Arizona State University football fans will find fewer seats at Sun Devil Stadium next fall. After years of planning, the university has announced plans to demolish part of the north end of the stadium.
The renovations mean nearly 6,000 seats will be permanently removed from the upper deck at the north end zone. ASU Athletic Director Steve Patterson said the construction work starts in late December as improvements continue on the nearby Rio Salado Parkway.
“It allows us to get some better views and air into the facility, and it really sort of matches the size of the building with what the size of the market is,” said Patterson.
The work is expected to be done before football season starts next year, and Patterson estimates it will cost less than $10 million. He said 350 season ticket holders who will lose their seats will be offered a one season upgrade to sit near the sidelines.
ASU is still raising money for a complete stadium makeover that could start in 2015.