also been firmly rooted in the community with the arrival of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Long before the Jaguars took the field, Jacksonville had pursued an NFL franchise. During the 1970s and 1980s, there were discussions about relocating teams such as the Baltimore Colts or the Houston Oilers to the city, but neither move materialized. In 1989, local leaders formed the organization Touchdown Jacksonville! to formally pursue an expansion team.
Professional football in Jacksonville moved closer to reality in 1991 when the National Football League announced plans to expand by two franchises. Five cities competed for the teams: Charlotte, St. Louis, Baltimore, Memphis, and Jacksonville. To strengthen its bid, Jacksonville needed to either construct a new stadium or significantly renovate the existing Gator Bowl. Negotiations initially stalled in July 1993, seemingly ending the city’s chances. However, local officials quickly revived discussions and ultimately committed $60 million to rebuild the stadium. On November 30, 1993, the NFL awarded Jacksonville an expansion franchise.
Construction of the new stadium began on January 3, 1994, on the site of the old Gator Bowl and was completed just 19½ months later in time for the 1995 season. Originally named Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the Jaguars played their first game there on August 18, 1995. The stadium features two primary grandstands along the sidelines with two tiers of seating, while the lower deck fully surrounds the field.
The venue has undergone several name changes over the years. In 1997, Alltel purchased the naming rights, renaming it Alltel Stadium. After reverting briefly to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in 2007, it became EverBank Field in 2010 when EverBank acquired the naming rights. Following EverBank’s acquisition by TIAA Bank, the venue was renamed TIAA Bank Field in 2018. In 2023, the stadium’s name returned to EverBank Stadium.
Ahead of Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, the stadium received $47 million in upgrades, including a larger videoboard and the 25,000-square-foot Bud Zone sports bar in the south end zone. Today, EverBank Field features approximately 10,000 club seats along with several fan-focused spaces such as the Fan Entertainment Zone, Bud Light Party Zone, and Touchdown Clubs. The stadium also hosts major events beyond Jaguars games, including the annual Florida–Georgia college football rivalry and the Gator Bowl.
In 2013, the Jaguars announced another major round of upgrades, completed before the 2014 season at a cost of $63 million. The project installed two massive HD videoboards in each end zone, each measuring 55 by 301 feet—among the largest in the world. One of the most distinctive additions was a pair of wading pools and a two-story party deck with 20 cabanas overlooking the field. To create this social space, more than 9,500 seats were removed from the north end zone. The stadium now seats about 67,000 fans for Jaguars games but can expand to more than 82,000 for major events.
In June 2023, the Jaguars unveiled plans for a sweeping “Stadium of the Future” transformation of EverBank Stadium and the surrounding sports complex. While the existing structural bowl will remain, a dramatic new exterior will wrap the stadium, featuring a translucent canopy designed to provide shade and reduce interior temperatures by as much as 15 degrees. The project also includes a subtropical park surrounding the venue, expanded concourses, and new social, entertainment, dining, and hospitality spaces.
In June 2024, financing was approved for the $1.4 billion renovation project, with the City of Jacksonville covering roughly 55 percent of the cost and the Jaguars funding the remaining 45 percent. Construction began after the 2025 season and conclude before the 2028 season. During construction, the stadium’s capacity will be reduced in 2026, and the Jaguars are expected to temporarily relocate for the 2027 season while work is completed.
Aerial of EverBank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars
