Report: The Swamp could host Jacksonville Jaguars in 2027

NCAA Football: North Texas at Florida — Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; A general view of Steve Spurrier-Florida Field during the second half between he Florida Gators and North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars could play games at the Swamp in 2027, though a formal plan has not yet been finalized, according to a report from News4Jax.com.

EverBank Stadium is set to undergo a major renovation that will last a few years, temporarily displacing the Jaguars.

According to the report from News4Jax, the team is expected to play in a reduced capacity EverBank Stadium in 2025 (60,000) and 2026 (43,500). Those figures are well below listed capacity of 67,838, which would allow space for construction while still hosting games.

Then in 2027 the team will need a home away from the stadium as the heaviest of the renovations get underway. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, affectionately known as “The Swamp,” is one of two possible venues to host the Jaguars. The other is Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.

There could also be a perk for Florida, potentially.

In order to be up to NFL standards for hosting games, Florida’s visiting locker room will need a makeover. It’s unclear whether the city of Jacksonville or the Jaguars might help fund that as part of an agreement with the school, but for now “money for the Gators locker room upgrades hadn’t been discussed.”

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium hosting NFL games would certainly be a sight to see.

That said, it wouldn’t be the first time a non-Florida event was hosted in the Swamp. The Swamp has been home to high school championship games at various points in its history and it has even hosted the occasional bowl game.

Notably, the Swamp hosted the 1994 Gator Bowl while Jacksonville Municipal Stadium was under renovation for the Jaguars.

Florida is also set to go through with its own renovation projects in the Swamp over the next several years. The program has called the plans a “multi-generational solution” for the stadium.

The project is expected to cost at least $400 million, though it’s possible that it could cost more in the end. Athletic director Scott Stricklin said this fall that it’s premature to speculate on things like the final cost or timeline for the project. However, he did insist that the goal is to improve the experience for fans while maintaining what makes the Swamp unique.

‘We’ve conducted a number of studies over the last five-plus years about what the future could look like for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium,” Stricklin said. “We’ve engaged with vendors that specialize in iconic venues and stadium experience for both fans and players while offering a variety of solutions. It is now time to take that information and engage with an architect who can present renovation, construction and phasing options for The Swamp.”

Exact plans and details will come out after Florida chooses an architectural team for the project. However, in a release, Florida said that the project is designed to improve the fan experience, including, “Concourse, entry gates, seating, concessions and restrooms to enhancements to video board and sound system.”

On3’s Dan Morrison also contributed to this report.