EverBank Stadium sits on the banks of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, serving as the home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars since the franchise’s inaugural 1995 season. Built on the site of the old Gator Bowl Stadium and completed in under 20 months at a cost of $121 million, the facility was designed by HOK Sport—now known as Populous—and opened on August 18, 1995, with a preseason game against the St. Louis Rams.
Over its three decades of operation the stadium has gone through several naming rights agreements, cycling from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium to Alltel Stadium, EverBank Field, and TIAA Bank Field before returning to the EverBank Stadium name in 2023. Beyond Jaguars football, it has long hosted the annual Florida–Georgia college rivalry game and the Gator Bowl, and in 2005 welcomed Super Bowl XXXIX before a crowd of 78,125 fans.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Opened: August 18, 1995
- Capacity: 67,814 (expandable to about 82,000 for major events)
- Surface: Tifway 419 Bermuda grass
- Original Cost: $121 million
- Super Bowl Hosted: Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)
- Record Attendance: 85,413 — Florida State vs. Alabama, September 29, 2007
A Stadium Built for Jacksonville’s Big-League Moment
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium was purpose-built to secure the city’s NFL expansion franchise, breaking ground on January 3, 1994, and opening just 20 months later. Architect HOK Sport designed an open-air bowl with natural Bermuda grass that would complement the waterfront setting on the St. Johns River. The $121 million project was split between the Jaguars organization and the City of Jacksonville, which retains ownership of the facility to this day, with ASM Global serving as operator.
From its earliest seasons the stadium proved adaptable: when Jaguars attendance lagged in the mid-2000s, tarps were installed to reduce visible empty seats, shrinking the effective capacity below 70,000. After the team’s strong 2017 playoff run the tarps came down, restoring the full 67,814-seat configuration that stood until the current renovation era began.
A $1.4 Billion Transformation Under Way
In February 2025 the Jacksonville Jaguars launched the most ambitious renovation in the stadium’s history, a $1.4 billion overhaul branded the ‘Stadium of the Future.’ The project calls for a 360-degree open concourse, a sweeping shade canopy over the seating bowl, and a redesigned energy-efficient facade intended to dramatically improve the fan experience in Florida’s heat. During the 2026 season the stadium will operate at a reduced capacity of about 42,507 seats to accommodate active construction, and the Jaguars are expected to play the 2027 season at Camping World Stadium in Orlando while work continues.
Once complete—targeted before the start of the 2028 NFL season—the renovated venue is planned to seat around 62,000 fans for NFL games, expandable to approximately 71,500 for college football and large-scale concerts. The project is expected to anchor the Jaguars in Jacksonville for the next 30 years and position the stadium as a candidate for future Super Bowls and other marquee events.
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EverBank Stadium FAQs
What NFL team plays at EverBank Stadium?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been the primary tenant at EverBank Stadium since the franchise entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1995.
Has EverBank Stadium hosted a Super Bowl?
Yes. Super Bowl XXXIX was played at the stadium on February 6, 2005, with the New England Patriots defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 24–21 in front of 78,125 spectators.
When will the EverBank Stadium renovation be finished?
The $1.4 billion ‘Stadium of the Future’ renovation began in February 2025 and is projected to be completed before the 2028 NFL season. The Jaguars are expected to play away from Jacksonville during the 2027 season while construction is at its most intensive.
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Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.