Improved Lighting and Ribbon Boards Coming to Kroger Field
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Improved lighting and ribbon video boards are coming to Kroger Field. The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved the facility enhancements on Friday.
The LED lighting system will include the ability to do light shows during timeouts and breaks in play similar to those at games in Rupp Arena and Kentucky Proud Park.
The new ribbon boards have greater functionality, featuring sharper visual resolution than the previous set and expanded capability for display of video and graphics.
The stadium upgrades, expected to be completed before the 2024 season and designed to enhance the gameday experience, build on the new videoboards introduced for the 2022 season and the new playing surface that debuted for 2023. In 2015, the stadium underwent a $126 million renovation.
The project will be funded privately and was initially approved by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2022. The ribbon boards, which were installed in 2011, have exceeded their useful life.
“We’re excited to begin this project to enhance the fan experience in Kroger Field,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “Our fans have supported the Wildcats so well over the years and we look forward to bringing a modern, and technologically advanced lighting and ribbon board system to Kroger Field. These improvements will level up the gameday environment and help our fans continue to create great energy in our stadium.
Constructed in 1973 and originally called Commonwealth Stadium, the 2015 renovation included a new press box, loge box seats, club seats, recruiting room, suites, concourses, bathrooms, lights and exterior facade while setting capacity around 61,000.
The Board of Trustees also approved gifts of $10 million from Larry T. Gibson, $8 million from Joe and Ambassador Kelly Craft and $1 million from Jim and Sheila Master, whose previously announced, donation will be split evenly between UK Athletics and the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics.
About UK Athletics
UK Athletics is a leader in college sports, sponsoring 23 varsity sports teams (12 women’s teams, 10 men’s teams, plus the coed rifle team) and hundreds of student-athletes, competing for championships, ensuring their education and well-being, and providing opportunities for the present and future.
UK Athletics is committed to putting rings on fingers and diplomas in hands.
