How will the new Doak Campbell Stadium project affect me?
Thousands of Florida State’s season ticket holders eagerly await the Seminoles’ season opener against Alabama on Aug. 30 and the reveal of the most dramatic renovation of Doak Campbell Stadium since it was built in 1950. Still, others remain anxious about the changes to the iconic stadium, wondering: How will the changes to Doak affect me?
Season ticket holders, especially those on the west side, are asking about the cost of seats and the value they will derive from the new features. And for those who don’t attend home games, they wonder how the west stadium will look, sound and feel during television broadcasts.
In the first part of The Osceola’s series on the $250 million project we focused on why the east side of the 74-year-old stadium was renovated and the west side replaced. In the second part we focus on the west side seating options offered to those season ticket holders whose bleacher seats were removed by the project and the seat selection dates.
Focused on west side seat holders
The demolition and reconstruction of the west side of Doak Campbell Stadium with wider seats, more legroom and wider aisles reduced seating capacity and that forced a total reseating. Over the past two years, Florida State has focused exclusively on meeting with those account holders. The ticket representatives scheduled one-on-one meetings to explain the details of each of the new seating sections on the westside to help ticket holders understand their new seating options.
FSU conducted more than 4,000 one-on-one presentations, with many reserving one of the three premium priced products – eight Founders Suites, 32 Founders Loges and nearly 2,300 premium club seats – or the mid-priced chair-back seats and lower-priced west sideline bleacher seats. Others chose the Dunlap Champions Club or bleacher section elsewhere in the stadium, while still others have yet to choose.
Those ticket holders who reserved 2025 season tickets will be among the first to select seats in the exclusive re-seating process. Westside ticket holders, who have yet to reserve 2025 season tickets, are encouraged to do so to participate in the reseating process.
Seat selection dates:
Dunlap Champions Club – Ongoing
West Sideline Club – March 18 – March 24
West Chair-back – April 1 – April 7
Bleacher and Parking – May (dates TBD)
While the focus of this article is on the west sideline seating products and pricing, which has increased for many, and significantly so for some, we’d be remiss if we didn’t report the price of seating remains unchanged in the main stadium seating on the east sideline, and the north and south end zones.
| New section numbers | Previous numbers | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
108-110 | 9-11 | $750 | $750 |
107, 111-112 | 8, 12-13 | $550 | $550 |
113-120 | 14-16, 117-119 | $400 | $335 |
122-126 | 121-123 | $400 | $335 |
Chair-back seat product
The Chair-back seat section is located right above the club seats on the west sideline and features a 20-inch-wide, mesh-bottom seat with backrest, armrests and cup holders and an extra six inches of legroom. In addition to comfort, the extra legroom makes it easier to get to and from seats.
Chair-back seat holders also have access to the new stadium amenities, which include well-lit concourses, enhanced concessions, restrooms, a social gathering area with a bar on the south end of the west concourse, as well as wider aisles with handrails and speed steps to make the path to seat safer and easier than in years past. The modern design of the concourses will also improve the flow and movement of people throughout the stadium, limiting congestion and time spent in lines.
Chair-back seat prices
| New section | Previous number | Number | Price including booster contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 sections | 131-133 | 33-35 | $2000 per seat ($500 per seat, $1,500 annual contribution credit) |
Zone 2 sections | 130-134 | 31-32, 38-39 | $1,500 per seat ($500 per seat, $1,000 annual contribution credit) |
Zone 3 sections | 129, 135 | 29-30, 36-37 | $1,250 per seat ($500 seat price, $750 annual contribution credit) |
The chair-back price includes the ticket price ($500) as well as the annual contribution to Seminole Boosters, which determines membership benefits.
Chairback seats also require a one-time, tax-deductible, capital campaign contribution ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per seat based on location and can be paid over three years. These tax-deductible gifts are vital to funding both the Doak project and the new Dunlap Football Operations Building.
Chair-backs priced between club seats and bleacher seats
The chairback seat prices are less than half the price of the premium Club Seats, but still a larger investment than many ticket holders paid for bleacher seats in prior years.
How much more?
Well, that depends on what a ticket holder chose to spend in years past. For example, the new annual price for two seats at midfield (Zone 1 between the 30s) is $4,000, which is $50 more than what a Silver Chief ($3250) with two bleacher seats ($700) paid after capital campaign gift is paid.
But those same two Zone 1 seats require $2,300 more for a ticket holder who paid $1,700 for two seats with the minimum contribution ($500 per seat).
Ticket holders will also have the option to select chair-back seats in Zone 2 (30 to 15 yard line) during the seat selection process at $3,000 for two seats (plus capital gift). They could also select seats in Zone 3 (15 to goal line) and pay $2500 for two chairbacks (plus capital gift).An economic option is to select two seats in the west sideline bleachers (endzone sideline) for $1200 (see below).
West sideline bleacher seats
The enhanced bleacher seats, located on the west sideline of the north and south end zone are priced at $600 per seat, which includes the seat price ($350) and $250 toward a Seminole Booster membership. The enhanced west sideline seats do not require a capital campaign gift.
| New Section Number | Previous Section Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
127-128 | 27-28 | $600 includes seat price, $350 and $250 booster membership |
136-37 | 36-37 | $600 includes seat price, $350 and $250 booster membership |
These west sideline bleachers have been enhanced with six inches more legroom and at least two inches more width than prior year bleachers. And these seats share all the amenities of the modern west concourses, concessions, restrooms and social gathering area with a bar mentioned in the Chair-back section above.
Price comparison isn't apples to apples
While it is natural to want to make an apples-to-apples price comparison, how do you do it when you have apples-to-bananas products; a 74-year-old stadium vs. a brand-new stadium?
While some ticket holders have no problem visualizing how this new seat experience compares to the past, most people wonder how the new seats will look and feel compared to the bleachers of prior years? How much value is there for me to have a 20-inch Chairback seat over the snug 15-to-16-inch metal bleacher with less legroom?
It’s a significant question that’s hard for ticket holders to answer until they see it and feel it.
Some ticket holders, who struggled to climb Doak’s steps, are factoring the “speed steps” and handrails into their value analysis. Rather than struggling with stairs that were 8 or more inches tall, the speed step cuts the rise of each stair in half, and the handrail provides added ease and security.And how do you place a dollar value on the enhanced restrooms, which will be brand new and more plentiful, especially the women’s facilities, or the social gathering area with adult beverages?
Naturally, there are many features to consider, and each of us have our own individual calculations.
Making those value comparisons is difficult when all you have to work with is written words, renderings and construction pictures. For that reason, it was important for FSU to invest all the time it took to schedule face-to-face interactions which were intended to help existing ticket holders understand the difference in experience and price, as well as the many seating options now available in Doak.
The stadium is now at the point where ticket holders can sign up for hard hat tours to help visualize the size of the concourses and the scope of the project as well as to feel the differences. Stay in touch with your ticket representative to schedule a tour.
Memories lie ahead
Season ticket holders have been concerned about the impact these changes will have on the spirit of Doak. And while their anxiety is understandable, those of us who have traveled to away games and bowl games know this -- FSU fans bring the party wherever they go.
To my way of thinking, where I sit at the party matters less than attending the party to see old friends, conjure memories, stir emotions, and make new friends and memories. How about you? How do you think the new stadium will affect you?
It won’t be long before the University of Alabama rolls into Doak for a long-overdue welcome that I don’t want to miss. So, find a chair, any chair, and make the Alabama game the party folks will be talking about for another 74 years.
We hope this series on the Doak project answers a few questions and inspires you to call the ticket office to make sure you are making a fact-based decision in time to be among the first to select seats in the new Doak Campbell Stadium.
Look for the third installment of this series – listing all the seating options in Doak – prior to the public seat selection process coming later this spring. If you’d like to share your seating experience with me for an upcoming article, or want to discuss, you can email me at jkutz@theOsceola.com or call 850.508.8690.
Join the Osceola for 30 days for free, using promo code Osceola30
Follow The Osceola on Facebook
Follow The Osceola on Twitter
Subscribe to the Osceola's YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Osceola's podcasts on Apple
Topics
-
Seahawks' 2025 season projection with Sam Darnold, according to the SportsLine Projection Model
With Geno Smith out and Sam Darnold in, the model has crunched the numbers on how the quarterback switch affects the Seahawks' season outlookCBS Sports - 3d -
‘Eiffel Tower of the north’? Manchester United unveil 100,000-seat new stadium project
Officials say plan will create 92,000 jobs and 17,000 homes Architect Norman Foster puts ‘vast umbrella’ over ground A new 100,000-seat stadium that will be the largest in the UK. A venue ...The Guardian - 4d -
New Manchester United stadium a ‘risk’ to team’s competitiveness, admits CEO
Berrada hopes investment in team will not be affected Plan to build £2bn stadium in five years has this in mind Omar Berrada has admitted it is a “risk” for Manchester United to try to build a ...The Guardian - 3d -
Manchester United reveals plans for new 100,000-seater stadium
Arena is expected to cost at least £2bn and be the ‘centrepiece’ of a major regeneration projectFinancial Times - 4d -
Scaroni gives stadium update and admits Milan are ‘asking ourselves questions about the future’
AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has commented on the new stadium project with Inter, and admitted that it has been a disappointing season which forces questions on the future.It was a week of news ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Bacon, mungbean and cheese? How soaring egg prices are affecting New York’s most famous sandwich
Delis are turning to plant-based egg substitutes as bird flu and inflation push up the cost of the real thing. But how does the faux BEC compare?. Like a yellow taxi or the pizza rat, the bacon, ...The Guardian - 2d -
New San Siro Project Far from Being Really Underway
Inter and Milan have submitted their proposal to buy the San Siro area and build a new stadium, which is technically called DOCFAP. However, as it often happens due to the Italian red tape, the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Guitarist Mike Campbell had a challenging relationship with Tom Petty, but 'love and respect' never wavered
In his new memoir, Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell recalls the highs and lows of working with Tom Petty.Los Angeles Times - 1d -
Watch: Man Utd release images of new stadium
Look at plans for Manchester United's new stadium as they aim to build an "iconic" new 100,000-seater ground close to Old Trafford.BBC News - 4d -
Man Utd's new stadium - 11 key questions
BBC Sport looks at some of the key questions surrounding Manchester United's proposed new stadium.BBC News - 4d -
Parris Campbell, Kyle Juszczyk reportedly agree to new NFL contracts with Cowboys, 49ers
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate Parris Campbell and Cloverleaf High School graduate Kyle Juszczyk recently struck deals in NFL free agency.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Man Utd to leave Old Trafford for new stadium
Manchester United have officially announced plans to leave Old Trafford, their home for more than 100 years, and move into a new stadium.ESPN - 4d -
Manchester United to replace Old Trafford with new 100,000-seater stadium
Soccer giant Manchester United plans to say goodbye to its storied Old Trafford stadium and build a new 100,000-seat stadium nearby.NBC News - 4d -
Rays not moving forward with new stadium plans
The Tampa Bay Rays will not proceed with the development of a $1.3 billion baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, principal owner Stuart Sternberg said.ESPN - 2d -
Man United's new stadium will be big, but it won't be world's biggest football ground
Manchester United's proposed new 100,000-seat home will be one of the world's largest soccer stadiums, but it won't be the biggest.ESPN - 3d -
‘We have ignored lessons’: how Covid continues to affect lives five years later
The ways the pandemic has shaken Guardian readers’ worlds – from new businesses to difficulty socialising. It’s been five years since the Trump administration declared a nationwide emergency ...The Guardian - 2d -
Man Utd CEO: New stadium poses 'risk' to team
Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has admitted the club "risk" falling further behind their rivals while they invest in their new stadium.ESPN - 3d -
I was crying, anxious, exhausted – why did no one warn me about the new-pet blues?
After weeks of looking forward to getting a cat, I was shocked at how miserable I was with Leo on the scene. But many cat and dog owners struggle to cope. As I sat on the sofa with my sister, my ...The Guardian - 5d -
Fifa accused of blocking labour inspection at 2026 World Cup stadium
Building and Wood Workers’ International makes claim Stadium in question is Azteca in Mexico City Fifa has been accused of reneging on a commitment to ensure workers’ safety on World Cup ...The Guardian - 4d -
How a reverse mortgage affects generational wealth
When used strategically, a reverse mortgage can support generational wealth while allowing you to age in place.CBS News - 2d -
Who is Manchester United’s new stadium for?
Norman Foster’s redesign of Old Trafford brings to the fore a long-standing uneasiness about the monetisation of footballFinancial Times - 21h -
‘Finding time for pleasure’: what orcas taught me about sex in midlife
Female killer whales lead playful sex lives as they age – and are also celebrated for their matriarchal wisdom. How much do you spend on health and wellness a month? Four years ago, I was ...The Guardian - 2d -
The Rays get 120 hours to make the Yankees' spring stadium their own. Here's how they'll do it
When Tampa Bay players leave Steinbrenner Field following the New York Yankees’ spring training home finale on March 23, their staff will launch a 120-hour transformation of the ballpark for the ...ABC News - 5d -
Developers reveal proposal for new Chicago Bears stadium on city's South Side
The developers of a tract of land on Chicago's South Side launched a Hail Mary they hope keeps the Bears in the city, revealing renderings on Friday for an enclosed stadium and mixed-use ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Cowboys agree to terms with WR Parris Campbell
Parris Campbell is headed to Dallas, the Cowboys announced Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
How To Unlock Caldarus Romance Option In Fields Of Mistria
Fields of Mistria 's Caldarus romance is here at last, though getting the dragon guardian's affection takes rather a lot of work. His human form is tied to a new quest that requires several rare ...GameSpot - 1d -
Man Utd plan to build 'iconic' £2bn 100,000-capacity stadium
Manchester United announce plans to build the biggest stadium in the UK - an "iconic" new £2bn 100,000-seater ground close to Old Trafford.BBC News - 4d -
Flight cancellations at Germany’s Hamburg Airport affect more than 40,000 passengers after strike
Flight cancellations at Hamburg Airport after a surprise strike by workers affected more than 40,000 passengers on Sunday, a day before a planned wider protest across Germany amid new contract ...NBC News - 6d -
ZA/UM Studio unveils Project [C4] as its upcoming espionage RPG
ZA/UM Studio today introduced its next game, codenamed Project [C4], a new mind-warping espionage RPG.VentureBeat - 4d -
49ers get good news in 1st round of new mock draft
Along with being named a consensus All-American, Campbell won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the top offensive lineman in the SEC.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones: How the Colts' 2025 season projects with each quarterback
Are the Colts better off with Anthony Richardson or the newly signed Daniel Jones? The SportsLine Projection Model has the answerCBS Sports - 2d -
How COVID-19 Still Affects the Economy 5 Years Later
Though the pandemic shock has ended, COVID-19 continues to shape the economy.Inc. - 6d -
How to Turn Cities Into Biketopias? Make it Harder to Drive There
In New York and other cities where congestion pricing policies, bike infrastructure projects, and car bans have been put in place, cyclists are finding the streets more welcoming.Wired - 5d -
Sadiq Khan backs plan for new basketball stadium for London Lions
Team plans 10,000 capacity arena in central area under new Lithuanian ownerFinancial Times - 6d -
Roy Lopez wants to coach one day, picked Detroit Lions to learn how from Dan Campbell
Roy Lopez is expected to play a rotational role at DT this fall for a Detroit Lions team that could be without Alim McNeill to start the season.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Jets part with Aaron Rodgers: Justin Fields slightly improves playoff chances, per projection model
The SportsLine Projection Model says New York's prospects for a long-awaited postseason appearance increase a bit with recent quarterback changeCBS Sports - 3d -
Inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country compares
Inflationary pressures are beginning to wane but not all central banks have taken action yet. See how this affects youFinancial Times - 3d -
A Tech CEO Told Me Industry Expertise is the New Technical Expertise
As AI shakes up software teams, coders should learn new skills outside of tech.Inc. - 2d -
Commentary: Unlike 'The Baldwins,' Halyna Hutchins documentary grapples with reality of 'Rust' shooting
On their reality show, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin discuss how the 'Rust' shooting affected their lives, but a new documentary about Halyna Hutchins reminds us who the real victim was.Los Angeles Times - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cowboys add receiver Parris Campbell, who will be on his 3rd NFC East team in 3 seasons
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent Parris Campbell agreed on a one-year contract Saturday, putting the receiver on his third NFC East team in three seasons. Campbell saw limited action with the ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
With the win, Dave Van Horn now has 900 as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle struggled out of the gate, but settled in as the innings went by and ended up ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Hobbs scores 18 points, Mount St. Mary's wins first MAAC Championship title with 63-49 win over Iona
Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Caufield powers Canadiens to 3-1 victory over Panthers
Cole Caufield scored his team-leading 33rd goal and added an assist to help the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Saturday night. Patrik Laine and Christian Dvorak — with his ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
SEC Championship - Tennessee vs. Florida Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Cowboys add receiver Parris Campbell, who will be on his 3rd NFC East team in 3 seasons
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent Parris Campbell agreed on a one-year contract Saturday, putting the receiver on his third NFC East team in three seasons. Campbell saw limited action with the ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
With the win, Dave Van Horn now has 900 as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle struggled out of the gate, but settled in as the innings went by and ended up ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Hobbs scores 18 points, Mount St. Mary's wins first MAAC Championship title with 63-49 win over Iona
Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Champions League qualification is the only positive Man City have left -- and they might miss it
Man City's awful season could end with one positive: qualification for next season's Champions League. But they are playing so poorly, they might not even get there.ESPN - 17m -
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 17m