The University of Connecticut Department of Athletics announced Tuesday its Phase 1 of a significant renovation project at Gampel Pavilion, the iconic home of UConn Basketball.
"Gampel Pavilion is one of the most electric atmospheres in all of college basketball, and our student-athletes and fans deserve a facility that matches the standard we hold ourselves to every day," said Director of Athletics David Benedict. "UConn is the Basketball Capital of the World, and this investment ensures that when you walk through those doors, you feel it. We are incredibly excited about what this project means for the future of our programs.”
The multi-phase renovation project is being funded by $99.4 million in non-tax revenue raised through the sale of State of Connecticut “UConn 2000” bonds authorized by the General Assembly.
The renovations represent a major investment in the infrastructure that has long defined UConn's storied men's and women's basketball programs, as well as the overall fan experience. The first phase of the project includes a full roof replacement, the creation of a comprehensive Basketball Gameday Suite — featuring state-of-the-art recruiting lounge, sports medicine space, team and coaches’ locker rooms, a coaches' lounge and conference room, upgrades to the basketball officials' locker room, and a dedicated fully integrated post-game press and athletics meeting space.
New grab-and-go food concessions will replace the current concession stands on each of the four corners of the bowl, alleviating congestion at the existing concession venues. As a side benefit, congestion outside the nearby restroom entryways will also be eased with the continuous flow through the stands.
Gampel Pavilion renovations under Phase 1 are expected to be completed in November 2026.
Phase 2 of the project is expected to get underway in March 2027 and will include premium gameday spaces, and additional philanthropy-focused spaces designed to generate new income streams as well as a student-athlete training table/nutrition. Further are expected to be announced at a later date, according to UConn Athletics.
UConn has engaged with DPR Construction as the project's construction manager, along with S/L/A/M Collaborative as the lead designer, Legends Global as the owners' representative, and Jack Porter as the Basketball Suite graphics design firm.
