| When
the Jacksonville Jaguars played their first
game at Alltel Stadium in 1995, they became
the first team to play in a new stadium
in the 1990's. In 1990, the NFL announced
that it would expand to 30 teams by the
start of the 1995 season. Hoping to be awarded
a franchise, the Jacksonville City Council
voted to commit $60 million to renovate
the Gator Bowl, contingent upon the city
being awarded an expansion football team.
In November of 1993, the NFL awarded Jacksonville
a franchise. Instead of renovating the Gator
Bowl, the city decided to demolish 90 percent
of the stadium and construct a new one on
the site on that the Gator Bowl stood. Completed
in just 19.5 months, the stadium was completed
by opening day 1995.
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