In the world of stadium construction, missing the deadline isn't an option. With rigid opening day schedules and billions of dollars on the line, professional sports venue projects demand unique contract structures and swift dispute resolution to keep things moving.

As the Tampa Bay Rays learned earlier this year, even well-planned projects can unravel. The team abandoned a $1.3 billion stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, citing post-hurricane funding delays that made the original 2028 timeline unworkable.

“You have to get that opening day,” said Gregory Eichorn, a Chicago-based partner at Peckar & Abramson. “If it’s three months after the scheduled opening day, well that doesn’t give the owner any benefit. So all the incentives are pushed to getting to that opening day.”

That urgency stems from the inflexible nature of sports schedules. “In other words, football waits for no one,” said Joy Spillis Lundeen, partner and construction practice leader at Bilzin Sumberg. “Once a season schedule is set, it becomes inelastic; there’s no room to shift opening dates without causing widespread disruption.”

These hard deadlines, combined with high-profile funding sources and numerous stakeholders, set stadium contracts apart from other megaprojects. Most professional sports venues are partially funded by public dollars, which introduces layers of political influence and accountability.

“Every phase of the project is subject to public scrutiny, political agendas and community voices,” said Spillis Lundeen. “In many cases, the permit battles can be just as intense as the games played inside the stadium.”

Attorney Rick Fultineer of the Berkeley Research Group noted that public projects often use multi-prime contracting methods, which increases complexity. “You can’t give the work to just one group and say, ‘Hey, give me a stadium,’” he said. Instead, several prime contractors are coordinated directly by the owner, adding layers of communication and responsibility.

Eichorn said that while public oversight is important, it can also slow down essential decision-making. “So you have to build into place the ability to move forward while those things are pending,” he said.

When disputes inevitably arise, timing is everything. Delays in resolving payment or construction issues can derail a project. “You really have to have like an interim dispute resolution, whether it be a panel or one entity that’s a third party,” Eichorn said. “So at least you’re going forward with something that’s breaking the logjam.”

Fultineer added that structuring a clear dispute resolution framework into the contract can keep a project on track. “The way that helps, in my mind, is it takes a lot of the dispute-oriented feelings out of the parties... so they can stay focused on building the project,” he said.

Stadium projects also often rely on design-assist subcontractors, who need to be clear not only on their roles but also logistical challenges. For instance, during renovations to the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, a subcontractor had to determine how massive steel pieces for the rooftop canopy would be fabricated and delivered.

“To avoid disputes later, it’s critical that every party understands exactly what they’re delivering and when,” said Spillis Lundeen. “That includes logistical challenges, like wide-load transportation that requires police escorts and precise scheduling.”

Sometimes, achieving “substantial completion” — having a usable facility even if some elements aren’t finished — can meet the deadline. Eichorn pointed to SoFi Stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example: “Some of the infrastructure didn’t get done... but it didn’t matter because you didn’t have any people in the stadium.”

Yet, even smaller venues for colleges or minor league teams face similar issues. Labor shortages, material delays, or coordination gaps can trigger costly disputes. “As a result, stadium contracts are typically packed with detailed provisions on scheduling, liquidated damages and change orders,” said Spillis Lundeen. “But even with those safeguards... these are among the most challenging projects in the construction industry.”

Tips for Contractors on Stadium Builds

• Start Early on Permits: Public venues face political scrutiny—begin permitting and community engagement early.
• Build in Contingencies: Include time buffers and alternate dispute resolution pathways to avoid shutdowns.
• Define Roles Clearly: Ensure subcontractors understand design expectations and logistical hurdles.
• Prepare for Public Accountability: Be ready to respond to media inquiries, town hall meetings, and transparency requirements.
• Track Schedule With Precision: Use digital scheduling tools that track progress in real time and alert teams of potential delays.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.