Tigers, Jawhawks — your time has come. The Border War is (unofficially) back with a contest of epic proportions. Forget touchdowns: this KU vs. MU showdown is taking place off the field as both teams vie for the best new football stadium in the region.
We’ve put aside any allegiances here at KCtoday and are ready to serve as your resident referee. Let’s get ready to rumble.
The border “beef”
The original Missouri-Kansas Border War has its roots on the battlefields of the Bleeding Kansas era in the mid-1800s — but the sporting rivalry we’re interested in starts in 1891, when the states’ first public land grant universities started facing off. The new Border War carried on for over a century, most notably bringing about the first ever Homecoming game in 1911.
But that all changed in 2012, when Mizzou left KU and the Big 12 Conference behind to join the SEC. The hot-blooded Border War went cold, and fans were left wishing for just one more faceoff... until now.
Choose your fighter
There’s no coin flip in this matchup, so your impartial refs ordered these by expected completion date. We’re only a little worried about the backlash, after learning ~70% of our audience has a stake in this fight.
University of Kansas’ David Booth Memorial Stadium
The new stadium, announced in October 2022, is expected to feature:
- Suites 80 ft closer to the field
- New chairback seating in the north + west sections
- Club seating (~2,300) in three different spaces with unique social zones
- Four times more food and beverage offerings
- 50% increase in area per seat + 50% more leg room
- Videoboard 2.5 times larger and 60 feet closer to the field
- Better accessibility, including more elevators + 1.5 times more restrooms
University of Missouri’s Memorial Stadium
Welcome to the (new) Zou. Announced earlier this month, stadium upgrades will potentially include:
- Two new club sections, including a field-level 300-person Rock M Club built directly under the historic Rock M Hill
- 51 new suites total, with 14 field-level open-air suites + 20 Tiger Dens featuring large covered social spaces
- Upgrade restrooms + concessions, stadium sound system, multi-colored LED field lighting, and stadium-wide Wi-Fi improvements
- Expanded event space for Mizzou Athletics + other programs
- An all-new team recruiting center
When’s the official faceoff?
We’ve still got a few years to go until either school will have a field ready for touchdowns.
The David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is expected to open in August 2025. Until then, KU is keeping a reduced capacity for home games + playing a few at Arrowhead Stadium and Children’s Mercy Park. Jayhawks can get a sneak peek of the new stadium’s seating options by visiting the Kansas Football Preview Center.
Fans looking to shout Mizzou-Rah at Faurot Field can start planning for the 2026 college football season. It’ll be a historic moment for Tigers everywhere, as the opening coincides with the 100 year anniversary of Mizzou’s first game at Memorial Stadium.
Alright, it’s almost time for us to take off our stripes. Which stadium are you most excited for? Drop us a line and be sure to share your favorite Border War memories (extra points for pics).
