Originally built in 1972, Commonwealth Stadium was designed to seat 56,800 spectators. Demand for tickets to University of Kentucky football games had increased dramatically, and the university decided to expand the stadium to accommodate that need.

A plan was developed to add approximately 17,000 bleacher seats, 335 disabled seats and nearly 500 suite seats by expanding seating at both end zones, uniting the existing grandstand to form a completed oval on the lower deck. Concourses were designed to connect the new additions with the existing spaces, and included new restrooms, concession stands, production areas and first-aid areas. The expansion also included two new scoreboards with Mitsubishi Diamond Vision screens and an updated sound system for the entire stadium.

RossTarrant Architects served as associate architect on the project to lead architect HNTB of Kansas City, Missouri, and was responsible for coordination with the University of Kentucky and the construction manager as well as local management of the project.

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