Eric Boggs
Ohio Stadium will look and feel different beginning with the 2026 season, as Ohio State continues its steady push to modernize the Horseshoe while preserving the traditions that make it special. For Buckeye fans, the changes represent another step in enhancing the game-day experience without losing the character of one of college football’s most iconic venues.
The most immediate upgrade will come in the north end zone, where Ohio State will replace the video board that has been in place since 2009. The Board of Trustees approved the project in December as part of a $6.5 million contract that also includes several technology improvements across athletic facilities. The new north end zone board will be larger and more advanced, bringing updated visuals and expanded capabilities to a side of the stadium that has not seen a major video upgrade in more than 15 years.
Along with the new scoreboard, Ohio State will replace the east and west ribbon boards, ensuring consistent, modern displays that stretch the length of the stadium. The project also includes new B-Deck video boards and upgraded interior and exterior audio systems at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, as well as a replacement of the WHAC video board. All of these upgrades are scheduled to be completed before kickoff of the 2026 season, keeping construction disruptions to a minimum for fans.
Bigger changes are already on the horizon for 2027. Ohio State plans to overhaul the south end zone scoreboard, which serves as the stadium’s primary video display and was last replaced in 2012. That project, which also includes ribbon board updates, new Pay Forward Society signage, and audio replacements, carries a projected budget of $22 million and will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval at a later date. If approved, the work would be completed ahead of the 2027 season, giving the Horseshoe a fully refreshed video and audio footprint on both ends of the stadium.
These improvements are part of the “Tradition Evolved” initiative, a long-term effort that began in 2025 to reimagine Ohio State’s game-day atmosphere. Athletic director Ross Bjork has been clear that new technology is central to that vision, noting last summer that the goal was to have as many enhancements in place by 2026 as possible, with everything completed by 2027 at the latest.
As other Big Ten programs push forward with massive video displays — including Illinois’ recently announced 17,300-square-foot scoreboard project — Ohio State’s approach has been more measured but no less intentional. The Buckeyes are investing strategically to ensure Ohio Stadium remains cutting-edge while staying true to its historic feel. For fans in the stands, that means clearer visuals, better sound, and more real-time information, all without sacrificing what makes Saturdays in the Shoe feel like home.
