UConn announced that Gampel Pavilion will undergo a $99 million renovation project. The announcement comes just a day after the women’s basketball team defeated Syracuse to advance to the Sweet 16, while the men’s team readies for its Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan State.
The project will work through three phases, with phase 1 beginning today, including a complete roof replacement, “the creation of a comprehensive Basketball Gameday Suite,” which includes a recruiting lounge, sports medicine space, brand new locker rooms, a coaches’ lounge, and a press conference and athletics meeting space.
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Visitors to the on-campus arena will soon be able to use one of four grab-and-go concession stands, located on each of the corners of the arena. The original food options were notorious for having long lines, which blocked the way for fans to get to their seats and even prevented people from entering the arena. The restrooms would also frequently be blocked.
“The multi-phase renovation project is being funded by $99.4 million in non-tax revenue raised through the sale of State of Connecticut ‘UConn 2000’ bonds authorized by the General Assembly,” according to the UConn press release.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed by Nov. 2026. Phase 2 will begin in March 2027 and will include premium gameday spaces and additional philanthropy-focused spaces designed to generate new income streams.
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Gampel Pavilion underwent renovations in 2024 as well, replacing the old videoboards with two 120-foot displays, now the largest in college basketball. Additional upgrades occurred before the 2025-2026 season as well, when the lower bowl seating was renovated, forcing the cancellation of the First Night ceremony.
