With David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium undergoing substantial renovation in order to anchor a massive development project expected to open for the 2025 season, the University of Kansas football program had to find alternate locations for their 2024 home games.
With David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium undergoing substantial renovation in order to anchor a massive development project expected to open for the 2025 season, the University of Kansas football program had to find alternate locations for their 2024 home games.
As reported via the Associated Press, the Jayhawks will split them, with non-conference games played at Children’s Mercy Park, home of Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City club, and 4 Big 12 Conference games to be played across the state line. City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both stadiums are less than an hour from KU’s Lawrence campus.
The school initially thought it could play part of the season at Memorial Stadium while construction was ongoing, but that did not prove to be feasible, the AP’s Dave Skretta reported.
“While we’re disappointed that we won’t be able to play in Lawrence, we ultimately need to create the most productive experience imaginable for everyone involved,” Jayhawks athletic director Travis Goff said. “This resolution allows the structure to continue on schedule while also reaping benefits for the overall appropriations budget and the delight of fans in 2024. “
The Jayhawks will play Lindenwood and UNLV at the soccer stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, but the much smaller capacity of about 18,500 means that only season-ticket holders will be admitted to those games. No individual tickets will be sold for those games.
Their 12 big games scheduled at Arrowhead Stadium will be Texas Christian, Houston, Iowa State and Colorado.
“I’m confident our enthusiasts will create an area where our players are motivated to play,” said Kansas coach Lance Leipold, who led the Jayhawks to a 9-4 record with a win over UNLV at Garanti. . Evaluate the Bowl last season.
The new stadium is the centerpiece of a new campus gateway that will feature multi-use spaces designed to generate revenue year-round. It includes a convention center, restaurants and retail spaces, offices, and housing.
“While we had hoped to play these games in Lawrence, the move to alternate venues is needed to ensure that our fans, student-athletes and all constituents have the best possible gameday experience and that we stay on schedule to complete construction for the 2025 season,” Kansas chancellor Doug Girod said. “We recognize this move is not ideal for some members of the Lawrence community, and we hope they will understand this is a necessary one-year move to ensure the Gateway District can begin benefitting Lawrence as soon as possible in 2025.”