Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium began its upgrade in December 2008 and is now ready to show off what it has to offer as the season opener approaches. The renovation has sparked excitement with fans with season-ticket sales exceeding University of Louisville’s 40,000-ticket goal.

Completed this month by Hunt alongside design firm Luckett & Farley, the stadium now features nearly 13,000 additional seats consisting of 33 suites, 1,730 loge seats, 10,400 chairback seats in the upper deck and a new south terrace area open to everyone in the stadium.  PJCS is the only on-campus stadium to utilize all-chairback seating. With the upgrades, Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium can now accommodate more than 55,000 people.

The suites and loge seats open into the 20,000-square-foot PNC Club extending from end zone to end zone. The area features lounge seating, a full-service bar and concessions. Unlike the west side of the stadium, glass walls were built on the east side to allow fans a view of the field at all times while making their way from one end to the other.

Other amenities added in the renovation/expansion include the addition of more than 1,100 reserved parking spaces, a new 60-by-20-foot LED video board (matching the size of the board at the north end) and a pair of 345-by-3-foot LED ribbon boards.

The new terrace brings added functionality to the facility. The space can hold 2,500 fans and concession tents on game day, giving fans a place to congregate while enjoying the game. The space is also taking reservations for weddings, proms, corporate functions and various other special events.

The first game will take place on September 4 against Kentucky. Hunt completed University of Louisville Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in August 1998 and is proud to have been invited back for this exciting renovation/expansion.