UK Athletics surveying fans on potential Kroger Field enchancements

What would you like to see at Kroger Field in the future — aside from more winning football? UK Athletics wants to know.

Today, the department emailed surveys to fans about potential enhancements to Kroger Field and the proposed entertainment district outside of the stadium. In August, Mitch Barnhart announced $36 million worth of upgrades to Kroger Field, $15 million of which will go toward general renovations (seating areas, concourses, fan amenities), $13 million for new corner suites and upgraded elevator access, and $8 million for upgrades to the existing premium club space and a better stadium-wide Wi-Fi system. The feedback from the survey will help UK determine the best way to spend that money and what fans want in the new entertainment district, which could include restaurants, hotels, and other entertainment options, along with the new men’s basketball practice facility.

“The Board of Trustees approved several improvement projects for the stadium in the summer of 2025, including refreshing the corner suite interiors and a potential new modernization of the west end zone,” the survey reads. “The goal of these projects will be to elevate fan comfort, expand seating and hospitality options, and create unique, memorable experiences for all Kentucky fans and students.

“To assist project stakeholders in ensuring future improvements reflect fan preferences, a comprehensive research process is being undertaken that will show patrons a variety of experiences that could be included in Kroger Field in the future.”

When it comes to premium areas, the survey asks fans to rate which upgrades are most important to them. It also asks fans to rate a variety of premium areas featured in stadiums across the country, with photographs of examples compared to the current options at Kroger Field, when applicable. For each option, the survey offers a variety of price points to gauge how much fans would pay for access and where in the stadium they think it would work best.

Potential Premium Areas

• A pregame beer garden just outside the main stadium walls, which would include concessions, bars, live music, games, and TVs to watch other games
• A patio club inside the stadium with direct views of the field featuring casual seating areas, upgraded concessions, a cash bar, live music, games, and private restrooms;
• Modern chairback seats with individual, wider seats, individual armrests, more legroom than bleacher seats, and a personal cupholder
• Terrace seating, which could provide patrons with a comfortable seat along a drink rail that has more leg room and a place to put food and drinks while you watch the game
• Terrace tables for fans who want to sit in groups of four with a half-moon table and more seating comfort relative to bleacher seating
• Terrace suites with seating for up to 12 guests, with direct views of the field and a private patio area equipped with televisions and casual lounge seating
• A membership club with access to a climate-controlled club lounge in the stadium that would offer patrons access to hospitality spaces
• New club seats in the north sideline and endzones
• Ledge seats with access to nearby climate-controlled club lounges
• New loge boxes in the north sideline and endzones
• Living room box suites
• New luxury suites in the north sideline and endzones
• Enhanced tailgating options

The survey also covers the potential entertainment district outside Kroger Field, which will “enhance the game day experience and activate the stadium on non-game days.” It asks fans to rate which of the following attractions would be most appealing to them in the mixed-use development:

• Hotels
• Dining options
• Bars, breweries, distilleries
• Retail stores
• Entertainment/attractions (i.e., cinema, bowling alley, etc.)
• Rideshare/transit hub
• Event and conference space
• Apartments/condominiums

What else could the district be used for? The survey asks fans how likely they would be to come to the district and/or stadium for events such as:

• Concerts
• Comedy festivals/events
• Community art nights/festivals
• Conventions
• E-sports tournaments
• Fantasy sports drafts
• High school sporting events
• Holiday-themed events
• Religious speakers or gatherings
• Sporting watch parties (i.e., March Madness, Super Bowl, etc.)
• TopGolf Life or similar on-field golf experiences

That last one is pretty intriguing. Surveys just started going out today to fans who have purchased a ticket to a football game in the last four years, given money to the K Fund, or even bought something from UKTeamShop.com. If you have thoughts on the gameday atmosphere at Kroger Field, that survey will go out at the end of the year. For now, you’ve got an opportunity to let UK Athletics know what you want an upgraded Kroger Field and its surroundings to look like, so don’t waste it.