University of North Alabama breaks ground on new $65M stadium

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

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

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

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.

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.

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