Arkansas Football to Undergo Stadium Reseating Overhaul in 2026: What Fans Need to Know
Big changes are coming to Fayetteville, and Razorback fans who’ve held onto the same seats for years will want to pay close attention. Beginning with the 2026 season, Arkansas football is rolling out a new reseating plan at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium - one that ties every seat in the house to donation levels with the Razorback Foundation.
This move marks the end of grandfathered seating arrangements and brings football in line with similar restructuring efforts made in other Razorback sports. Fans saw it first with Arkansas baseball back in 2022 and again with men’s basketball just ahead of the 2025-26 season. That basketball overhaul proved to be a major revenue driver, generating $10.8 million in new recurring donations and another $9 million in one-time gifts, according to athletic director Hunter Yurachek.
Now, football is on deck - and while the stadium’s 76,412-seat capacity makes a windfall on par with basketball unlikely, the goal is the same: create a more equitable, sustainable system that supports student-athletes and enhances the fan experience.
What’s Changing?
In short, every seat in Razorback Stadium will now be tied to a specific donation level with the Razorback Foundation. The Foundation has 10 donor tiers, ranging from the entry-level Razorback tier ($50-$99 annually) all the way up to the Broyles-Matthews Diamond level ($40,000+ per year). These tiers will determine not only where fans can sit but also access to perks like parking passes and ticket availability in high-demand sections.
Season ticket holders received an email this week laying out exactly what this means for them - including how much more, if anything, they’ll need to contribute to retain their current seats. The reseating process officially began with the opening of the renewal period, and fans have until March 31 to lock in their renewals. Seat selection will begin in April.
The Foundation had around 10,300 donors as of last January, and this new structure is designed to bring all seating in line with established guidelines. According to the message sent to ticket holders, this is about fairness - ensuring that everyone in the stadium is contributing at a level consistent with their seat location and benefits.
Not Every Seat Comes With a Price Tag
While most of the stadium will now require a donation to the Razorback Foundation, there are still a few areas that remain donation-free. All seats in sections W500, W501, W507, and W508 on the west side of the upper deck will be available without a required donation.
Additionally, there are hybrid sections - five on the west side (W502-W506) and three on the east (E522-E524) - where the first 12 rows will require a donation, but rows 13 and above will not. Student and visitor seating remains unchanged.
Parking and Perks
The reseating plan doesn’t just affect where fans sit - it also impacts where they park. Donor levels and priority points will continue to dictate parking pass distribution, as well as how many tickets can be purchased in certain sections.
For fans used to parking in prime locations or buying extra tickets for family and friends, this could be a key consideration when determining their donation level.
Bigger Picture: Revenue and the SEC Schedule
This reseating initiative isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader push to boost revenue as Arkansas football enters a new era - one that includes a beefed-up SEC schedule and a new head coach in Ryan Silverfield.
Starting in 2026, the Razorbacks will host five SEC opponents annually. That’s a big deal, both from a competition and a revenue standpoint. This season’s home slate includes Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, and LSU - plus nonconference matchups against North Alabama and Tulsa.
The athletic department is projecting $61.6 million in ticket revenue across all sports for the 2026-27 fiscal year, up from $60 million the year prior. That bump - about $1.6 million - is tied directly to the additional SEC home game and what Arkansas believes it can command in ticket prices because of it.
For context, the most recent financial disclosure showed $46.3 million in football-only ticket sales for the 2024 season, which featured six home games and four SEC matchups, including marquee rivalry games against Texas and LSU.
A New Era in Fayetteville
The timing of the reseating plan is notable. Just two days after discussing revenue projections with university trustees, Yurachek made the call to part ways with head coach Sam Pittman following a 2-10 campaign that included a winless SEC record.
Now, with Silverfield at the helm and a new seating structure in place, Arkansas is clearly signaling a fresh start - one built on competitive ambition, financial sustainability, and a modernized fan experience.
For longtime season ticket holders, this is a moment of transition. Change isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to traditions like game-day seating. But for the Razorbacks, it’s a strategic play - one aimed at building a stronger, more competitive program for years to come.