JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Get ready to step into a new era of EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville city leaders joined members of the Jaguars administration Friday to unveil one of the first visible elements of the stadium renovations.

City leaders, and of course the beloved Jaxon DeVille, took their first steps on the Stadium of the Future. They cut the ribbon on the first of four staircases that will be used to take people up to the next level of the venue.

“It represents another rendering becoming a reality in our city,” Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said.

Deegan was joined by Jags President Mark Lamping and Executive Vice President Tony Boselli, along with members of Jacksonville city council Friday to tout their excitement surrounding the ongoing stadium renovations.

“EverBank is going to be a place that when teams around the league come to play us, they are going to know they are in for a fight,” Boselli said.

Stadium renovations are about five percent complete with most of the work so far being done underground. Part of the plan is to remove the pedestrian ramps and widen the concourses to reduce congestion. 

The east and west suite lounges and club entrances are also getting a makeover. The Jags released renderings of those plans Friday afternoon.

The new staircase is the first visible project of the renovated stadium and is ready for people to walk up and down during Monday’s primetime game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Fans will also be able to use Gate 1 which has been expanded to become another super-gate.

Lamping touted the impact the renovations will have on the local economy. He said more than 28% of the work has gone to contractors through the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business program.

“We’ve been focusing on keeping the work local and to the degree that the project can leave a legacy. The way it leaves a legacy is that it gives a step up to an emerging business,” Lamping explained.

Construction is still on track to be completed by the 2028 season. There is still no decision on whether the Jags will play in Orlando or Gainesville for the 2027 season.

Lamping added a portion of the pedestrian ramp near Gate 1 will be demolished sometime next week.

While a staircase might not seem like much, to Deegan and the Jags it symbolizes the steps they are taking to move Jacksonville forward.

“To see this beginning…I just want everyone to understand this is the emergence of our city. This is such a big part of the emergence of our city and this is such an amazing day for the Jacksonville and it’s only going to get better,” Deegan said.

Deegan also signed a proclamation declaring Monday, Oct. 6, as ‘Turn Up in Teal Day.’