Jacksonville Jaguars new stadium impacts NFL, Dolphins 2027 schedule

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville announced Tuesday an approved deal for a $1.4 billion renovation to Everbank Stadium. When completed, the “stadium of the future” will keep the Jaguars in the city “for decades,” according to a statement from the club. The refurbished stadium is set to open for the 2028 NFL season.

The approved deal includes $625 million from the team and $625 million from the city, plus another $150 million from the city to pay for maintenance and repairs to the stadium before construction begins after the 2025 season. The Jaguars will be responsible for any cost overruns and will lease the stadium for 30 years starting when the new version of the stadium opens.

The deal also limits the Jaguars to one home game a season in London. The NFL can mandate a second home game for the Jaguars in London once every four years during a season in which the AFC would host nine home games. The Jaguars have volunteered for a home game in London every season since 2013.

The 2024 and 2025 seasons will not be impacted by any preparations for the renovations. The 2026 season will see Everbank Stadium’s capacity from over 67,000 to $43,500 as construction begins. The Jaguars will be forced to find a temporary home for the 2027 season before the “stadium of the future” opens in 2028.

Why is a Miami Dolphins team site covering the Jaguars’ new stadium? That 2027 season in a temporary home provides the answer.

The NFL schedule is based on a rotation of divisions. In the AFC East, the Dolphins are scheduled to play the AFC South, including the Jaguars, in 2024, then the AFC North in 2025, and the AFC West in 2026. The AFC South returns to Miami’s schedule in 2027. The 2024 Dolphins game against the Jaguars is in Miami, leading to the 2027 game being a home game for Jacksonville – or wherever they are playing.

Early rumors for Jaguar home games in 2027 include the possibility of playing at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the home stadium for the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, or Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Daytona International Speedway had suggested they could host the team, but that has been eliminated as a possibility.

The AFC, including the Jaguars, will host nine home games in 2027. The NFL could look to schedule up to three games for Jacksonville in London, eating up some of their home games.

Where would you like to see the Dolphins play the Jaguars in 2027? Would you show up to a game in Gainesville or Orlando? Would you like to see Miami head to London to play Jacksonville?