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What will be the capacity when it is done? What is the current capacity?
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The $176 million first phase of "bowling-off" DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium has begun. Roughly 10,000 new seats will be added by razing the north endzone stands and replacing it with a new lower deck (directly behind the field); Club level seats and luxury suites; and a new upper deck (which will be a continuation, or “wrap-around,” of the stadium’s east upper deck. Upon completion of this phase of the expansion, the stadium’s official seating capacity will increase to approximately 92,000-95,000; with gameday attendances between 97,000 and 100,000 (roughly 104% of seating capacity).
NOTE: The University has yet to publicly announce the new (first phase) official seating capacity for the stadium. So far, they have maintained it will be "
more than 90,000."
There is no current timeline as to when construction will begin on the next phase - bowling-off the south endzone. Once fully complete, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium will likely have an official seating capacity of 115,500 or more (pushing gameday attendances to over 122,000) according to the University's master plan approved in the late 1990's.
Currently, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium has an official seating capacity of 85,123 (including 4,000 “temporary” bleacher seats in the south endzone). In 2006, the University of Texas had 7 home games and averaged 88,505 spectators per home opening (ranking #1 in the Big 12 Conference and #10 in the nation in average attendance).
''Top 10 Largest Crowds at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium:''
1) 89,422 - Ohio State - 2006
2) 89,102 - Texas A&M - 2006
3) 89,036 - Oklahoma State - 2006
4) 88,972 - Iowa State - 2006
5) 88,966 - Baylor - 2006
6) 88,913 - Sam Houston State - 2006
7) 85,123 - North Texas - 2006
8) 84,082 - Nebraska - 1999
9) 84,012 - Texas A&M - 2000
10) 83,919 - Texas Tech - 2005
*P.S.
1) I have not heard any information regarding the aforementioned addition of 3,000 bleacher seats. Nothing has been made public by the University. Additionally, the south endzone cannot accommodate bleacher seating of 7,000. The height of the bleachers would begin to obscure the view of the new Godzillatron.
2) The lower deck of the expansion should be complete by August 2007. The sky boxes, club seating and upper deck should be complete by August 2008. I am not sure of the breakdown in seat numbers.