Construction is officially underway on a brand-new football stadium at the University of West Florida, marking a historic milestone for students, alumni, and the Pensacola community.
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University leaders confirmed the multi-million dollar project will take approximately 18 months to complete. The new facility will be named Darrell Gooden Stadium, honoring a major donor who contributed $9 million toward the project. The stadium is scheduled to open in fall 2027, just in time for football season.
For many on campus, the groundbreaking represents more than new infrastructure — it fulfills a vision more than a decade in the making. Since launching its football program in 2016, UWF has played home games at off-campus venues, making an on-campus stadium a long-anticipated addition.
On Wednesday evening, alumni, donors, families, staff, and student-athletes gathered to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking, signaling the start of a new era for Argonaut athletics.
Head Coach Kaleb Nobles said the new stadium will elevate the football program’s recruiting efforts and provide year-round benefits for players.
"I think it'll obviously help them recruiting, right? A lot of good things that we can sell," Nobles said. "Help with our current players. It will give them a great facility to be able to use year-round that will rival a lot of universities around the country, regardless of division. And it will give us a great competitive advantage whenever we're playing football games here at Darrell Gooden Stadium."
In addition to the stadium build, Nobles confirmed several upgrades are already in motion, including the installation of a jumbotron later this year and renovations to existing weight and locker room facilities.
"There'll be changes that'll help all of our student athletes. Not just football," said Nobles. "To give them a lot of good resources and things that'll help us in recruiting, but also in an athletic standpoint as well."
University officials emphasized that the improvements are designed to enhance the broader student-athlete experience across multiple sports programs.
The new stadium will nearly double current seating capacity, expanding from approximately 3,800 seats to 7,500. Athletic Director Dave Scott said the design will significantly enhance the game-day atmosphere and community engagement.
"So now, we will have a more fixed seating system with loge boxes and premium seating and suites and a club space and a field club to create those opportunities for entertainment and interactions with the community our alumni and our students," UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott said.
The upgraded amenities are expected to attract larger crowds, boost alumni involvement, and create expanded sponsorship opportunities.
According to the university’s Haas Center, the football program alone is projected to generate more than $23 million in economic output over the next five years. University leaders say the new stadium will amplify that impact by driving additional tourism, game-day spending, and local business activity in Pensacola.
Funding for the project comes primarily from private donors and community partnerships. In addition to Darrell Gooden’s $9 million contribution, the Escambia County Tourism Development Council awarded the university a $2 million grant to support the build.
For players like safety Lumpy Deweese, the stadium represents a full-circle moment. Deweese reflected on the program’s humble beginnings and its rapid growth.
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"It was just down at the Maritime Park. My parents were involved in getting that developed," Deweese said. "so to be able to come back and play at home is really special."
University officials say the stadium will serve as a gathering place for students, alumni, and families — strengthening campus pride while positioning UWF as a continued force in collegiate football.
With construction now underway, the Argonauts are looking ahead to 2027, when Darrell Gooden Stadium is expected to open its gates and usher in a new chapter for UWF athletics.
Originally reported by Melanie Levi in Wear News.
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