A Manhattan Construction and AECOM Hunt partnership will serve as construction managers for renovations of a roughly $1.45 billion South Florida stadium nicknamed “The Swamp.”
The University of Florida’s athletic association has advanced the planning and development for the future upgrade of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, where UF’s football team hosts games, per a June 11 announcement.
The overall project is expected to go before the University of Florida board of trustees for final approval in September. Funding will come from donations, capital reserves and long-term debt, pending approval by the Florida board of governors.
The renovation will include expanded concourses, upgraded concessions and restrooms, improved accessibility, elevated premium hospitality experiences, enhanced technology infrastructure and state-of-the-art video and audio capabilities, per the announcement.
Work is targeted to begin after the conclusion of the 2026 football season and reach completion ahead of the 2030 season.
The project will prioritize maintaining The Swamp’s seating capacity of about 88,000, preserving the “Orange Wing Walls” and protecting the unique bowl design, which puts fans close to the field.
“The University of Florida has been clear about what matters most: preserving the stadium’s identity while enhancing the overall experience,” John Reyhan, president at Manhattan, told Construction Dive. “That means careful planning, disciplined phasing, and a commitment to safety and collaboration at every step.”
The team will continue to play home games at the stadium, which, when renovations are complete in 2030, will turn 100.
In addition to the Manhattan/AECOM Hunt partnership, Florida Athletics selected Legends Global to serve as the owner's representative.
The builders are not newbies when it comes to major stadium builds.
AECOM Hunt is a giant in the space. The firm is currently partnered with Turner Construction on the $2.1 billion construction of the Tennessee Titans’ new NFL stadium in Nashville. The pair previously delivered the $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which hosted Team USA’s first World Cup match June 12.
Meanwhile, Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Manhattan Construction has delivered over 100 sports and recreation projects, per its website. Builds in that portfolio include the $182 million overhaul of Toyota Stadium, host of soccer team FC Dallas, and the $240 million renovation and expansion of Texas Tech’s Jones AT&T Stadium and the Dustin R. Womble Football Center.
