Mizzou Athletics Launches Naming Rights and Veterans Recognition Initiatives for Memorial Stadium
2/10/2026 2:15:00 PM | Football, General
Endeavor to take place as stadium enters its second century.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Athletics is moving forward with securing corporate naming rights for Memorial Stadium, the historic home of Mizzou Football for nearly a century, as part of a broader revenue strategy to strengthen the department's long-term competitiveness in the Southeastern Conference and nationally. The initiative comes at a pivotal moment as Mizzou prepares to celebrate the stadium's 100-year anniversary in 2026 with the opening of the newly constructed north concourse as part of the transformational $250 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project.
Mizzou Athletics has engaged Intersect Partners, a nationally experienced firm in sports property sales, to help identify potential naming rights partners whose values, brand identity and vision align with the University of Missouri and Mizzou Athletics. Mizzou Deputy Director of Athletics Eric Morrison is leading the process alongside Intersect Partners, who will coordinate their efforts with Mizzou Sports Properties.
"This is another incredible opportunity to position Mizzou Athletics for the future," Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch said. "Memorial Stadium enters its second century as college athletics continues to evolve rapidly. Securing naming rights reflects our 'Will to Win,' which includes a commitment to investing aggressively in our ability to recruit, retain and compete to win championships, while also being thoughtful and intentional in honoring our past."
Should the naming rights process conclude with a successful partnership, Mizzou plans to remove "Memorial" from the stadium name. At the same time, the University is actively planning new, meaningful opportunities to honor and preserve the historic origins and intent behind the Memorial designation. Those details will develop in consultation with veterans groups, campus leadership, athletics stakeholders, the new naming rights partner and members of the Mizzou community to ensure an enduring and respectful tribute.
"We appreciate the meaningful dialogue we have had with key stakeholders, including multiple veterans groups and military representatives, and we are excited to develop plans with them to honor and recognize their service in new and meaningful ways," Veatch continued. "At the same time, we look forward to taking this incredibly valuable branding opportunity to our corporate community."
Opened in 1926 and built through the labor and fundraising efforts of students, alumni and community members, Memorial Stadium has hosted generations of unforgettable moments for Mizzou Football — from battles in the Big Six to modern-day Southeastern Conference showdowns. It has evolved alongside the football program itself, growing from a hillside amphitheater to one of the Midwest's most distinctive and storied venues. Built at a cost of $350,000 and inspired by Coach Gwinn Henry's championship teams of 1924–25 and Athletics Director Chester L. Brewer's vision, the stadium was part of a pair of memorial projects that opened in 1926 — Memorial Stadium and Memorial Union — both dedicated to the 117 University of Missouri students and alumni who died in World War I, with Memorial Union initially serving as the campus' student union.
Mizzou Athletics will share additional details as the naming rights process progresses.
Corporate entities interested in learning more about the naming rights process can contact Morrison at morrisone@missouri.edu.
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