Architect : Goodwyn Mills Cawood | Birmingham, Ala. Total Construction Cost : $24M Square Feet : 9,044 (new construction), 81,212 (renovated seating and concourse) Seating Capacity : 7,810 Occupancy : May 2025
Project Description:
The City of Hoover completed a three-year renovation plan designed to elevate both fan and player experience at the Hoover Met stadium, which has been home to the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament since 1996. As one of the largest annual events in Hoover, the tournament’s impact continues to grow. In 2023, attendance reached 171,000 fans, generating an estimated $15 million economic impact. That momentum carried into 2025, when the Hoover Met welcomed a record-breaking 180,000 fans. Many of the recent improvements were requested by SEC officials to enhance tournament operations and the event’s overall atmosphere. The first phase of the project focused on behind-the-scenes upgrades, including renovated team locker rooms with new flooring, lighting, lockers and updated bathrooms. A new quiet room was also added to support nursing mothers and individuals with sensory sensitivities. The second phase delivered $11 million in visible upgrades. The stadium now features a redesigned entryway with a striking canopy that includes updated lighting, signage, speakers and landscaping. A new media room meets industry standards with enhanced lighting, networking capabilities and upgraded finishes, supporting broadcast partners such as ESPN. The parking lot was repaved and regraded to improve pedestrian safety, and a new sidewalk enhances accessibility. The final phase included a full seating replacement in the stadium bowl, a new third-base club suite and a multitiered right-field party deck, ensuring the Hoover Met remains a premier destination year-round.