Crews are hard at work to finish improvements to the University of Notre Dame’s Stadium before the first home game on September 2.
The biggest change is the giant video board occupying the south end of the stadium. It has the most pixels per inch of any outdoor venue in college sports.
There also a new press box, in-house cellular and wifi network, and upgraded media capacity with cameras and a renovated press box.
Wall graphics of old photographs, new wayfinding signs with images from vintage programs and tickets, and repurposed wood bleacher seat accents give the space a classic sports vibe.
Doug Marsh is the Vice President of Facilities Design and Operation. He said changing the bleachers will give fans some more space.
“Last season we began to replace the redwood bleachers we did that in the upper bowl that was added 20 years ago we have since then, this offseason replaced all the planking bleachers on the lower bowl and in the midst of that, widened each seat by two inches.”
Widening the seats will drop the capacity by about three thousand, but upgrades to box seating and the addition of an elite clubhouse at the south end make up some of it.
Marsh says the opportunity to upgrade the stadium came with the construction of new buildings around it.
“While it’s terrific to add these facilities that will activate every single day of the year not just the days we host football, or commencement or blue and gold spring game,” Marsh said. “But [this is] an opportunity while we’re at it to improve the gameday enhancement experience for our fans.”
Marsh says the upgrades are on track to be finished for Notre Dame’s first home game.