Jacksonville Jaguars begin season at a reduced-capacity EverBank Stadium

Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping said that with millions of details involving the construction of the Stadium of the Future, milestones such as getting the 2026 season underway with reduced capacity enable the team and fans to foresee the finished product in 2028.

"There's been a handful, maybe more than a handful, a couple handfuls of really critical construction milestones," he said Aug. 20 after giving the media a tour of the stadium a day before the first preseason game on Aug. 21 against the Carolina Panthers (7:30 p.m., CBS-47).

"Getting the demolition done and then getting it back up to play the season was a big one," he said. "The next big one that our fans can see as they go through the season is when the steel structure supporting

the roof is complete. That should be the first quarter of next year. There's no question it gets you excited. It's also an affirmation that you're on schedule."

That much is true to this point. Tropical weather could always hinder operations. But Lamping said the process, while not always smooth, is still on the same course.

"There's been a million steps," he said. "I wish I could say that there have been a million steps in a straight line. It hasn't been. You know, there might be a half million of those million have been in a straight line. The other ones have been dealing and working around issues. But we're still on schedule."

The upper bowl has been closed off due to construction and the Jags will play six games in Jacksonville in a lower-bowl capacity of 42,500 seats and will play their home games at Orlando's Camping World Stadium in 2027.

Team officials say that aside from the obvious differences inside the stadium (27,000 fewer seats) and the look outside the stadium (huge cranes and other heavy equipment), the game day experience won't be much different from last season, when construction was getting underway in earnest.

Here's some of the good news: Spaces in stadium parking lots will be similar in proportion to the number of seats, which won't hinder fans from getting from the lots to their seats. The same number of gates will be in use, and fans will still get to their seats by stairs or elevator to the main concourse, and then walking down to their seats.

Because there won't be fans using the concourse to get to the upper deck, the congestion should be minimized.

"We feel that coming into the stadium will be as good, if not better, than it's been before," said Chad Johnson, the Jaguars Chief Operating Officer.

Will roads leading to the stadium be affected?

Access roads to the stadium haven't been affected to any great degree by construction. The Fuller Warren, Acosta, Hart and Matthews Bridges will still lead to the stadium, and roads within the sports complex footprint remain open.

There will be one key exception, beginning on Aug. 24, for traffic leaving the downtown area: Southbound lanes on the Main Street Bridge will be reduced to one lane, and the southbound pedestrian walkway will close for Riverfront Plaza improvements.

Northbound traffic will maintain two open lanes. The restrictions run through Jan. 30, 2027, and drivers should expect delays and use alternative routes.

What parking lots will be open?

All of the lots that were in use last year. Some spaces have been lost, but replaced with other lots, such as the Cypress Lot on the East side of the stadium across the street from Lot E.

The Jaguars also will have 20 shuttles in use on game days to take fans from the more distant lots (Cypress, S, X and Z).

What gates will be open?

Gates 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be open, with minor variations.

For example, Gate 2 and the West Club entrance will be combined. Gate 4, which was the stadium's "Super Gate" in 2025, has been downsized (the ramp from Gate 4 near the South end zone has been closed) and Gate 3 is now the largest entrance. There will be "grand staircases" entering Gates 2 and 3 near the North end zone and escalators and an elevator in the South end zone after entering Gate 4.

The East Club gate is unaffected but open only to club ticket holders.

A new gate, No. 7, has been opened between the Flex Field behind Daly's Place.

Will the EverBank Stadium Spas be open?

Sorry to the fans who enjoyed the cabana areas and spas (or pools, if you will). Both pools and cabana areas will be closed until the Stadium of the Future reopens in 2028.

Jaguars stress patience

The Jaguars are asking fans to be ready with their smartphones entering stadium lots and the ticket areas. Fans should have their digital parking passes and tickets downloaded on their smartphone wallet before leaving for the stadium and have the parking pass ready to be scanned before turning into a lot, and likewise with the mobile tickets before walking to a gate.

Stadium lots will be open four hours before game times (3:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 vs. Tampa Bay) and gates will open three hours before (4:30 p.m. in the case of both preseason games.

Mobility assistance will be offered to those who request it near each stadium entry gate. Signage and Guest Services will be available to guide ticket holders.

Fans can stay up to date on the Stadium of the Future by visiting jaguars.com/stadiumofthefuture.

Jaguars fans can stay cool

The First Coast is in the midst of a heat wave and the Jaguars want fans to stay safe and hydrated.

Two commercially branded, factory-sealed, plastic, 16.9 oz. size or less bottles of water per ticket holder are permitted. Refillable bottled water stations can be found at all water fountains throughout the stadium.

Complimentary cups are also available at all guest services booths to use at stadium water fountains.

A JTA cooling bus is available near Gate 1 by Grand Staircase 1.

The South End Zone and Daily’s Place provide shaded space with concessions and seating.

Should assistance be needed, guests should alert the nearest Guest Services Team member or visit a Guest Services booth situated in the following locations: Main Concourse, north end zone at Section 123; southeast corner at Section 144; southwest corner at Section 102; near ramp 3 at Section 130. Gallagher Club members can get assistance at ground level outside the elevators on the upper and lower levels.

Fans will enjoy reduced-price concessions

The Jaguars will introduce a "Fan First Favorites" menu for the 2026 season featuring the venue’s most popular concession items for $4.99, including hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, nachos, candy, 16.9 oz. water and select 12 oz. domestic beer. The items can be purchased at any "Stadium Classics" concession stands on the Main Concourse level and in the upper Gallagher East and West Clubs.

Other Jaguars vs. Panthers game day information

Play Football Month: The Jaguars will celebrate the growth of girls’ flag football across Northeast Florida, with four-time defending NJCAA Women's Flag Football National Champions Florida Gateway College of Lake City recognized in the South End Zone.

At halftime, the 10U Jaguars Elite will play the 10U Jaguars Elite Stealth in a girls flag football scrimmage with Jaxson de Ville serving as the celebrity referee.

First 'Duuuval:' The first "Duuuval" of 2026 will be by Jaguars Legend Aaron Beasley. Beasley played cornerback for the Jaguars from 1996-2001, recording 15 interceptions (second-most in franchise history), including two pick-sixes. He was also named among the Top 20 on the Jaguars’ All-25 Team.

Game Day Patriotism: The National Anthem will be performed by Jacksonville native Emma Laine, a Nashville recording artist who performs in both country and Christian genres. The anthem will be signed by Mikayla Grey, a student from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. … During the anthem, American flags will be held by athletes and coaches from local high school girls flag football programs. … The colors will be presented by members of the of the Terry Parker NJROTC Color Guard. … AWR2 Kevin Crudup is the Bell Ringer of the game. He currently serves as a U.S. Navy Tactical Helicopter Naval Aircrewman and is an instructor at the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, a Fleet Replacement Squadron based at NS Mayport, where he plays a key role in providing high-risk training for future Aircrewmen.

Veteran of the game: Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Marcott will be honored as the Veteran of the Game. A Jacksonville native, Staff Sgt. Marcott enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2009 as a 92Y Unit Supply Specialist, completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, and AIT at Fort Lee. He has served in key supply and logistics roles, including deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009-2010) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2012-2013).

He also served as Joint Forces S4 NCOIC for the Military Information Support Task Force Central and later as Senior Supply Sergeant with Headquarters, 715th Military Intelligence Battalion. Transitioning to the Army Reserves in 2018, he served with the 1186th in Louisville until retiring in July 2021.

Community Champion of the Game: During the third quarter, the Jaguars will honor Dr. Chanley H. Dudley, president of the DePaul School for Dyslexia Board of Directors and Chair of its Development Committee.

Reminders to Jaguars fans

Clear Bag Policy: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in effect at EverBank Stadium. Fans are encouraged to leave all bags at home, but, if one is necessary, it should be either a clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5.” Non-clear belt bags and fanny packs are prohibited.

Umbrellas Prohibited: Umbrellas remain a prohibited item at the stadium. For a full list of prohibited items, please visit Jaguars Bag Policy & Prohibited Items at jaguars.com.

Cashless Transactions: Cash is not accepted anywhere in the stadium. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including Apple, Google and Samsung Pay.

Rideshare Pick-Up: Guests utilizing rideshare for transportation following the game should arrange a meeting location on the west side of the stadium on Beaver Street, near Lot Z. Guests are encouraged to exit on the west side of the stadium for the most direct route to meet rideshare drivers.

No Drone Zone: Drones are not permitted to fly anywhere over EverBank Stadium or any of its adjacent parking lots.

Jaguars vs. Panthers, Game Day timeline

3:30 p.m.: All parking lots open; Miller Electric Center Pro Shop opens.

4:30 p.m.: Gates 1, 4 and 7 open; Fan Entertainment Zone and Cool Zone opens (South End Zone near Gate 1).

5:30 p.m.: All stadium gates and areas open.

7:20 p.m.: D-LINE performance.

7:21 p.m.: The Roar of the Jaguars performance.

7:27 p.m.: Jaguars team introductions.

7:37 p.m.: Kickoff.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars begin season at a reduced-capacity EverBank Stadium