Mizzou reveals new North End Zone

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Tiger athletics director Laird Veatch unveiled the completed North End Zone after 18 months of construction.

The project totaled $250 million and increased the total capacity of memorial stadium to 63,609.The now fully enclosed stadium will add a new layer of immersion and improve the game day atmosphere.

"I think in many ways it is a statement that we belong and intend to compete at the very highest level," Veatch said. "It is going to look, feel, and sound like an SEC stadium, and that's a powerful step for us that goes beyond that."

The new Tiger team store is located on the main concourse level, surrounded by new concessions, including a Shakespear's Pizza. Planted in the middle of the seats is the iconic rock 'M' that has been modified with a white boarder to make it stand out more.

Surrounding the rocks is a new turf instead of grass, that fans can still buy tickets to watch the game from. The lead architect on the project, Allen Schmidt said he wanted to retain that classic feel while improving the watching experience.

"You're still a part of the action. You're you're really you're higher than most people, but you're also out further kind of over the field compared to other seats in the stadium. So I think that's a great spot to catch the game, but still be outside and be a part of the the great environment," Schmidt said.

Levels above that, Mizzou athletics brought a new seating selection they are calling "Tiger Den's." Each private alcove is walled off and looks like a miniature outdoor suite. A den hold approximately a dozen people and is complete with seats on the railing and its own TV to see the game.

"We took just private suites more than doubled. So that is reflected throughout our venue," Veatch said. "We've also now have one of the most diverse offerings from a product standpoint in terms of seats throughout our league, with all of the different elements that you're going to see"

The North End Zone will make its public debut for week one of the new college football season. Mizzou is slated to kick off against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.