The University of Central Florida (UCF) has officially commenced construction on a substantial upgrade to its football stadium, including the new Roth Tower, as part of an $88 million expansion project. The initiative, poised to enhance the spectator experience and boost local tourism, was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.

According to a report by WFTV, UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright underscored the significance of the project, saying, "This groundbreaking is about more than construction – it’s about the dreams fulfilled and opportunities created for our student-athletes, university, and entire community… As the first project funded by TDT dollars to break ground, this expansion sets the tone for what’s next — world-class facilities that enable us to compete at the highest level and drive tourism to Orlando." The expansion plans bank heavily on the belief that the upgraded stadium will benefit the university and serve as a draw to the region, bolstering its status as a visitor destination.

The stadium's Roh Tower expansion will include 1,236 club seats, 34 loge boxes, 34 skybays, and 25 luxury suites. Funding for the project has been secured through the Tourism Development Tax program, which facilitates the allocation of taxes collected from tourism-related activities to support such developments. The project has received approval from Florida's Board of Governors and aligns with the intention of the Tax Agreement crafted for the university in 2023.

In a discussion with FOX 35 Orlando, UCF Athletic Director Terry Mohajir expressed enthusiasm about the project's impact, stating, "This is great! It’s going to help level set our athletics program and the community, but also it's going to create a lot of tourism." The renovations, set to be carried out over the next couple of years, are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2026 and are strategically planned not to disrupt the stadium's use during football seasons.