Mizzou Chooses Architect for Memorial Stadium Improvements Project

COLUMBIA – The University of Missouri has chosen DLR Group, a Kansas City-based architecture firm, to serve as its consultant for the Memorial Stadium Improvements project, University of Missouri Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois announced Friday. The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the selection of DLR Group during the Finance Committee’s portion of Friday’s board meeting.

In November, the Board passed a resolution authorizing the university to issue a request for qualification to select an architectural and engineering firm to serve as the consultant for the football stadium renovation project. University of Missouri President Mun Choi appointed a selection committee, chaired by Reed-Francois, to review three firms for consideration. The committee included Mizzou Football head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and UM Curator Bob Blitz. DLR Group was selected based on its established track record completing several comparable college football stadium renovations in recent years, including Los Angeles Memorial Stadium, the University of Houston’s TDECU Football Stadium and the University of Louisiana’s Cajun Field. DLR Group will next conduct a pre-design study to develop programming plans for Memorial Stadium for a fee not to exceed $400,000.

“The Board of Curators is committed to investing in the progress of Mizzou Football, and the Memorial Stadium Improvement project is an exciting opportunity to capitalize on the success the program has enjoyed in 2023 and the overall momentum Mizzou Athletics has generated,” UM Board of Curators Chair Michael Williams said. “This is a crucial time for loyal fans around the state to support a project that’s integral to Mizzou’s future.”

The Memorial Stadium Improvements project aspires to create an open-air mixed-use development along the stadium’s North Concourse area with the potential to produce modernized year-round revenue opportunities that have become popular across professional sports. The project design will be committed to maintaining stadium views and engagement to the Mizzou campus north of Memorial Stadium while minimizing construction impact onto future football season game-day activities.

“Excellence is the sole criteria for any judgment,” UM Curator Blitz said. “In SEC football, excellence is only spelled CHAMPIONSHIP. Championships mandate facilities of championship quality. Unanimously, DLR was selected by the committee for design of Memorial Stadium to attract and retain the best athletes, provide the most vibrant and exhilarating game day atmosphere, and create everlasting victorious memories for the Mizzou Nation.”

While cost estimates for the project will develop as programming plans are finalized, private donor contributions will fund the stadium renovations. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2026.

“As we saw this year, Mizzou Football can galvanize our community and alumni, and with these critical improvements to Memorial Stadium, we can further unite our state behind one vision for the future of Mizzou Football,” University of Missouri President Choi said. “This stadium project will strengthen the national brand of Mizzou Athletics as we continue building a championship culture at the University of Missouri.”

A new premium seating component is a core element in the university’s vision for the Memorial Stadium Improvement project, along with multiple open-air observation decks; a variety of improved and modernized food and beverage concessions; new restrooms; new stadium gateway and gate system; improved wayfinding and graphics; new retail outlets; new football team recruiting room; and the integration of the new enhanced North End Zone videoboard. The Rock M behind the north end zone will be preserved as part of the renovations.

“Under Coach Drinkwitz’s leadership, we have great momentum with our football program and throughout the athletics department,” Reed-Francois said. “We continue to raise the bar with this project. We set out to identify an architect that will bring to life a modern vision for Memorial Stadium. DLR Group is an optimal partner to develop a first-class facility that will be a source of pride for Mizzou fans throughout the country. We are grateful to the Board of Curators and President Choi for the support and leadership they have provided throughout this process as we continue enhancing our game-day experience to be the best in the country.”

Under SEC Coach of the Year Eliah Drinkwitz, Mizzou Football has enjoyed its most successful season in nearly a decade, clinching the seventh 10-win campaign in program history. The No. 9 Tigers (10-2) will face No. 7 Ohio State (11-1) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 29 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. For the second straight year, Mizzou led the SEC in attendance growth with a 10.6% increase in average attendance. The final five games of the season at Memorial Stadium were sellouts, marking the first time Mizzou has posted five consecutive sellouts since the 1980 season.

“We are grateful to the Board of Curators, President Choi and Desireé Reed-Francois for their continuing efforts in moving the North End Zone project forward,” Drinkwitz said. “These efforts will greatly enhance the game-day experience for our dedicated, passionate and loyal fans. Keeping pace with others in the SEC through projects like this is extremely important from a recruiting standpoint. The atmosphere we’ve created at Faurot Field has made an impact on recruits and their families, and the North End Zone project will take that up another level.”

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