How Vanderbilt football will play in FirstBank Stadium amid construction in 2023, what fans need to know
Vanderbilt football is playing games at FirstBank Stadium in 2023 despite extensive construction in both end zones. While work continues to get done on the stadium, the Commodores have already hosted five home games and will host a sixth, the homecoming game against Auburn, on Nov. 4.
The stadium is under construction to make improvements to facilities for both football and basketball. Work on the north end zone − which includes a new basketball operations center and premium football seating − began in February, while work on the south end zone, which will contain new locker rooms, a dining hall for athletes and additional premium seating, began in April.
One of the side effects of construction is that the video board was removed in the north end zone. Instead, a temporary video board is in the south end zone, suspended by cables and a crane.
Padding is present in both end zones to prevent injury to players who may run out of the back of the end zone. The padding is similar to the material used for an outfield wall in baseball.
Why is there construction at Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium?
Vanderbilt is expanding its FirstBank Stadium during its latest wave of renovations as part of the Vandy United fundraising campaign.
Construction will continue on the stadium Monday through Friday throughout the season. The Friday before each home game, crews will convert the stadium for its gameday setup. The Commodores use the stadium for select practices during the week.
Vanderbilt is hopeful that the portions of the north end zone construction that include additional football seating will be ready for the 2024 season.
FirstBank Stadium capacity
The stadium capacity for 2023 is 28,500, according to a program spokesperson. The previous capacity was 40,350.
How to enter Vanderbilt football stadium amid construction
Fans on the east side of the stadium will enter through Memorial Gymnasium. There will be two entrances to the stadium concourse from there at gate 8 and gate 9.
Fans on the west side of the stadium will have a separate entrance off Natchez Trace.
FirstBank Stadium concessions and bathrooms
The normal concessions stands and bathrooms that were available on the east and west sides of the stadium will remain in place. In lieu of additional areas in the end zones, additional concessions and bathrooms will be located in Memorial Gymnasium for fans on the east side and in trailers located on Natchez Trace for fans on the west side.
Where to park amid FirstBank Stadium construction
The parking setup will be similar to the 2022 season, and tailgating will still be allowed in the surface lots off Natchez Trace. Vanderbilt officials recommend parking in a lot that is on the same side of the stadium as your seats, otherwise a long walk may be necessary.
There are several road closures amid the construction. 25th Avenue is closed between Blakemore and Highland Avenues and Natchez Trace is closed between Jess Neely Drive and West End Avenue. Jess Neely Drive is permanently closed to vehicle traffic as the university plans to convert the street into a pedestrian walkway.
Will construction move Vanderbilt's home, away locker rooms?
Vanderbilt continues the same locker room setup it had in 2022, utilizing locker rooms in McGugin Center to dress. For in-game meetings, the Commodores are using the baseball team's pitching lab underneath the stands.
The visiting team has a temporary setup located across Natchez Trace from FirstBank Stadium. Located underneath a white tent, the visiting team setup has bathrooms, showers and air conditioning.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz told reporters after playing at Vanderbilt that the visitors' setup was "as nice as anybody in the SEC."
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football stadium construction 2023: What fans need to know
