Memorial Stadium

[Brad]

What if the upcoming "Road Game" at Arrowhead in KC goes really well. Like sea of red and it's a great home field environment. Any chance they blow up Memorial Stadium and build something completely new and state of the art with all the bells and whistles? Meanwhile the team plays in Arrowhead for two years...

That is what should be done. Will it, not likely

Sounds like after the concession stand disaster on Saturday Night, more fans are willing to blow it up and start over.

Not going to happen. You must really hate Nebraska Football.

How does Brad's comment in any way indicate that he hates Nebraska football?

Blow up Memorial Stadium and start over?? Am I miss reading that?

No, I don't hate Nebraska Football. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fan. But as a resident of the state, I do pay attention and watch the games.

I'm just not a fan of old/outdated stadiums that have zero fan comforts. I don't care about wifi and not too concerned with all the other modern amenities. After my last visit to Memorial stadium in the early 2000's, I said I am never going back until the get rid of the bleachers and put in real seats. I still stand by that and after being in newer arenas and stadiums, I would change my stance to "real seats and wide open concourses". There's nothing really historic about memorial stadium either. Its been remodeled and added on to so many times, its just a hodgepodge of decades put together to make what the stadium is today. "Blow it up" and build something really nice seems like a lot better use of money than trying to figure out how to updated the current stadium for the 52nd time.

[djc311]

What if the upcoming "Road Game" at Arrowhead in KC goes really well. Like sea of red and it's a great home field environment. Any chance they blow up Memorial Stadium and build something completely new and state of the art with all the bells and whistles? Meanwhile the team plays in Arrowhead for two years...

That is what should be done. Will it, not likely

Sounds like after the concession stand disaster on Saturday Night, more fans are willing to blow it up and start over.

I'm willing to give them a few games leeway. It's a new company and has to manage new alcohol sales.

That is NOT an excuse they can use. They fell on that sword and lost that excuse when they made the change and said that they partnered with the industry's best, which was in a significant % of all major venues. If they knew what they were doing, there would only be minor missteps. This was a total fail.

Agreed - they're not reinventing the wheel. All of this should have been relatively simple to implement.

Regarding stadium comforts (or lack thereof), I have always thought it's hilarious how they sized seats. I think they sat a class of 3rd graders on a bench to mark how wide a space you get to sit down.

I'm probably very much jumping the gun here, but the last time Nebraska put up points like they did this past weekend was in 2012 against Idaho State. They finished Big 10 play 7-1, and 10-4 overall. If they really are turning things around, they'll be able to keep filling the seats for awhile regardless of how unhappy the fans are with concessions and splinters in fans' butts.

[nebport5]

What if the upcoming "Road Game" at Arrowhead in KC goes really well. Like sea of red and it's a great home field environment. Any chance they blow up Memorial Stadium and build something completely new and state of the art with all the bells and whistles? Meanwhile the team plays in Arrowhead for two years...

That is what should be done. Will it, not likely

Sounds like after the concession stand disaster on Saturday Night, more fans are willing to blow it up and start over.

Not going to happen. You must really hate Nebraska Football.

How does Brad's comment in any way indicate that he hates Nebraska football?

Blow up Memorial Stadium and start over?? Am I miss reading that?

No, I don't hate Nebraska Football. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fan. But as a resident of the state, I do pay attention and watch the games.

I'm just not a fan of old/outdated stadiums that have zero fan comforts. I don't care about wifi and not too concerned with all the other modern amenities. After my last visit to Memorial stadium in the early 2000's, I said I am never going back until the get rid of the bleachers and put in real seats. I still stand by that and after being in newer arenas and stadiums, I would change my stance to "real seats and wide open concourses". There's nothing really historic about memorial stadium either. Its been remodeled and added on to so many times, its just a hodgepodge of decades put together to make what the stadium is today. "Blow it up" and build something really nice seems like a lot better use of money than trying to figure out how to updated the current stadium for the 52nd time.

Reasonable thinking(particularly from an engineering standpoint) except college fans and especially Husker fans have more sacred feeling toward the structure and its history. Thus, the perpetual adding and modifying. People are still throwing a shat fit about losing Runza and Valentino’s even though they're still available. Can you imagine the armageddon among Husker nation by removing their “through these gates…” shrine? Even if you could convince fans building a new stadium is the economically sensible choice there are way too many season ticket holders(particularly older) who wouldn’t stand for having to go to K.C. for home games in the interim. I know many NFL teams and fans have been down this path before and new stadiums usually prevail except in cases like Lambeau and Soldier Field until recently where they decided to just not play their anymore, which is a whole other shat storm.

[Linkin5]

It would be a crime to tear down Memorial. I understand if you’re not a fan where it makes sense but there are way too many memories and too much history in that place to build something else.

[Louie]

It would be a crime to tear down Memorial. I understand if you’re not a fan where it makes sense but there are way too many memories and too much history in that place to build something else.

I am in this boat as well. It's history, location, and past greatness of teams warrants that it remains. I'd prefer it to get a real proper facelift with regular seats.

[Trips1]

Nebraska got greedy and when the service is bad, people are not going to be happy.

When a Runza or Val's was $5 cash, it was a 10-15 second transaction. Now you have to pay $7+ tax on a credit card and it is a 60-90 second transaction. For as much as I dislike Iowa, they have their beer and concession sales down.

[damonhynes]

I remember in the mid-70s, there was a discussion about building a new stadium along the interstate in Ashland. Ironic that if that stadium had come to pass, it'd be time to replace it now!

But the hue/cry at the time was that a college football stadium should be on campus. I understand that. Also, big-time college teams playing in pro stadiums had a patchy track record:
SMU managed to attract nice crowds to Texas Stadium in Irving--until the NCAA Death Penalty...
The University of Minnesota used the Hump in downtown, and the place was a mausoleum on Saturdays.

Fast forward to today, with the Big 64™ acting as de facto AAA farm teams for the NFL. I can envision a future where the student body is priced out of attending college football games, and new-money fans will expect NFL-level amenities from their stadiums, including access to major metropolitan areas. Maybe not in twenty years, but I think it's likely in fifty.

[omaha79]

I remember in the mid-70s, there was a discussion about building a new stadium along the interstate in Ashland. Ironic that if that stadium had come to pass, it'd be time to replace it now!

But the hue/cry at the time was that a college football stadium should be on campus. I understand that. Also, big-time college teams playing in pro stadiums had a patchy track record:
SMU managed to attract nice crowds to Texas Stadium in Irving--until the NCAA Death Penalty...
The University of Minnesota used the Hump in downtown, and the place was a mausoleum on Saturdays.

Fast forward to today, with the Big 64™ acting as de facto AAA farm teams for the NFL. I can envision a future where the student body is priced out of attending college football games, and new-money fans will expect NFL-level amenities from their stadiums, including access to major metropolitan areas. Maybe not in twenty years, but I think it's likely in fifty.

I always felt in the 80's that pie int he sky Husker dome idea was championed by Omaha people who hated driving all the way to Lincoln for Husker football. But, I remember as a child, this being talked about all the way to maybe the late 80's. Good thing it never happened, for all the reasons listed.

I feel like maybe they wanted to combine UNO/UNL a bit more but real estate people at the time seemed to like to say this could help Omaha get an NFL team too. it would have been a disaster.

[djc311]

Nebraska got greedy and when the service is bad, people are not going to be happy.

When a Runza or Val's was $5 cash, it was a 10-15 second transaction. Now you have to pay $7+ tax on a credit card and it is a 60-90 second transaction. For as much as I dislike Iowa, they have their beer and concession sales down.

Went to the Michigan game... not sure how the first and second game went for concessions checkout (obviously a lot of people complaining about it), but it was awful. So if the current state is better than weeks 2 and 3, I feel very bad for them. You had to stand on the ramp coming from the stands to wait in line - and then you didn't even know for sure what line you were standing in. Thankfully, we chose the correct one, but it still took over 30 minutes. Plus people kept popping out from behind the drink coolers at the stand we were at, cutting the line - I don't even know where they were coming from or how they got behind them.

Considering it's supposed to be new and improved, I'd have to say it's slow and sucks. The line we were in didn't have food (only drinks), so we were going to skip trying to buy pizza or hot dogs. Thankfully there was a person with a carrier just standing next to the line so we grabbed a couple slices.

I'm good with not going to a game for at least another year or so... I guess I'm getting old, because to me, it's not worth the hassle.

[skinzfan23]

I heard it was horrible for the first game, and based on your info, prob for the MI game too. I went to the HCU game and it was fine. They had self-checkouts, and just like the grocery store, if the user doesn't follow instructions, there can be hold-ups. When we went during the 2nd quarter we only had to wait 5-10 min and the checkout was very quick. We went back to get a gatorade in the 3rd quarter and there was only about 5 people in front of us and it took less than 3 min.

[nebugeater]

I was at the Akron game (#1) and the Michigan game (#3), and in my opinion, there was no improvement. I sit in section 2

The "improved" change is a complete disaster.

[Trips1]

I complained after the first game and volleyball match about the concessions so I have to post something positive. The club level for the HCU game was great.

Positives: Took under 45 seconds to get a beer. (It was really hot out)
They also changed the tip screen to disappear after a few seconds if you do not select an option.
Cell phone coverage actually worked during the game. This is a huge improvement.

Negatives: No vendors in the stands.
They did check my ID but did not give a wristband.

Fun Fact: A wristband should always be placed on the right hand. For a lot of events I worked at you could always tell a minor drinking if they had it on their left. Most people hold their drink in the right hand so it is easier to see. If someone borrows a friends band, it is easier to slip it on their left hand and tells the workers they are a minor.

[djc311]

I complained after the first game and volleyball match about the concessions so I have to post something positive. The club level for the HCU game was great.

Positives: Took under 45 seconds to get a beer. (It was really hot out)
They also changed the tip screen to disappear after a few seconds if you do not select an option.
Cell phone coverage actually worked during the game. This is a huge improvement.

Negatives: No vendors in the stands.
They did check my ID but did not give a wristband.

Fun Fact: A wristband should always be placed on the right hand. For a lot of events I worked at you could always tell a minor drinking if they had it on their left. Most people hold their drink in the right hand so it is easier to see. If someone borrows a friends band, it is easier to slip it on their left hand and tells the workers they are a minor.

Interesting on the bands; was not aware of that!

Regarding the service speed, when we were at Michigan (which was obviously after the HCU game), service was incredibly slow. Granted we weren't in club level, but I'm simply speaking of my experience. I didn't see anyone issuing bands, so not sure if they're simply ID'ing every time you order, or what.

As for phones - those also were not working well... not at all. We have Verizon, which I would "think" should have more than adequate coverage in the Lincoln/stadium vicinity. The lack of coverage was apparent outside by Champions Club, while waiting at the gates to enter the stadium and also while on our 6" of bench space

Hopefully they're simply dealing with growing pains with the new concession setup and process and things significantly improve. If this is how it's going to be from here on out, then I'll likely try to not buy anything from the concessions. It's not worth losing a quarter of gametime to get 2 beers, IMO.

[Greg S]

In south end zone, they added a few portable stations for beer and such between the first and second games. That really helped.


Greg

[djc311]

In south end zone, they added a few portable stations for beer and such between the first and second games. That really helped.


Greg

That's where we ordered our beer from... but the line was so long it went up the ramp. And we didn't even know if we were in the right line until after about 10 minutes. If those helped, I would have hated to see how things went before these were added.

I did think the technology was cool - place your drinks on the platform and it scans it all at one time. But since there's alcohol, the human still has to ID us, which makes sense... I don't know it actually sped things up by much.

[nebugeater]

The new plan is out and set to go before the BOR on April 24

https://huskers.com/news/2026/4/17/univ ... al-stadium

The renderings are in the UNL release

[skinzfan23]

Here are the renderings:

[nebugeater]

Set to start after the 2026 season if approved and be completed before the 2028 season. Press releases says 80,000

The redesigned stadium will offer improved access, seat comfort, enhanced sightlines, and upgraded amenities throughout the entire stadium. A newly connected East and West bowl that allows 360 degrees on the main concourse will make it easier than ever to move throughout the stadium, an important priority for Nebraska fans. Seating 80,000 fans after full completion in time for the 2028 season, the plan includes an additional 20,000 new chairback seats to elevate comfort, and 7,000 seats dedicated to Nebraska students and band members. Nebraska’s students are a very important part of the game-day experience at Memorial Stadium, and the noise and excitement associated with the newly relocated student section will help create a strong competitive advantage for Nebraska Football. Expanded concessions and restrooms will reduce wait times, while improved ADA accessibility will ensure that every fan can be part of the game-day experience.

[nebugeater]

Here are the renderings:

Thanks

Hadn't got to that yet and now I don't need to!

[nebugeater]

The new budget is $600 million. Need to go back and check, but from memory, the previous was just over 400 million. In the end, it will not be a surprise, it is closer to 800

[almighty_tuna]

Wow that is certainly not what I expected to see. Should be cheaper for UNL with 80k seats since they won't have to float all the comp tickets to keep the sellout streak, lol

[djc311]

Wow that is certainly not what I expected to see. Should be cheaper for UNL with 80k seats since they won't have to float all the comp tickets to keep the sellout streak, lol

I was looking for how the new upper levels are accessible for fans. I can't see where they drew anything in for stairwells, ramps, etc. Guess you just climb up with a ladder?

[Garrett]

Wow that is certainly not what I expected to see. Should be cheaper for UNL with 80k seats since they won't have to float all the comp tickets to keep the sellout streak, lol

I was looking for how the new upper levels are accessible for fans. I can't see where they drew anything in for stairwells, ramps, etc. Guess you just climb up with a ladder?

Parachute in during the flyover

[Early Involvement]

She's back........

[GenX]

She's back........

This is great, but I wish they’d enclose that upper seating framework so it matches the east and west sides.

[nebugeater]

She's back........

This is great, but I wish they’d enclose that upper seating framework so it matches the east and west sides.

donate a couple hundred million and I bet they consider it! ;)

[buildomaha]

Thoughts on the renderings released?

[GenX]

She's back........

This is great, but I wish they’d enclose that upper seating framework so it matches the east and west sides.

donate a couple hundred million and I bet they consider it! ;)

Ha!!

[Brad]

This is great, but I wish they’d enclose that upper seating framework so it matches the east and west sides.

I think you need to go look at the stadium again. All 4 sides are different. North and West look mostly similar but you can see under the stands on the two ends of the north stadium. East stadium has a lot more brick and you can see under the stans on the top level.

[GenX]

This is great, but I wish they’d enclose that upper seating framework so it matches the east and west sides.

I think you need to go look at the stadium again. All 4 sides are different. North and West look mostly similar but you can see under the stands on the two ends of the north stadium. East stadium has a lot more brick and you can see under the stans on the top level.

I suppose you’re right, thanks for pointing out what I missed. I’m used to seeing the west side and assumed the east side was the same.

[Erik]

Thoughts on the renderings released?

The program doesn't care about the product. Im almost completely apathetic to anything they do now.

[omahahawk]

Has anybody heard anywhere if any of these updates would allow for the ability to put on concerts easier and have more of them?

[Greg S]

Has anybody heard anywhere if any of these updates would allow for the ability to put on concerts easier and have more of them?

I imagine that is part of the core design. When they backtracked on switching to natural grass I figured the concerts/events contributed to that.

[GrowUpFrances]

Thoughts on the renderings released?

The program doesn't care about the product. Im almost completely apathetic to anything they do now.

This. $600M? For a mediocre (at best, from what's been revealed) stadium upgrade/downgrade in capacity? All for a program that continues to underperform? I don't get it.

[Brad]

Why does everyone get all bent out of shape about the reduced capacity (not just on this forum, but everywhere). Stadiums everywhere are reducing the capacity.

[djc311]

Why does everyone get all bent out of shape about the reduced capacity (not just on this forum, but everywhere). Stadiums everywhere are reducing the capacity.

It doesn't bother me now - it would have during their prime in the mid-late 90's... but it's strategic. They struggle to sell out today. It's an ongoing joke that they continue the sellout streak. I don't know the logistics behind it, but they're not selling out under normal/high demand conditions like they once did.

They need to reduce capacity to keep the stadium full - also, they (I think) are finally realizing how terrible of an experience it is to sit in most parts of the stadium. Getting to and from seats stinks, going to the RR during the game is terrible. And of course sitting on a 2x6 board sucks, too.

If I were one of the 80 year old donors who is losing their "legacy seating", I'd probably be upset, too. However, if they want to keep people coming to the games from younger generations, they need to make changes. I went to one game last year which was Michigan. Took over an hour standing in line to get into the stadium, which had never been a problem for me in the past. Also, it was the first season they were able to sell alcohol and it was a disaster. I simply decided I won't go back until I hear it's a better-handled experience. Until then, I'll continue to park my butt on the couch and watch us lose from home in a much more comfortable environment.

[OverlookedFarm]

The question is.... how long until the powermakers within NU call it by it's name and say the quiet part out loud.

Who are they fooling? Only the hardcore supporter as far as I can tell. Can those hardcores pay all the bills and more when asked to jump and how high?

They aren't fooling anybody outside of the state, any casual fans or potential new markets.

Success fixes everything. However due to the nature of "college" sports today, there will be no success.

I may have underestimated the power of the Lincoln echo chamber all these decades.

[remline]

Any chance we could use the $600 million to pay some top players to come to Nebraska?

[nebugeater]

Any chance we could use the $600 million to pay some top players to come to Nebraska?

Nope

Different buckets

[Linkin5]

Why does everyone get all bent out of shape about the reduced capacity (not just on this forum, but everywhere). Stadiums everywhere are reducing the capacity.

I can only speak for myself but less seats will drive up the cost of season/secondary market tickets. I know Dannen has said that lower end tickets will either be the same or cheaper than now but I am skeptical.

With that said, I completely understand why Nebraska would make this decision as the demand is not what it once was. Even though all tickets are sold (and “sold” is a dubious term for some games/recent years) the gate numbers tell a different story and they’re hoping comfort can lure in people.