BOISE, Idaho — Boise State Athletics on Wednesday unveiled new details and a timeline for its North End Zone Project at Albertsons Stadium, which is expected to cost around $65 million.
The design process for the North End Zone Project is nearing its final phase of development, and upon final approvals, Boise State plans to break ground in January 2025. Construction is estimated to last 16 months, with an anticipated completion of August 2026.
Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey also announced the opening of Boise State's premium seating waitlist and sales process for the project. Members of Bronco Nation have until July 15, 2024 to submit an interest form, with priority selection set to begin July 22, 2024.
The North End Zone Project will add roughly 1,600 premium seats to Albertsons Stadium and features 12 field-level suites. It also includes 44 loge boxes, 148 ledge seats and 882 club seats. Bronco game days will see all-inclusive food and beverage amenities.
New club and terrace spaces will also be used outside of game days, with a training table and nutrition center for all Boise State student-athletes. The athletic department said build outs of a new recruiting lounge and visitors locker room will be included in future phases of the project.
Photos: North End Zone Project
“The response from our market study this past December and the growing waitlist for club seats, loge boxes, and suites, was overwhelmingly positive and will now be realized,” Dickey said. “This project will also add concessions, restrooms, and functional space to serve all 350 plus Bronco student-athletes.”
An open-air sports bar, lounge area and mobile concession kiosks are also included in the North End Zone Project plans. Boise State Athletics looks to widen area concourses to allow greater movement for fans.
The project encloses the entire seating bowl and puts the estimated capacity at approximately 35,000, down from the previous total of more than 36,300. The upgrades feature a team entrance to Albertsons Stadium through the field-level club, which puts fans closer to action on The Blue.
“Premium seating is a great way to take a leadership role in supporting all Bronco student-athletes and secure a prime location to participate in the dynamic atmosphere and unique experiences provided at Albertsons Stadium,” Dickey said. “Based on the waitlist we have today, we anticipate many of our premium seating areas to be sold out quickly.”
Priority for choosing premium seating options will be determined by capital commitments toward the project. According to Boise State Athletics, commitments require signed contracts that are payable over a maximum of five years, with the first installment due December 2024.
Ticket holders can increase their commitment, pay up-front or over a shorter time frame to increase priority. The design process for the North End Zone Project began in 2023 and is one of the athletic department's 12 key priorities for facility improvements.
The project is designed by Andersen Construction, HOK Architects and Opsis Design Team. It is managed by AES through a partnership with Boise State Athletics under the State of Idaho's direction.
“Bronco Nation has created such an impactful home-field advantage at Albertsons Stadium and this project will just enhance that experience," head coach Spencer Danielson said. "It will also be the next step in providing resources for all of our student-athletes, as well as benefit all of our fans. With the passion that we see come from the fans every weekend, I know Bronco Nation will respond as enthusiastically as on gameday.”
Parking and seating will not be impacted during the 2024 season. Boise State's home opener against Portland State is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21. Wednesday's announcement said parking accommodations will be determined during the fall 2024 seat selection process.
Starting with the 2025 campaign, the Keith Stein Marching Band will be in section 31 and 131 in the southeast corner of Albertsons Stadium. North end zone season ticket holders can contact the athletic ticket office at 208-426-4737 for help with reviewing options for seating.
"While a season ticket option in the north end zone will no longer be available when construction begins in 2025, 12,711 seats received price reductions in 2024 to provide more accessible options," Boise State Athletics said in a news release.
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