The transformation of Raymond James Stadium continues. Earlier this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced plans to overhaul the venue’s East Stadium Club and Atrium.
The latest renovation to Raymond James Stadium will see the Buccaneers focus on improving one of their premium spaces. When completed, the East Stadium Club (shown above) will sport several changes, highlighted by a new 8,000-square-foot, full-service bar in the East Atrium. The renovated East Stadium Club will feature two bars at each end of the club lounge, redesigned fixtures, padded stadium seating and various technology upgrades, including 162 televisions.
While this project represents the latest effort by the Buccaneers to refine the Raymond James Stadium experience, it is very much a part of a larger trend. Marking the latest component of a $160-million renovation to the stadium, this project will build on the renovations that have taken place over the last couple of offseasons by improving technology and offering a refined fan experience.
Prior to the 2017 season, the Buccaneers focused on improving the West Stadium Club, which received renovations similar to what are about to take place in the East Stadium Club. Along with that improvement, Raymond James Stadium also received an overhauled press box and expanded home locker room.
Those upgrades came after the Buccaneers completed various changes before the 2016 season, highlighted by the installation of two new main video displays. Also included in the broader emphasis on video and technology improvements were four tower HD tower displays in each of the stadium’s corners, along with two ribbon displays.
With the mixture of upgrades that are either on their way or already in place, Raymond James Stadium will certainly offer a refined experience for Buccaneers’ games. However, the venue is also poised to be better positioned to host major events, including the Super Bowl.
In a pinch, the NFL announced last year that Raymond James Stadium will host Super Bowl LV in 2021. That announcement was made after it was apparent that the opening of the new Los Angeles Stadium–the originally scheduled host of Super Bowl LV–would be delayed to 2020, but Tampa and Raymond James Stadium offered some inherent advantages.
Raymond James Stadium has hosted the Super Bowl on two previous occasions, the most recent of which was Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. Along with its pedigree, Raymond James Stadium will offer both a mix of technology upgrades and refined premium areas that will allow it to be better positioned to matchup against upcoming Super Bowl hosts such a Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) and Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) as well as the event’s more recent site, U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Buccaneers and Raymond James Stadium still have a long way to go until 2021, but the changes taking shape now should ensure that the facility offers the amenities needed for the Super Bowl.
Rendering courtesy Tampa Bay Buccaneers.