UL-Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns’ football team opened its season this year in a newly renovated stadium that gives the team and the community something to be proud of. The $65 million renovation of Cajun Field, now renamed Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, has been a long time coming. It’s the first significant makeover of the stadium since it opened in 1971, and the goal was to give fans a better experience as they cheer on the home team.
The most noticeable change is the new facade on the west side of the stadium. It features 34 suites, 40 loge boxes, 524 club seats and an indoor club that can be used to host community events. Also on the list of wow factors is the new turf field, with the Louisiana state outline behind the Ragin’ Cajuns logo. The field was designed to stay cooler and absorb water better than the old field.
Fans will also notice that there is more legroom in the seats and better sightlines to the field. That’s because the new stadium’s designers chose to reduce the number of overall seats to give the stadium a more intimate feel. The current capacity is a little over 30,000, while the old stadium could accommodate 41,126 fans.
The project was designed by DLR Group and AQ Studios and built by J.B. Mouton. It’s clear that no detail was overlooked to improve the game day experience. For example, there were changes to the concessions concourse as well, with fans able to get their snacks at an open-air, grab-and-go marketplace and then check out so as to make lines move faster.
We have to acknowledge the tremendous amount of support that it took to make this happen. The business community and philanthropic leaders in our city stepped up like never before for the project. Our Lady of Lourdes committed $15 million over 15 years to secure the naming rights.
And fans have also responded. The first year of its opening, the stadium has sold out of suites and club seats. If you haven’t been to a Cajuns’ game this season, now is the time to go. While the team has struggled on the field in its recent outings, it takes on Marshall on Saturday in its Sun Belt Conference opener.
By the end of the 2026 football season, changes to the east side of the stadium are planned. That will include a new tower, media box, administrative offices and training facilities.
All of this is about more than a football stadium. It’s about pride in our community and showing what we can do when we come together around a goal. UL-Lafayette and the Cajuns have long been symbols for our city. Now that symbol has the home that it deserves.