FSU football: Thoughts on the Doak Campbell Stadium Renovations.

Is FSU doing the right thing in reducing capacity at Doak Campbell Stadium?

One of the most important parts of my job as a writer is to get the pulse of the FSU fan base on any and all topics related to our beloved university. As I have perused social media, one topic seems to have divided the FSU faithful; the Doak Campbell Stadium renovations. On the surface, it seems implausible for the fan base to be divided about something that will help the university as a whole.

The entire west stands will be taken out and replaced. The replacement seats are expected to be more spacious and comfortable. The concourses and concession stands are expected to be completely overhauled in order to improve flow and service. New restrooms are going to be built and higher quality lighting and safety equipment will be added. According to those close to the athletic department, the entire metal structure supporting the west end of the stadium must be replaced. I have been told that it was put off as long as possible, but cannot be ignored any more.

The east side is also expected to undergo a significant overhaul as well. The seats on that side are expected to be widened, and handrails are being added to the aisles for safety purposes. This aspect of the project is expected to be completed before the 2024 season. In addition, the Champions Club seating will be reconfigured to better accommodate to the collegiate level. The new seating will have box-level options and include drink rails.

These renovations as a whole appear like they will significantly improve the game day experience for all FSU fans. Why does there seem to be a divide between our fans?

One of the biggest consequences of the renovations are the new price points that the athletic department is expecting to introduce for the new seats. The pricing may include a one time contribution of $2500-$15,000 depending on the location of the seat. The lower and mid-level boosters that have sat at certain seats for decades are understandably not happy at being potentially priced out of their seats.

Unfortunately, in this new era of college football program are going to have to create as many different revenue streams as possible. The new premium seating options are expected to generate significant revenue for the athletic department, which will be important to FSU’s goals as a program. The additional revenue allows FSU to compete at the highest levels of college football. Another point of contention about the renovations is that there are fans who believe the game day experience that FSU will be diminished due to a reduced capacity.

Attendance at NCAA football games has steadily declined over the last decade. Many schools in FSU’s position are no longer expanding their stadiums. Instead, they are doing the exact same thing Florida State is doing by reducing capacity to offer premium and club seating. The reduction of capacity at stadium does not mean that the game day experience will be cheapened.

If anything, the game day experience will be enhanced. The seats will be roomier, and the concourses and concession stands are going to be built in a more efficient manner. The fans will almost certainly be happier at not having to wait 30 minutes to use the bathroom. Fans not having issues with concessions, seating, and the bathrooms will lead to them having a better overall experience, which will in turn make them cheer harder.

it is my sincere belief that the new stadium renovations will be a significant net positive for the Florida State football program. The new premium seating options will generate significant revenue for the university and the rest of the renovations will create an overall better game experience for the fans that attend games in person. This is an exciting time for the university and I look forward to seeing the completed infrastructure when we play Alabama to open the 2025 season.