nd stadium walk through - 09/06/2025

 SPACE 1 - South Endzone Market

The area between and around the 4 columns was identified as potential for a 4 sided bar and a walkthrough market. I think both of these options could work and this feels like a space that is ripe for a “wow” factor. This area has a large footprint and a captive audience of people coming and going. The area currently is already full of Notre Dame History highlighting Hall of Fame Inductees, Heisman Trophy Winners, National Championships and All Americans. Interestingly enough, this area also boasts probably the most eye-catching, contemporary feature of the stadium with the linear light framing the entrance and highlighting the historical areas. I think this motif is strong and could be carried into the language for the bar/market

 SPACE 2 - Touchdown Terrace

The space between the two existing concession stands is currently a speed lane with ice-bucket beverages. It seems to have a decent amount of foot traffic suggesting something that supports beverage sales would work well in the same space. However, this area is arguably the most photographable space in the stadium. It can be more than a place to pass through but rather a place to gather, and celebrate. I am imagining this space with a more of a bar-in-the-round in the center area with drink rails and high top seating towards the lookout point. I think the concession stands can be re-conceptualized as food supporting this area with stairs and seating above. I can imagine a dynamic space with shade sails and string lights, echoing the excitement in the plaza outside the stadium.

 SPACE 3 - Foley’s Patio

This area is very interesting because it is at the confluence of the Foley’s entrance and the concourse , making it almost a node of traffic. The space is deep and is currently occupied by more of those ice-bucket speed lines for canned beer and wine. There is a lot more space and depth to be used there for something more robust. I think there is a homogony of the f+b experiences in the concourse and this would be an opportunity to elevate it and make a true destination. I am imagining a more permanent looking bar area, maybe a portable/food truck that makes it's way up the conocourse, games, soft seating, etc….a real outdoor lounge here. If we introcuce something with some verticality, you could imagine seeing i t as you are walking up the switchbacks coming from the lower concourse to the upper.

 SPACE 4 - Suite Terrace

This area needs something beyond patio furniture. The views are of course amazing and you can imagine some program out here that pulled people outside. It seems that there are lots of options inside to get a drink or to get some food. I think this place needs an identity. I could imagine a smoker or something cool out here to provide something the folks in the President’s Suite don’t get inside?

 SPACE 5 - Mobile Program

There are many areas outside Notre Dame Stadium and Joyce Center that would make sesne to capture for a mobile program. I know that ND was doing thier own hotel Food Truck to capture people tailgating ahead of the concert. For the concert, people were really staying outside as long as possible. Once the gates opened, people didn’t really come in yet and were still tailgating. I can imagine a food and beverage concept that is elevated out there. I am sure on game days, plenty of people have their own beer and hot dogs, but maybe an elevated cocktail or a food item that is better than you would make/bring yourself would do well. I think the South side of the Stadium/Joyce Center makes some sense to show a mobile concept as it is adjacent to the majority of the parking. But also, there were a lot of people out on Library Lawn, further away from their own cars, so that could make sense as well.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

To either side of the O’Neil Hall, there are these corners where the upper concourse meets the switchbacks between the lower and upper. This was a natural, high-traffic area with visibility from the upper concourse and from guests walking up from the lower concourse. I think after walking up the switchbacks, it might be nice for a guest to be enticed/excited about something waiting for them at the top. Currently this area has a couple sausage carts and some cold beverage merchandisers. These are fine but look like they could be anywhere in the concourse. Maybe this is a chance to elevate the experience a bit more and build something more robust here. I can imagine a proper, outdoor bar, with back bar, and food offering. Since we are out in the open air, it might be cool to show something like a smoker in the corner or something like that.