Bank Independent Stadium Entry Scaled E1718406093380 — A rendering of the entrance to the new Bank Independent Stadium. (University of North Alabama)

The University of North Alabama will soon be getting a new football stadium and fans were out in support Friday afternoon for the official groundbreaking.

Bank Independent Stadium will be a multipurpose stadium located on the UNA campus. Keep reading for more details about the stadium + highlights of the groundbreaking event.

Bank Independent Stadium

75F77259 Dd80 4308 Ae20 7Dba570Dbf38 1 105 C — The site of Bank Independent Stadium during the groundbreaking ceremony (Bess Christopher/ The Bama Buzz)

After over 50 years of hoping and wishing for a stadium of their own, the University of North Alabama broke ground on the Bank Independent Stadium.

The new stadium is set to cost around $65 million, and the university hopes to raise money for the building of the stadium through the Shine On, Gold fundraising campaign. The goal is to complete the stadium for the 2026 football season.

The location of the stadium is located right on campus and is set to include:

Turf field
Track
10,000 fan capacity
Suites + stadium club

The University’s baseball program will also enjoy a reimagined space for their 2025 season.

Ground Breaking ceremony for Bank Independent Stadium

A795C8Cc 883B 4B58 A29F B198E3C6F955 1 105 C — Views from the groundbreaking ceremony for The University of North Alabama (Bess Christopher/ The Bama Buzz)

Hundreds of UNA students, alumni and Florence locals showed up in support of the new stadium and to catch a first look at the new location Friday.

“I think it’s a great thing we will be having a stadium on campus. If we are going to compete at this level, we are going to need a new stadium in order to compete in recruiting.”
~ UNA Hall of Fame football player Dr. Hampton Moore

A farewell to Braly Stadium

32Df69F3 A79B 4B0A 954A 4C77A914F459 1 105 C — A view of the iconic UNA fountain (Bess Christopher/ The Bama Buzz)

UNA’s current stadium, Braly Stadium, was built in the 1940’s and is owned by Florence City Schools.

The Lions football team has played in Braly Stadium for over 70 years and they have had many successful seasons at the stadium.

“In 1980 we finished 10-2 and made it into the NCAA D-II semi-finals in the playoffs. We started that season against Middle Tennessee State at home after Braly Stadium was just being rebuilt. We ended up having a great upset at home in Braly Stadium against MTSU.”
~ UNA Hall of Fame football player Dr. Hampton Moore

However, this isn’t a goodbye to Braly Stadium just yet, the UNA football team will continue to play their home games here until the new stadium is complete.

51De8289 Dca6 43A9 B084 F4Aaf2Ac9076 1 105 C — The University of North Alabama’s gorgeous campus (Bess Christopher/ The Bama Buzz)

The UNA Lions will be playing their first game of this season in Montgomery on Saturday, August 24. Find more information on the FCS Kickoff Game here.

Are you excited about The University of North Alabama’s new football stadium? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram!