Champion Center construction sees significant progress ahead of projected fall opening

In recent months, the massive Champion Center construction project has taken greater shape on the Liberty University campus as the community eagerly awaits its opening this fall for the 2026-27 academic year. The 68,000-square-foot facility located next to the Hancock Welcome Center will serve multiple functions, all with the goal of presenting and preserving the original mission of Liberty University: Training Champions for Christ.

The exterior has seen 80 percent of its brick façade installed, giving the structure a more defined and polished look, and the roof is close to completion. Exterior window installation has begun, and steel throughout the building has been assembled. Metal panels and exterior finish systems are all closing in on completion, further enhancing and finishing the exterior façade.

Moving into the interior, installation of drywall, ductwork, and electrical infrastructure is well underway, with the latter two nearing completion. Installation of a 93-foot-long curve projection screen is in progress.

“Overall, The Champion Center is moving steadily toward its next phase, with both interior and exterior elements progressing in tandem,” said Senior Vice President of Facility Management and Planning and Construction Dan Deter. “These recent developments reflect the hard work and coordination of the construction team and bring us closer to delivering a state-of-the-art facility for our campus community.”

As an extension of the welcome center, The Champion Center will regularly host prospective students and their families. Creative displays, videos, and interactive content will contextualize Liberty’s history and growth in light of its mission, sharing how Liberty has remained a distinctly Christian institution committed to the Great Commission.

Visitors to the university — whether they are on a campus visit, attending an event on campus, or taking part in larger gatherings like Homecoming or College For A Weekend — will be able to view a 15-minute promotional film in the 252-seat theater, outfitted with an LED video screen and environmental audio design. Made by Liberty University’s creative teams, as well as work by faculty artists, the film will introduce viewers to the past, present, and future of Liberty University, sharing the university’s mission through a combination of high-level storytelling, animation, and original music.

While The Champion Center will serve as a central hub for visitor events, many of the rooms have been designed to accommodate other Liberty-sponsored events throughout the year, making the entire building a multifunctional space. In addition to the larger gathering spaces, the facility will have seven smaller meeting rooms for guest and student use.

At twice the size of the Montview Student Union, Alumni Ballroom — where the university currently holds many events — the new Event Space at The Champion Center will be the largest meeting room of its kind in the Lynchburg area, with seating for 2,000. The room can be divided in half or quarters for hosting smaller events or breakout sessions and could be made available for community use.

Another primary feature of the new center is the Prayer Room, designed solely for prayer and worship. The room will be open to guests and all members of the Liberty community 24/7, year-round, and will be managed and staffed by Liberty’s Office of Spiritual Development. Through streaming technology, students enrolled in Liberty University Online Programs and alumni all over the world will be able to join with Liberty in prayer.

Students and visitors will also be able to enjoy a rooftop plaza with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and areas to relax and study.

>>Visit LibertyChampionCenter.com for more information on opportunities to support the new center and contribute to the mission.