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Williams Stadium to Undergo Major Facelift

October 11, 2017

Just seven years after Liberty University celebrated the opening of a newly renovated Williams Stadium, home to Flames Football, the university has announced it will once again increase seating capacity and add several amenities — a sure sign of the program’s rapid rise to the national stage.

Scheduled to debut before kickoff of the 2019 season, when the Flames become a full-fledged FBS program, the new renovation project will bring seating capacity to 25,000 and offer more seating options.

Construction has already begun, as crews prepared foundations in early September. The first phase calls for an upper deck of seats above the bleacher seating on the east side, mirroring the deck on the west side. The east side will also have new concessions areas and restrooms. The eastside concourse will then be connected with the west side along the south end, where a new gateway entrance will be constructed, featuring a classic arch and glass design. The second phase will add more seating options to the west side, including new, open-air “loge boxes” for groups of four to 12, offering premium amenities on a smaller scale than a full suite.

Families will also enjoy exciting additions that will enhance the game day atmosphere, which is already one of the best in the country. A new videoboard will be installed, and new data-handling facilities will improve cellphone and Wi-Fi performance. New bus loading and unloading areas will also improve road and foot traffic.

When the expansion is complete, Liberty will be tied with James Madison University for the fourth-largest college football stadium in Virginia.

Ticket prices are not expected to increase dramatically with the new renovations, allowing Liberty to continue offering one of the most affordable family activities in Central Virginia.

“We look forward to providing Flames Nation with one of the best game day experiences in college football,” said Director of Athletics Ian McCaw, who emphasized that students will also benefit greatly “in a new entertaining and spirited environment.”

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell also shared his excitement for the upcoming expansion.

“Our fans are extremely loyal. We appreciate them and are always looking for ways to accommodate them,” he said. “From more seating options to improved traffic flow to better food and a bigger, better scoreboard, we are enhancing the experience for Flames fans and their families. We invite everyone to join us and root for the Flames as we take on some of the top competition in college football — in a greatly improved Williams Stadium.”

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