Florida Construction News staff writer
University of West Florida reached a historic milestone Feb. 11, 2026, officially breaking ground on the Darrell Gooden Stadium, a multi-use football and events facility representing the university’s continued growth and investment in the community.
University leaders, student-athletes, donors, community partners and elected officials gathered on campus to celebrate the start of construction on the project, which is designed to enhance the student experience and serve as a hub for community engagement.
UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said the groundbreaking marks more than the beginning of construction.
“The Darrell Gooden Stadium represents an important step forward for the University of West Florida, creating a place where students, alumni and the community can come together around shared traditions and feel proud to be Argonauts,” Diaz said, thanking the Escambia County Tourist Development Council, the Gooden family and donors for their support.
The new stadium will expand seating capacity from about 3,800 to 7,500. Plans call for premium seating, club areas and suites, along with modern amenities intended to enhance the game-day experience and support a variety of events beyond football.
Athletics Director Dave Scott said the facility will provide student-athletes with a championship-caliber home and bring football and major events to the center of campus.
“By bringing football and major events directly to the heart of our campus, we are creating an unmatched game-day environment that will strengthen the bond between our University and the entire Pensacola community for generations to come,” Scott said.
The stadium is funded through a mix of institutional investment and donor support, including a lead gift exceeding $9 million that secured the naming rights. The project also received a $2 million grant from Escambia County’s Tourist Development Council through the Tourist Development Tax, recognizing the facility’s anticipated impact on tourism and economic activity.
Darrell Gooden, for whom the stadium is named, said he was honored by the recognition.
“I’m just blessed and proud, and I feel very honored that the stadium is going to be named after me,” Gooden said. “I’m really excited to see this thing move forward and get the new stadium done.”
Construction will continue through the 2026 season.
As part of the phased development, an 85-foot-wide by 30-foot-tall LED video board will be installed in the end zone opposite the Darrell Gooden Center in time for the 2026 season. University officials said the board will enhance the fan experience and support future media, marketing and community events as the project moves toward full completion.
