COLUMBIA, Mo.—The University of Missouri Department of Athletics has received a $25 million commitment for the Memorial Stadium Improvements Project, Director of Athletics Laird Veatch announced Thursday. 

The donor, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has provided a boost to the athletics department’s fundraising efforts for the transformation of Memorial Stadium, the home of Mizzou’s football program for nearly a century. The improvements include a comprehensive renovation of the north end zone concourse. The $250 million project is scheduled to break ground on Nov. 30, 2024, and be completed for Mizzou’s 2026 season.  

"Under Coach Drinkwitz’s leadership, we have seen how Mizzou football unites the entire State of Missouri," University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Robin Wenneker said in a press release. "Mizzou’s football program and Memorial Stadium are a point of pride for Missourians and the greater Mizzou family.  We give a special thank you to our generous donor for supporting this historic project.  Congratulations to Director of Athletics Laird Veatch and the Tiger Scholarship Fund staff for securing an extraordinary gift that reflects the profound impact Mizzou has on our state.”

Mizzou Athletics has set a goal of raising $125 million in leadership philanthropic support toward the Memorial Stadium project. With this most recent gift, Mizzou Athletics has raised approximately $90 million toward that goal.

Under fifth-year coach Eliah Drinkwitz, the No. 11 Tigers (4-0) have the nation’s longest winning streak at eight games dating back to last season. Mizzou has sold out nine consecutive games at Memorial Stadium with two more sellouts for upcoming home games against Auburn (Oct. 19) and Oklahoma (Nov. 9). The Tigers next play Oct. 5 at Texas A&M.