North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction has started on Phase One of the Williams-Brice Stadium reimagination, marking the start of a multi-year renovation of one of college football’s most iconic venues. Work is scheduled to begin in December 2025, following the conclusion of the 2025 football season.
The project received approval from the State Fiscal Accountability Authority in August, clearing the way for a comprehensive upgrade focused on fan amenities, premium seating, and operational efficiency. Architectural firm Populous led studies on restroom counts, square footage per fan, point-of-sale systems, and circulation flow, revealing that multiple areas of the stadium lack adequate amenities to deliver a first-class experience.
Phase One will address critical infrastructure and concourse improvements, setting the foundation for later phases that will expand premium seating and upgrade student and general-admission areas.
The project’s general contractors are Contract Construction (Irmo, S.C.) and Manhattan Construction Company (Tulsa, Okla.), selected in February 2025 to oversee construction of the multi-phase renovation.
The reimagined stadium responds to market research conducted by Elevate in July 2024, which showed that nearly 94 percent of fans believe upgrading the stadium is important, and that Williams-Brice ranks last among SEC peers in premium seating and suite count. The renovation aims to blend tradition with modern design, providing a next-level game-day experience while improving flow, amenities, and operational efficiency.