KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees on Friday approved a revised Neyland Stadium renovation plan that will increase the Phase I budget by over $100 million.

Director of Athletics Danny White and his leadership team reviewed the stadium project and say they have identified new strategic priorities for stadium upgrades. The revised project plan will require an increase of $108 million, resulting in an overall Phase I budget of $288 million, which will be fully funded.

The project will continue ongoing renovations like the all-new lower west sideline section and north end zone video board and party deck space which are set to be completed ahead of the 2022 football season. The anticipated project completion date of Fall 2026.

“I appreciate the Board of Trustees for understanding and supporting our revised plan and budget, which will ultimately allow for a significantly enhanced gameday experience for every fan throughout Neyland Stadium,” White said. “We’ve done a great deal of listening and learning over the past 18 months, and our fans have been instrumental in helping to shape the vision for the future of one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world.

Critical remaining elements in the plan include major upgrades to the south side and perimeters of the stadium such as widening of concourses, constructing expanded gates and entryways as well as adding restrooms and concession areas.

Changes to the plan approved in 2017 are as follows:

• Building a Stadium Wi-Fi network
• Adding two sets of letters spelling out V-O-L-S in a reintroduction of a traditional stadium feature
• Addition of private suites and lounge called ‘Founders Suites’
• Restrooms under Gate 10 ramp – provide restrooms for high-traffic entrance and hospitality area
• Add new tiered seating, food & beverage service to upper north plaza area
• Add a 12,000 sq/ft indoor club space under the new chairback seating deck in the lower west premium club
• Renovations to skyboxes to include common spaces and add operable windows
• Expand plaza entries and extend exterior concourse zones in southwest and southeast entries
• Brick cladding for exit/entryways and Gate 11 ramp to create a cohesive architectural style

The plan will maintain several aspects of the plan approved in 2017.

• South concourse 1 expansion to include new, additional bathrooms and concessions
• Kitchen, commissary and loading deck
• South concourse 2 chairback seats
• LED ribbon board replacement
• New state-of-the-art sound system
• North videoboard and plaza area
• West lower bowl chairback seating

Several previously approved renovations have been removed or put on hold under the new revised plan including a South concourse 3 expansion, new vertical center ramp to remove ramps at Gates 10 and 11, Southwest and southeast prominent gate structures, outdoor patio and social gathering areas in southwest locations and the relocation of the Checkerboard Lounge and media.