UConn announced a $99.4 million renovation of Gampel Pavilion this week, as the Connecticut institution aims to transform the home arena for UConn women's basketball.
Phase 1 construction starts immediately, and will finish in November 2026. UConn director of athletics David Benedict said the facility needs to reflect the caliber of its teams.
"Gampel Pavilion is one of the most electric atmospheres in all of college basketball," Benedict said. "Our student-athletes and fans deserve a facility that matches the standard we hold ourselves to every day."
The project is funded via non-tax revenue raised from "UConn 2000" bonds authorized by Connecticut's General Assembly.
Phase 1 includes a complete roof replacement and a gameday suite featuring a state-of-the-art recruiting lounge and sports medicine space. Crews will upgrade team and coaches' locker rooms, while adding a dedicated postgame media area.
New grab-and-go food stations will replace the current concession stands on each corner, with the design aiming to reduce fan crowding during basketball games.
Phase 2 kicks off in March 2027, with more premium gameday spaces as well as philanthropy-focused areas designed to generate new income streams. Student-athlete training and nutrition facilities round out the phase.
DPR Construction will manage the renovations, with S/L/A/M Collaborative serving as lead designer. Legends Global will act as owners' representative, while Jack Porter handles Basketball Suite graphics design.
Renovation News Comes as UConn Women's Basketball Soars
The announcement comes No. 1 seed UConn women's basketball runs the NCAA tournament bracket, defeating Syracuse 98-45 on Monday to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 32nd consecutive season.
"Gampel has been home for the last five years," star Husky Azzi Fudd said after Monday's win. "Everything about this place is amazing. To be able to play here one last time, have a great team win like we did tonight, couldn't have asked for anything better."
