JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new season means a new game day experience for Jaguars fans.

Saturday’s preseason opener gave thousands of fans their first look inside the EverBank Stadium since construction began in February.

“It made entrancing to the game a little different, but we navigated through it,” said Willie Cummings Sr., a season ticket holder. “New construction is positive.”

Cummings Sr. says by the time he made it to his seats for the preseason opener, it was the same view he’s used to.

Getting to those seats was a bit different, however, as he immediately noticed the escalator he’s used for years wasn’t available.

“We had to take the ramp due to the construction,” Cummings Sr. said. “I’m 64 years old. I need the escalator.”

While the escalators by Gates 2 and 3 are gone, there are still elevators and the escalator by the South End Zone for fans who need them.

The Jaguars started construction on the canopy and concourse expansion and are working on the main staircase by Gate 1.

“We’re excited to see being shielded from the sun because it’s hot in the summers,” said Andrew Sims, a season ticket holder. “We’re excited to see the new stuff.”

The Jaguars say that while parking, entry and getting to seats will be different this season, once you get to your seats, the in-bowl game experience should be the same, as well as the path around the main concourse.

“We had to move over to Zone 2 to go in,” Sims said. “Typically we go through West Gallagher, but it was still easy to get to. No issues.”

According to the Stadium of the Future plan, occupancy will stay the same for this season, then drop to 43,500 for 2026. The Jags will leave EverBank for 2027, and the stadium is set to open in time for kickoff in Fall 2028.

Cummings says he’ll do whatever it takes to get to his seats all season long to cheer on the Jags.

“Season ticket holder, season parking pass, all in,” Cummings Sr. said. “We just need to win.

 Plus, he has an offer they can’t refuse.

“If they ever need a receiver, I’ve got 10 touchdowns in me for the season,” Cummings Sr. said.

The Jags recommend planning ahead and going to the gate listed on your ticket to get the most direct route to your seat, and that may change throughout the season depending on the construction progress from one game to the next.