The San Francisco 49ers NFL team has announced wide-ranging plans to enhance the fan experience at Levi’s Stadium as the venue prepares to host both the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The 49ers are investing $200m (£151m/€179m) back into Levi’s Stadium across various areas, including luxury spaces. Over 120 luxury suites are being remodelled to include modern furnishings and technology.
Half of all suite renovations were completed during the offseason, with the remaining half to be completed ahead of the 2025 campaign. Several other projects will be carried out ahead of the 2025 season, including new video boards, which will give Levi’s Stadium the largest 4K display in the NFL.
Another 13,000 square feet of LED screens will also be upgraded, while a new LED field lighting system will brighten the playing surface for night games while conserving energy.
Fans arriving at Levi’s Stadium from the north will now enter via Xfinity Gate A, while the Cache Creek Field Club will host an all-inclusive buffet for select ticket holders for the 2024 season.
Levi’s Stadium has also been fitted with new Cisco Wi-Fi 6 infrastructure, featuring 1,300 access points. There are also plans to upgrade the stadium’s Verizon wireless network, while the venue will feature a new 5G Distributed Antenna System.
Additionally, the stadium’s Graton Winners Club will feature two new open-air patio bars and other fan-facing activations. Frictionless concession stands have also been fitted on the main concourse.
The announcement has been made today (Tuesday) and comes after Levi’s Stadium last month celebrated 10 years since opening. In 2026, it will become the first stadium to host both the World Cup and the Super Bowl in the same year.
Francine Melendez Hughes, executive vice-president and general manager of stadium operations for the 49ers, said: “After executing a packed non-NFL events schedule including five soccer matches and three concerts, our stadium operations team has turned the page to football.
“We have been hard at work renovating and upgrading parts of the stadium for fans, but the work isn’t done yet. Some of our biggest projects are still to come. We are excited to continue innovating to give fans one of the best viewing experiences in the NFL.”
Erie County to issue Bills stadium bonds
Elsewhere in the NFL, Buffalo Bills fans are being offered the chance to purchase municipal bonds to help fund the team’s new stadium project.
Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz revealed that the general public will be able to buy bonds to support the county’s portion of the stadium costs. Erie County is providing $250m towards the stadium, which will have a capacity of around 63,000 and is scheduled to open in 2026.
Those interested in purchasing ‘Bills Bonds’ will be required to set up an account with one of the agencies selling the bonds, which include J.P. Morgan and Jefferies. The minimum investment allowed will be $5,000, which will be returned with interest.
The total cost of the Bills’ new stadium will be $1.4bn. New York State has committed $600m, while the NFL, through its G4 loan programme, and the Bills will provide $550m.
