Advertisement

3 thoughts on proposed renovations to FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium

Capacity would shrink for the second time in a decade. That’s not a bad thing.
 
Doak Campbell Stadium could look different in the coming years, if renovations are approved.
Doak Campbell Stadium could look different in the coming years, if renovations are approved. [ Times (2019) ]
Published April 2, 2021|Updated April 2, 2021

Florida State took a preliminary step toward renovating its football stadium during Thursday afternoon’s board of trustees meeting.

The board approved a plan to allow the Seminole Boosters to begin presale discussions about potential changes to Doak Campbell Stadium, such as changing and downsizing the Champions Club, adding varied seating options and reducing the overall capacity. Cost estimates and funding weren’t discussed, and formal board approval to start the project is at least a year away.

Related: Marvin Wilson doesn’t regret his final season at FSU, even if it cost him millions

Here are three random thoughts on the proposal:

1. Tampa Bay has a role in it, sort of

Raymond James Stadium has renovated its east and west club seating areas over the past four years.

Seminole Boosters CEO Michael Alford said that 70 percent of fans travel at least an hour and a half to Tallahassee for games. Not surprisingly, they’re coming from Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami and Atlanta.

“Those markets have venues that have various game-day experiences,” Alford told the board. “So our fans are accustomed to various experiences.”

Various experiences mean different kinds of seating options — clubs, suites, seats next to ledges, loge boxes, cabanas and so on. Those are the types of experiences that exist in some of the state’s pro sports venues; the Bucs renovated their west and east club areas in 2017-18, and Amalie Arena added loge seating as part of a $25 million renovation announced in 2015.

Related: Florida State’s future hasn’t looked this bright in years

Those types of experiences set a standard FSU now must meet. Consider it a reminder that college football isn’t in a facilities arms race by itself. In addition to competing against Florida and Clemson, the Seminoles are also, to some degree, clashing with the Bucs, Lightning and Rays. Speaking of the Rays …

2. If you’ve followed their stadium saga, some of this sounds familiar

Remember the Rays' plans for a stadium in Ybor City?

Back when the Rays were focused on an Ybor City stadium, they talked a lot about having different types of seating options. Team president Brian Auld had the idea of a ticket that would let you spend three innings in three different parts of the park. As our Steve Contorno wrote in 2018, the team wanted to “reinvent stadium seating. ... Think, less people sitting in linear rows, more aisles and people clustered in seats around tables.”

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

The ‘Noles aren’t going that far, nor should they. But, like the Rays, they’re thinking creatively about how to change the stadium experience. Thankfully, there is no talk of a split season between Tallahassee and Toronto.

3. College football stadiums are going to keep shrinking

The Champions Club made Doak Campbell Stadium smaller. Don't be surprised if capacity dips again. [ Tampa Bay Times ]

FSU reduced its capacity in 2016 (from 82,300 to 79,560) in the last round of major renovations. Capacity at Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium fell by 1,800 fans last year. Expected renovations would make Penn State’s Beaver Stadium smaller. The same thing will happen at Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium eventually, once updating The Swamp becomes the Gators’ top facility priority.

Related: Florida’s early 2021 college football viewing guide

Assuming FSU’s renovations become reality, its capacity will probably drop to about 70,000. That’s still big; in the ACC, only Clemson and partial member Notre Dame would seat more fans. And considering the nationwide drop in attendance and the trend toward smaller stadiums, expect more schools to follow FSU’s lead.

• • •

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.