The Jacksonville Jaguars are gearing up for their preseason home opener against the Carolina Panthers, which also serves as a glimpse into their current playing environment at Everbank Stadium. The stadium is undergoing significant renovations as part of a $1.4 billion project dubbed the "Stadium of the Future," expected to be completed by the 2028 season.
Due to the ongoing construction, seating capacity has been reduced to 42,500, with seats removed from the upper section to facilitate the installation of large steel trusses that will support a new transparent canopy. Three cranes are currently positioned outside the stadium, and lights previously located atop the stadium have been relocated to the upper section.
Defensive end Travon Walker expressed his enthusiasm for playing in front of fans, stating, "What it's going to feel like? To me, it's going to feel like football." He emphasized that despite the construction, the essence of the game remains unchanged.
The Jaguars will play in this limited capacity for two preseason games and six regular-season games, with two of their home games scheduled to take place in England.
Jaguars officials opted to keep the team at home during construction after holding 28 town hall meetings with fans, who expressed a desire not to relocate for two years. Unlike other teams, such as the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills, the Jaguars did not have a nearby stadium option.
Mark Lamping, the Jaguars president, managed to adjust the construction schedule to allow for one season at home before the team moves to Camping World Stadium in Orlando for the 2027 season.
