Breaking News: Texas Tech Red Raiders Unveil $1.3 Billion Renovation to United Supermarkets Arena, Redefining the Future of College Basketball
Lubbock, TX — In a groundbreaking move set to revolutionize the college basketball landscape, Texas Tech University announced a massive $1.3 billion renovation of its iconic United Supermarkets Arena, home to the Red Raiders. The announcement, made early Saturday morning, has sent shockwaves across the NCAA as the university aims to set a new national standard in athletic facilities.
The ambitious project, scheduled to begin in early 2026, marks the largest investment in a college basketball facility in NCAA history. University President Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, alongside Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt, unveiled the plans in front of an energized crowd of alumni, students, and community leaders.
“We’re not just building an arena — we’re building the future of college basketball,” Schovanec said during the press conference. “This renovation represents our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and the complete student-athlete experience.”
The renovation will touch every corner of the current facility. Key features of the redesign include a state-of-the-art training and recovery center, expanded locker rooms, a high-tech sports science wing, upgraded seating with luxury suites, and an immersive fan experience with interactive digital displays throughout the concourses. Additionally, a 360-degree video scoreboard — one of the largest in any indoor stadium — will dominate the arena’s interior, enhancing live-game atmosphere.
Perhaps the most notable addition is the new Tech Legacy Pavilion, a multi-level museum-style wing that will showcase Texas Tech’s athletic history and celebrate the Red Raiders’ rise in NCAA basketball prominence.
“This isn’t just about our men’s and women’s basketball programs,” said Hocutt. “It’s about community, it’s about pride, and it’s about investing in West Texas. We’re creating a facility that reflects who we are and where we’re going.”
The university confirmed that the project will be financed through a combination of private donations, corporate partnerships, and long-term strategic funding. A significant early contribution came from United Supermarkets, which pledged a historic extension of their naming rights along with a substantial financial investment into the renovation.
Head Coach Grant McCasland, entering his second season, expressed excitement for what the upgraded facility will mean for recruitment and program development. “Facilities like this show recruits that Texas Tech is serious about being elite. It’s more than a court — it’s a home for champions.”
Construction is expected to take approximately three years, with games continuing to be played during the phased renovation. Temporary adjustments to seating and entrances will be announced closer to the start date.
With this bold $1.3 billion move, Texas Tech positions itself at the forefront of collegiate athletics, raising the bar not only in the Big 12 Conference but across the entire NCAA. The future of college basketball, it seems, may very well run through Lubbock.
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