Boise State unveils vision for $300M Athletics Master Village

Boise State Athletics is preparing for the future with its boldest vision yet — a multi-phase initiative called the Athletics Master Village, designed to transform the university’s athletic footprint and enhance every aspect of the student-athlete and fan experience.

“This isn’t just about football, it’s about all of our programs,” said Cody Gougler, senior associate athletic director for external affairs. “We want to provide the best facilities possible for our student-athletes while making sure our fans and donors have the best experience, too.”

The Master Village, launched in 2021, is part of a larger $500 million university-wide capital campaign and includes upgrades to Albertsons Stadium, ExtraMile Arena and more additions to the athletics department. The project will be funded through a mix of private donations, university backing and market bonding, a combination Gougler notes is key to long-term sustainability.

The renovations will start with a sleek new Varsity Center as the department’s welcoming heart — complete with performance, academic, nutrition and team spaces. 

The building will complement the enhancements to Albertsons Stadium, including full-circle concourses and premium seating, along with upgrades and renovations to ExtraMile Arena with advanced training and tech. 

At the same time, it introduces a new Olympic-sports arena and adjoining indoor tennis complex, bringing soccer and beach volleyball into a shared, high-amenity environment. Additionally, it centralizes football operations along the scenic Boise River. It will also revitalize track&field facilities at Dona Larsen Park and bring cohesive brand aesthetics and thoughtful alignment with the university’s long-term campus plan — creating a unified, modern, flexible and sustainable athletic village.

“We’re seeing record attendance at games, we’re selling out season tickets at ExtraMile Arena, and we have strong donor interest,” Gougler said. “If we want to continue this momentum, we need to invest in our facilities.”

The project was shaped through a full venue assessment conducted by AECOM, a sports consultancy firm, along with feedback from leadership, donors and students. 

Gougler said that Boise State is not chasing short-term flash — it’s building for the future.

Gougler wants to emphasize the importance of taking the process one step at a time to ensure this project maintains transparency with fans and donors while maintaining the big picture of positioning Boise State for long-term athletic success.

That vision resonates with students, too. Mason Maurice, a Boise State student and fan, said the project is a long-overdue show of support for athletes. 

“When going over the Village project, I see this as a huge plus that’ll put Boise on the athletics map in a huge way,” Maurice said. “It gives our fellow athletes the appreciation they deserve with all the hard work they do to represent our school and bring home the trophies.”

The first initiative of the project was the North End Zone renovation at Albertsons Stadium that began late last spring. That project was prioritized to relieve congestion and improve the fan experience in one of the stadium’s busiest areas.

“We know that side of the stadium needs work,” Gougler said. “The concourses are tight, the fan experience isn’t where we want it to be and it’s an area that’s been on our radar for a while.”

The next major step involves consolidating all football operations into one central hub near the Boise River Greenbelt. Gougler said this move will streamline logistics for players and staff while making the program more efficient overall.

Beyond football, the plan heavily supports Olympic sports. A new 5,000-seat arena will house gymnastics, soccer, as well as both indoor and beach volleyball. There are also plans for an indoor tennis complex, renovations to ExtraMile Arena and updated facilities for basketball, cross country and track & field.

“Facility upgrades and the Olympic sports complex will greatly impact the fan experience,” said Aleia Peterson, ASBSU Student Funding board officer and vice president of The Corral. “Having one centralized location for almost all sports will make games easier to access. From a student perspective, that helps boost attendance.”

Peterson also highlighted the project’s relevance in today’s NIL-driven athletic landscape. Improving the game experience could help attract more NIL – Name, Image and Likeness money and keep Boise State competitive as college athletics rapidly evolve.

Still, with rising costs and the length of this project, students may start raising questions regarding how this project will beneficially impact the university along with themselves through financial concerns.

Gougler said the scope and timeline of the plan is significant, and transparency and strategic fundraising will be essential to staying on course.

“This is not an overnight project,” he said. “It’s going to be a process that takes time and development, maintaining efficiency while being financially responsible. Once a donor steps up to fund a specific part of the plan, the university will be quick to act.”

Boise State leadership has already begun talks with donors, stakeholders and sponsors to ensure the project remains sustainable over time.

“This is a long-term vision,” Gougler said. “But we’re already seeing strong interest, and we believe the support is there to make this happen.”