Ole Miss announces expansion project for Oxford-University Stadium

The Ole Miss baseball team is going to have to install an ‘excuse our mess’ sign as its home stadium undergoes a major renovation project over the next couple of seasons.

On Thursday Ole Miss Athletics officially announced the plans to expand seating at Oxford-University Stadium. The project will include club seating, increased entrance to the stadium and a plaza to honor the 2022 team which won the program’s first national championship.

The project will cost around $30 million and add 450 seats to O-U Stadium. Work will get underway at the conclusion of the 2024 season and run through the 2025 campaign. Completion is expected to be done by the 2026 season, according to the announcement.

“This is an exciting project that achieves some of our core goals for Oxford-University Stadium — increasing capacity, providing more premium opportunities, improving ingress/egress for the venue and celebrating our baseball legacy,” Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter said in a statement.

“We look forward to once again partnering with ICM and CDFL/HOK on the expansion. This announcement is another example of Ole Miss’ commitment to maintaining our status as one of the premier baseball programs in the nation. It’s only made possible through the generous support of Rebel Nation, who continues to step up in a big way to move forward the Champions. Now. Campaign”

The concession stands along the third base line will be replaced by the new club area. Ticket holders for the area will have covered, reserved seats outside as well an indoor area with personal lockers, TVs, private restrooms and complimentary food. In addition, the club features 38 feet of drink rails to compliment the chairback seats.

A canopy that is over the current grandstand will extend down to cover the new club seating area.

Between the new club and the existing Diamond Club, private loge boxes will be installed above the current grandstands. The 11 boxes boast seating for four. Below the club, upgraded concessions and restrooms will be constructed. The new club section above will create a covered concourse area that is open to the field.

Adjacent to the new stadium gates, the First Champions Plaza will be erected outside the facility along University Place. The exhibit will feature a statue and visuals that celebrate the Rebels’ 2022 national championship.

As a preview of the construction project, the statue will be showcased for Ole Miss fans inside Oxford-University Stadium this season. It will be located down the third base line in the open space between the grandstands and concession stand, and the wall behind it will be wrapped with graphics dedicated to the 2022 title team as well as details on the rest of the upcoming renovation.

Adjacent to the new stadium gates, the First Champions Plaza will be erected outside the facility along University Place. The exhibit will feature a statue and visuals that celebrate the Rebels’ 2022 national championship.

As a preview of the construction project, the statue will be showcased for fans inside Oxford-University Stadium this season. It will be located down the third base line in the open space between the grandstands and concession stand, and the wall behind it will be wrapped with graphics dedicated to the 2022 title team as well as details on the rest of the upcoming renovation.

“During the 2025 campaign, the renovation will affect foot traffic in the stadium but should have no bearing on capacity,” Carter said. “Based on the pace of fundraising and trends in the college athletics industry, we will continue to explore the other planned projects at O-U Stadium in the future.”

Ole Miss will have its home opener for the 2024 season on February 21, hosting Arkansas State at 4 p.m. CT.