UNM asks state lawmakers for $50 million to fund long-awaited renovations to University Stadium

University Stadium isn’t going anywhere.

But with some help from the state legislature, it might get a much-needed makeover.

Following a historic season from its football program, the University of New Mexico is requesting $50 million in state funding to begin a long-awaited facelift of the school’s beleaguered stadium.

The funding would modernize “University Stadium’s most critical systems,” including expanding and adding restroom fixtures, widening concourses and renovating entrances on the north side of the stadium, per documents shared with the Journal.

It would be the first stage of a planned five-phase makeover for the 65-year-old facility. 

The school’s request comes after a sellout crowd of 37,440 overwhelmed University Stadium’s capacities during the Lobos’ game against rival New Mexico State in September. UNM beat its rival 38-20 (part of the team's perfect 6-0 home record in 2025). However, long lines, crowded concourses, and closed restrooms drew significant attention from fans, including at least a dozen state legislators in attendance.

Within a week after that game, UNM announced it had retained New Mexico-based architecture firm Dekker for a “planning and feasibility study” to renovate the stadium, which led to the development plan distributed to lawmakers Friday amid the state’s legislative session in Santa Fe. 

“A winning football season has reignited fan energy, campus pride and community momentum, while long-deferred renovations have left the stadium behind modern standards,” stated one of the documents detailing the development plan. 

“Renovating in place is the most responsible and cost-effective path forward,” it continued, “transforming this landmark into a year-round, multi-use destination that advances UNM’s statewide mission, strengthens athletics and delivers lasting benefits for all of New Mexico.”

Despite receiving multiple repairs and additions over the years, University Stadium has not received a large-scale facelift since opening its gates in 1960. But the school’s appeal to lawmakers is not unique: NMSU and New Mexico Highlands are also requesting state monies to fund stadium construction and upgrades. 

A revamped University Stadium has also been viewed as a key element to improve UNM’s standing in the next round of conference realignment within college athletics. Five current members of UNM’s league, the Mountain West, are acrimoniously leaving for a revamped Pac-12 at the start of the 2026-27 academic year; four of those schools (Boise State, Utah State, Colorado State and San Diego State) are actively updating their football stadiums, have completed updates or constructed entirely new ones in the last decade. 

Three other schools (Wyoming, Nevada and Hawaii) that will remain in the Mountain West with UNM have either recently completed stadium renovations or plan to build a new one in the near future.

The cost of the initial renovation phase at University Stadium is $58 million. UNM received $11.5 million in state funds for stadium upgrades during last year’s legislative session, using $3 million to pay for a new video board on the north side of the stadium, the planning and feasibility study from Dekker and the eventual development plan from Gensler, another architecture firm. 

The remaining funds would go toward the planned first phase.

Four future phases would include adding chairbacks, a concourse along the south end zone, an upper bowl on the west side of the stadium and 438 premium seats. The full multi-stage renovation would cost $267.7 million, according to the documents, providing an estimated statewide economic impact of more than $424 million.

The phases of UNM’s renovation were planned so that the stadium would not remain half-finished or in a state of constant construction, per members of UNM's athletic administration. Each phase would be a complete construction project.

Phase one is split into four subphases; the first (phase 1A) would renovate the entry plaza on the north side of the end zone at a cost of nearly $16 million. Two new gates and ticketing buildings would be constructed to help increase accessibility and ease egress, a consistent problem during UNM’s well-attended games.

A renovated gate on the southwest corner of the stadium and a public plaza alongside Avenida Cesar Chavez would also be constructed. If completed, UNM would sacrifice a chunk of its parking because the plaza would stretch into the well-used Stadium West lot.

Phase 1B ($21.5 million) and phase 1D ($12.9 million) would add 377 restroom fixtures across the north and south ends of the stadium. University Stadium has long operated with fewer restroom fixtures than current code requires, but has not been cited because the stadium met regulations when it was initially constructed.

Both of those phases would also feature concessions upgrades, including the addition of 142 new points of sale. An on-site kitchen would be installed on the north side of the stadium; concessions for events at University Stadium have typically been made at the neighboring Pit arena and carted over for service.

Phase 1C ($7.6 million) would be dedicated to widening University Stadium’s concourses from 9 feet to 20 feet, another move to help limit congestion. By widening the concourses, University Stadium would lose 1,200 seats on both the east and west sides of the stadium for a total loss of 2,400 seats. 

If the full five-phase project were completed, University Stadium's capacity for football games would drop from 37,440 to 32,720, per UNM's athletic administration. 

Securing funding for renovations to University Stadium is UNM’s second most expensive capital outlay request of the 30-day legislative session, trailing the planned $600 million construction of UNM’s School of Medicine building. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pledged her support for the latter project during her State of the State address Tuesday, creating an opportunity for the school to focus lobbying efforts on the stadium renovation.

If UNM succeeded in securing funding, it would continue riding the momentum created by head coach Jason Eck’s first season with the program. The Lobos finished 9-4 last year (the program's third winning season in 20 years) and in a four-way tie for first place in the Mountain West, sparking a renewed interest in the program and a surge in home attendance.

UNM hosted an average crowd size of 25,252 over six games at University Stadium, a year-over-year attendance increase of 57.8% — the largest in the country.

What does the rest of the project look like?

Note: All cost estimates and renovation plans are from documents shared with the Journal. 

Phase 2 ($42.3 million)

• Add chairbacks to lower bowl seating on the east and west sides of the stadium.
• Increase tread width by overbuilding lower bowl seats on the east and west sides of the stadium.

Phase 3 ($19.5 million)

• Build a new concourse behind the south end zone and connect it with the east and west concourses, effectively creating a loop around the stadium.
• Renovate the scoreboard above the south end zone.

Phase 4 ($37 million)

• Elevate the upper bowl on the west side of the stadium with 33-inch tread widths to help create shade.
• Add additional chairbacks to upper bowl seating.

Phase 5 ($110.8 million)

• Expand club spaces and premium suites and upgrade restrooms and concessions within the stadium tower on the west side. 
• Add a broadcast level, full kitchen and an athlete dining space. 

What are other schools asking for?

New Mexico State

NMSU is asking for state funding to renovate the press box at Aggie Memorial Stadium, per a statement from Athletics Director Joe Fields. It is unclear how much the school is requesting. 

“This project will be truly transformational for (NMSU) athletics," he said in a statement provided to the Journal on Friday. "A new press box and executive suite will place us on par with our peers, elevate the game day experience for our fans and community and create new revenue opportunities that are essential to competing in today’s college athletics landscape. 

"We’re excited about the momentum surrounding this initiative and look forward to working with our partners at the state level to bring this vision to life for Aggie Nation.”

New Mexico Highlands

NMHU is aiming to secure state monies to fund a $85.5 million renovation of the school’s football stadium, baseball and softball fields, basketball arena and track. If granted, much of the multi-phase project would be funded by the state, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.