The future of the Jacksonville Jaguars and their proposed "Stadium of the Future" depends on an upcoming vote by NFL owners on Tuesday during their meeting in Atlanta. This $1.4 billion project, which could transform the Jaguars' home turf, has been in the works for a considerable time, marked by intense negotiations and endorsements from the city council, as stated by First Coast News.
The voting process is important, as a 75% majority is needed for construction to begin. This means at least 24 out of the 32 NFL owners must vote in favor, according to First Coast News. Previously, the Jacksonville City Council approved the stadium deal with a 14-1 vote in June, showing strong local support for the project.
Shad Khan, the Jaguars' owner, has expressed optimism about the upcoming vote, stating that "You never know it’s done until it’s done, but I think the confidence is high" following a positive response during a joint stadium finance committee meeting with 18 team owners and the commissioner. This was reported by Khan in an interview with News4Jax. If the owners approve the project, the city will cover $775 million of the costs, while Khan will pay the remaining amount.
During the intervening period, it's proposed that the team's capacity will reduce to 43,500 in 2026 and the team will then play the 2027 season in an alternate location, likely Orlando or Gainesville while the new stadium is under construction opening in 2028; these details have been reported by News4Jax. Mayor Donna Deegan has commended the milestone agreement, recognizing it as a transformational venture for Jacksonville, saying, "Together, we are turning renderings into reality for the betterment of Jacksonville," a statement which she made after the June city council vote, captured by First Coast News.