MTSU Athletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University announced Thursday, Sept. 3, plans for a $16 million upgrade to the west side seating area of Floyd Stadium that will provide Blue Raider fans with new chairback seating, substantially wider seating treads and improved ADA accommodations.

The Floyd Stadium West Seating Upgrade is scheduled to begin immediately following the 2026 football season, with completion scheduled for August 2027.

Based on the current design, the project will add more than 2,200 new chairback seats across the west side of the stadium. The new seating below the existing west side walkway will feature 24-inch chairbacks and substantially wider 48-inch seating treads. These amenities provide fans with increased comfort and double the legroom throughout this seating area.

In addition to the new chairback seating, existing benches in the upper corners of the west side will include backs to the benches for greater fan comfort. The project also enables MTSU to improve the west side ADA seating. The project will include patios on the north and south ends of the west sidelines that will be open to all fans. The patios will feature limited concessions, televisions and picnic tables, with a party deck located above each patio. The party decks will be available to a limited number of fans each game.

Two 57-foot ribbon boards will also be added between the patio and party deck at each end of the west side, enhancing in-game production for fan entertainment.

“MTSU has made a tremendous commitment to building the facilities and resources necessary to provide an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fans,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee.

“This $16 million project continues that commitment and represents another important investment in Floyd Stadium and MTSU Athletics. We are proud of the progress being made through our Build Blue initiative and look forward to seeing this project completed in time for the 2027 football season.”

The project is being designed by Gilbert McLaughlin Casella Architects, with Reeves Young serving as the general contractor. Reeves Young has completed numerous high-profile projects, including the Western Kentucky Football Press Box Renovation, Mercedes-Benz Stadium Home Depot Backyard, Atlanta Braves Truist Park Pedestrian Bridge, Kennesaw State Baseball Stadium Renovation and Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium Renovation.

The West Seating Upgrade is the latest major facility investment being made by MTSU as the University continues its commitment to enhancing the experience for student-athletes, coaches and fans.

“This is another significant investment in the future of Middle Tennessee Athletics and, most importantly, in the experience our fans have on game day,” said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro.

“The West Side of Floyd Stadium has served us well for many years, but this project will provide our fans with substantially wider seating, comfortable chairbacks, improved sightlines and enhanced ADA accommodations,” Massaro said. “We are excited to get started following the 2026 season and look forward to welcoming our fans into an upgraded Floyd Stadium in 2027.”

The project is part of MTSU’s ongoing efforts to improve its athletic facilities and enhance the overall Blue Raider game-day experience. The University recently completed the $66 million, 85,000-square-foot Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center, which opened in July 2025, and is moving forward with additional improvements to Murphy Center.

Fans will have an opportunity to experience Floyd Stadium this season when the Blue Raiders open the 2026 campaign Saturday, Sept. 5, against Murray State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

For all of your MTSU Athletics news, go to goblueraiders.com.