Columbia News

Mizzou Athletics has announced that gifts and pledges for the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project are nearing $100 million, approaching the $125 million fundraising goal. The announcement comes as construction continues on the north end zone renovation, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2026 football season, marking the stadium's 100th anniversary.

A significant contribution from the Farmer Families of Jefferson City will result in naming rights for the Rock M Club, a new field-level VIP area within the expanded facility. This is one of several premium spaces being developed as part of the project.

"The extraordinary commitment by the Farmer Families further advances the impact Mizzou Athletics makes on our university, in Missouri and beyond," said University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves. "The amount of support they have provided over multiple generations truly shows the unwavering confidence and pride our communities hold for Mizzou. We are deeply humbled by the Farmer Families trust, leadership and philanthropy and their support of this transformational project."

The overall renovation carries a total price tag of $250 million and aims to enhance fan amenities, increase premium seating options, and upgrade facilities to maintain Memorial Stadium’s status as a leading venue for college football while preserving its legacy.

Curator Bob Blitz stated: "The philanthropy and support of our generous donors ensure that our championship culture continues its historic rise. The expectation for an unrivaled game-day experience will now be matched by a first-class stadium that reflects our Tiger fans' exceptional pride."

Currently, 35 out of 51 premium suites in the north end zone have been reserved with one year remaining before opening.

University President Mun Choi acknowledged broad community support: "The momentum of Mizzou Athletics and our entire University is undeniable. I am grateful to the Farmer Families and to all Mizzou supporters who sustain excellence in academics, research, engagement and athletics. I also want to thank Director of Athletics Laird Veatch, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Chris Smith and their teams for jointly achieving the highest fundraising year in Mizzou history."

Director of Athletics Laird Veatch commented on donor engagement: "It is no secret that we are asking a lot of our people, from contributing to this critical project through donations or premium seating purchases, and we will continue to do so. The response to those requests has been overwhelming, and we cannot thank our supporters, like the Farmer Families, enough for helping us take major steps towards realizing the opportunities ahead of us. We are making great strides but also continue to have a considerable gap to close with our SEC peers."

Earlier this year, Mizzou Athletics rebranded its Tiger Scholarship Fund as the Mizzou Athletics Fund to better reflect its broader mission supporting various aspects of athletics beyond scholarships. The fund now offers priority access benefits tied directly to contributions.

Veatch added: "Our contributors have a true 'Will to Win' and understand how vital their continued investment is to our ability to win at the highest levels. In turn, we are committed to re-investing our resources into what truly drives winning, which will unlock moments and memories that generations of Mizzou fans crave. Whether it's through philanthropic giving, joining the Mizzou Leadership Circle or purchasing seats, it will continue to take all of us to realize our shared dreams."

In addition to individual gifts such as those from Audrey J. Walton supporting other athletic facilities upgrades—including enhancements at Audrey J. Walton Track & Field and Soccer Stadium—the past year saw record-breaking fundraising totals exceeding $140 million through gifts, pledges, capital commitments (including anonymous contributions totaling $75 million), an increase in seven-figure donations compared with previous years (13 such gifts), as well as growth in membership within donor groups like the Mizzou Leadership Circle.

Further details about ongoing construction progress can be found at MUTigers.com/WhyStopNow.