Memorial Stadium Enhancements

[AZ Hoosier]

https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/iu-is-soliciting-feedback-on-next-round-of-enhancements-to-memorial-stadium/

What do y'all think? What should be the next upgrade?

[Pagoda]

Now that the site is back up, below is what I would do if I were IU. 

I think there is some low hanging fruit here.  There is room to put more seats closer to the field, could total maybe 500 to 1,000 total seats.  The ROI to do this I think would be good: not very expensive to add seats in these areas and these seats would sell for higher prices.

After that, it's bigger and more expensive projects.  There is the press box that's gotta be replaced soon, suites/premium seating if there's enough corporate demand, and maybe more general seating for the plebs like me if there is enough demand.  I'm sure IU wants to do all of these, but it's more fundraising dependent.  I wonder if these projects could include some classrooms/labs for sports science or sports med or something like that allows funding to partially come from IU and not just the athletic dept.  A little creativity can help with funding...

[68Hoosier]

31 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

Now that the site is back up, below is what I would do if I were IU. 

I think there is some low hanging fruit here.  There is room to put more seats closer to the field, could total maybe 500 to 1,000 total seats.  The ROI to do this I think would be good: not very expensive to add seats in these areas and these seats would sell for higher prices.

After that, it's bigger and more expensive projects.  There is the press box that's gotta be replaced soon, suites/premium seating if there's enough corporate demand, and maybe more general seating for the plebs like me if there is enough demand.  I'm sure IU wants to do all of these, but it's more fundraising dependent.  I wonder if these projects could include some classrooms/labs for sports science or sports med or something like that allows funding to partially come from IU and not just the athletic dept.  A little creativity can help with funding...

All good ideas.  The stadium has come a long way from just a few short years ago.  Excited to see where it goes next.  

[Magnanimous]

It’s the press box by a mile. We can add “seats through suites” as the first step to expand the stadium’s capacity. Virginia Tech essentially has the same stadium foundation as us (along with Wake Forest and I think Vanderbilt). You can see how much their press box enhances the feel. I would love something like this in Memorial Stadium.

VT also expanded their seating in the end zones. Our last two stadium expansions won’t allow for something like they have, but if attendance holds for the next 5-7 years I think we can consider adding additional seats in the south end zone next to where the video board is. 

[Pagoda]

23 minutes ago, Magnanimous said:

It’s the press box by a mile. We can add “seats through suites” as the first step to expand the stadium’s capacity. Virginia Tech essentially has the same stadium foundation as us (along with Wake Forest and I think Vanderbilt). You can see how much their press box enhances the feel. I would love something like this in Memorial Stadium.

VT also expanded their seating in the end zones. Our last two stadium expansions won’t allow for something like they have, but if attendance holds for the next 5-7 years I think we can consider adding additional seats in the south end zone next to where the video board is. 

Yes, I'd think is most likely -- build up behind the stands.  Like you noted, Wake did this, and it looks nice.

   

If we do this with our superb north endzone architecture that matches the rest of the campus it will look excellent.

Oh yea, we could really use a new sound system.  And while we're at it we should add those LED screens and lights that flash, sync up to the PA, and do all sorts of stuff that helps the atmosphere.  Can't hurt and it's not that expensive.

[Hovadipo]

1 hour ago, Pagoda said:

Now that the site is back up, below is what I would do if I were IU. 

I think there is some low hanging fruit here.  There is room to put more seats closer to the field, could total maybe 500 to 1,000 total seats.  The ROI to do this I think would be good: not very expensive to add seats in these areas and these seats would sell for higher prices.

After that, it's bigger and more expensive projects.  There is the press box that's gotta be replaced soon, suites/premium seating if there's enough corporate demand, and maybe more general seating for the plebs like me if there is enough demand.  I'm sure IU wants to do all of these, but it's more fundraising dependent.  I wonder if these projects could include some classrooms/labs for sports science or sports med or something like that allows funding to partially come from IU and not just the athletic dept.  A little creativity can help with funding...

A is tough...those corners are really tight and contain all the entrances to the underbelly of the stadium. Not sure what else we can do there besides upgrade the little bar seating they threw in this year.

B is a must. Those "suite" tent things are hideous. Looks like something we would've done during COVID.

C would be awesome, but in the meantime I'd love to see a big-ass ribbon board installed above those seats. Kinda like Purdue and MSU have above their endzones opposite their videoboards. Add some on either side of the NEZ castle too. Can never have too many ribbon boards.

[Lebowski]

56 minutes ago, Magnanimous said:

It’s the press box by a mile. We can add “seats through suites” as the first step to expand the stadium’s capacity. Virginia Tech essentially has the same stadium foundation as us (along with Wake Forest and I think Vanderbilt). You can see how much their press box enhances the feel. I would love something like this in Memorial Stadium.

VT also expanded their seating in the end zones. Our last two stadium expansions won’t allow for something like they have, but if attendance holds for the next 5-7 years I think we can consider adding additional seats in the south end zone next to where the video board is. 

I was going to get in here and almost say the same exact thing. Back in my salad days, I had the luxury of attending some football camps in Blacksburg and Bloomington and played on both fields. So many similarities between both facilities. VT had a slight leg up at the time. They had in indoor practice field while IUFB did not. The current seating capacity at Lane is 65.6K for those wondering. 

I don't think Memorial would be able to add seats like Lane though. The pic above is a view of the north end of the stadium. The south is a lot bigger and has roughly 11k seats. 

In my opinion, upgrades to the press box should be the priority. 

[Hovadipo]

I think we're getting closer and closer to completely blowing up the west side and playing a season (two?) at Lucas Oil.

I'm all for it, for the record.

[Lebowski]

30 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

I think we're getting closer and closer to completely blowing up the west side and playing a season (two?) at Lucas Oil.

I'm all for it, for the record.

The Dude abides!!!

[Magnanimous]

34 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

I think we're getting closer and closer to completely blowing up the west side and playing a season (two?) at Lucas Oil.

I'm all for it, for the record.

Another option is we move the press box to the east side (shorter side, like VT). 
 

One option I would hate is if we start stacking one side’s seats much higher. Maryland did that  and their stadium looks terrible as a result. Even Oklahoma and LSU did that to an extent, although their stadiums are a bit more balanced because of their sizes.

[Hovadipo]

3 minutes ago, Magnanimous said:

Another option is we move the press box to the east side (shorter side, like VT). 
 

One option I would hate is if we start stacking one side’s seats much higher. Maryland did that  and their stadium looks terrible as a result. Even Oklahoma and LSU did that to an extent, although their stadiums are a bit more balanced because of their sizes.

Maryland's stadium is hilarious. I do not recommend standing on that field if you have megalophobia. That side you're talking about is terrifying.

[Magnanimous]

13 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Maryland's stadium is hilarious. I do not recommend standing on that field if you have megalophobia. That side you're talking about is terrifying.

It’s Purdue meets Death Valley, and the result is mid-football.

 

[Pagoda]

It's a slow Sunday and I like thinking about what Memorial Stadium could be, so below are some more random thoughts.  I'm just shooting the sh1t, not trying to argue.

On 12/18/2025 at 10:30 AM, Hovadipo said:

A is tough...those corners are really tight and contain all the entrances to the underbelly of the stadium. Not sure what else we can do there besides upgrade the little bar seating they threw in this year.

B is a must. Those "suite" tent things are hideous. Looks like something we would've done during COVID.

C would be awesome, but in the meantime I'd love to see a big-@$$ ribbon board installed above those seats. Kinda like Purdue and MSU have above their endzones opposite their videoboards. Add some on either side of the NEZ castle too. Can never have too many ribbon boards.

A) This stupidly nitpicky on my part, but I think this change is doable.  Agree it's tight and the doors are there, I'd just add rows of bleachers down to about door level.  It fits more people than the bar seating and gets our fans closer to the field.  But, I 100% know this doesn't make a big difference either way and it probably won't happen, it just annoys me.  At the least, add the bar seats to the East side so I don't have to see those green mats.

C) Yes -- ribbon boards everywhere please!  When our older fans complain it looks like a nightclub that will be a sign we have enough flashing ribbon boards and LED screens.

On 12/18/2025 at 11:03 AM, Hovadipo said:

I think we're getting closer and closer to completely blowing up the west side and playing a season (two?) at Lucas Oil.

I'm all for it, for the record.

Yes, seems so.  I get what you're saying, games at Lucas Oil would be convenient for some (including me), but I'd hope that we can do the renovation in stages and keep games on campus.  It would good for the students, Bloomington biz, and I like the gameday experience in the most lovely small town in the land.  If PSU can redo their whole stadium without moving, I'd hope we can do the West side without moving.  Though KU just spent a season at Arrowhead during their renovation/rebuild, so there is precedent of playing a season in an NFL stadium.  

The big question will probably be if the core infrastructure of the West stand can be worked with or does it need total replacing (as in knocking down the whole thing)?  These stands can last a long time, I'm looking at OSU and ND who have built up over their old stands.  But I don't know.

On 12/18/2025 at 11:37 AM, Magnanimous said:

Another option is we move the press box to the east side (shorter side, like VT). 
 

One option I would hate is if we start stacking one side’s seats much higher. Maryland did that  and their stadium looks terrible as a result. Even Oklahoma and LSU did that to an extent, although their stadiums are a bit more balanced because of their sizes.

It sounds like the West side is the focus, I don't know if this is true but some have said East side press box/suites would have the sun in people's eyes.  Not sure if that's a real issue, I guess it is I just haven't noticed it when I sit over there.

A West stand renovation with suites/press box/premie seats will likely reduce capacity of that side.  Adding some rows to the East side will give us that capacity back and some nice balance, and of course we've got to get more seats in the SEZ which as we've all seen has tons of space. 

Last thought -- I hope Scott and IU keep atmosphere in mind too in addition to all the amenities stuff.  Keeping our steep stands and getting fans close to the field helps.  As does a better PA system and all the ribbon/LED stuff, there is nothing wrong with manufacturing some atmosphere, most schools do it.

 

 

[OliviaPope40]

There should be some type of railing when walking down to the lower level kind of what they have at Assembly if you want to call that railing they could do more seat backs on the bleachers. 

[Pudman]

They will spend a bunch of cash on some infrastructure upgrades to the bathrooms and pipes in the stadium. I have heard from a source that the bathrooms and water pipes aren’t built for a sold out game. Plus, the pipes freeze regularly, and the powers that be were crossing their fingers during last years Purdue game that they wouldn’t burst.

[OliviaPope40]

5 minutes ago, Pudman said:

They will spend a bunch of cash on some infrastructure upgrades to the bathrooms and pipes in the stadium. I have heard from a source that the bathrooms and water pipes aren’t built for a sold out game. Plus, the pipes freeze regularly, and the powers that be were crossing their fingers during last years Purdue game that they wouldn’t burst.

Hadn't thought about that one.