UCF Celebrates Completion of the Roth Tower Project to Increase Premium Capacity, Expand Suite Offerings
By Jenna Marina Lee, UCF // August 21, 2026
Made Possible by $90 Million Commitment of Orange County Tourist Development Tax Revenues
Highlights
• UCF celebrated the completion of the Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from Orange County.
• The tower increases premium capacity, expands suite offerings and provides unique event opportunities year-round, attracting more fans, visitors and events to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village beyond game days.
• The design is uniquely UCF, with nods to the university’s roots as America’s Space University and its location in one of the most desirable tourist destinations globally.
• UCF, the nation’s youngest Power Four institution, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its on-campus stadium this season and holds its first game on Thursday, Sept. 3, against Bethune-Cookman.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Two decades ago, UCF opened an on-campus stadium that embodied the ambition of a spirited university and the belief of its fanbase. Today, the opening of the new Roth Tower marks the next chapter in that story, celebrating the rise of Knight Nation, UCF’s trajectory as the youngest institution in a Power Four conference and the momentum still ahead.
The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.
“The new Roth Tower would not be possible without Orange County’s $90 million investment, and we are deeply grateful to Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners for their belief in UCF,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright.
“That investment, together with the commitment of our donors, fans and community, helped make this next chapter of the Bounce House possible. Today, we are delivering a community asset designed to bring people here, bring them back and create lasting value for Orange County.”
Born to Bounce
Since its opening in 2007, Acrisure Bounce House has allowed UCF to showcase the momentum and trajectory of one of the country’s fastest-growing universities.
For years the idea of an on-campus stadium at UCF was a dream that many had said could never come true. UCF President John C. Hitt and several prominent UCF supporters, including the tower’s namesake, Jerry and Susan Roth, saw the vision of what an on-campus stadium could be. They believed the football program and a stadium could help elevate the university and its brand.
In the last 20 years of the Bounce House, UCF has captivated audiences on nationally televised primetime broadcasts; welcomed premiere college football shows ESPN’s College GameDay and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff; hosted conference championships that catapulted the Knights to New Year’s Six bowl games; and has become a not-to-be-missed atmosphere in college sports.
The new Roth Tower represents another important investment in our continued rise.
A Tower With a Story to Tell
Thoughtful planning went into the design elements and functionality of the new tower.
The new space allows more opportunities beyond game day to welcome alumni, partners and visitors for corporate meetings and retreats, weddings and events, and even rocket launch viewing opportunities of nearby Kennedy Space Center, whose Launch Complex 39A aligns with the stadium’s 50-yard line.
Stronger media and broadcast spaces will help showcase UCF nationally and open possibilities for hosting other premiere sporting events and concerts. The strategic layout and structure will make operations and logistics safer, smarter and more efficient.
The tower also serves as an extension of UCF’s mission to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience in areas including facility and event management, game day operations, broadcasting and production, brand management and strategic communications.
The details are uniquely UCF, with nods to the university’s roots as America’s Space University and its location in one of the most desirable tourist destinations globally.
A new concept in luxury seating, the open-air, semi-private Sky Suites on the north and south wings of the tower take advantage of Orlando’s average of 233 sunny days per year. Floor-to-ceiling windows serve as the east and west walls of the central suite space on the third floor for optimal views of the field and athletic village.
The stadium’s art collection is growing with two custom murals that pay homage to the UCF story and the university’s relationship to Orange County designed by artist Harry Foreman ’18, a graphic design and emerging media management graduate. These complement several installations around the concourse already that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.
Building What’s Next
Roth Tower will create memorable experiences for visitors and reinforces UCF as another reason people choose to come to Orange County and come back.
While the tower is a huge step forward for UCF Athletics, it is not the finish line, says UCF Director of Athletics and Vice President Terry Mohajir, who has worked to implement facility enhancements throughout the village since he arrived in 2021.
“Our fans gave this stadium its identity … and kept the faith as UCF climbed from one level of collegiate athletics to the next,” Mohajir says. “Our responsibility now is to keep matching that belief, by giving our student-athletes every opportunity to succeed, competing for championships, delivering a Power Four-caliber experience and continuing to build the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village into one of the greatest destinations in college sports.”
The UCF football team opens the 2026 season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Ticket information can be found at ucfknights.com/2026fbtix.
