When football fans across the country tune in to CBS on Sunday for the Jaguars-Bills Wild Card Weekend game, some might do a double-take when the broadcast will undoubtedly show a site strange to many: Jaguars fans watching their team from the stadium’s pools.
Yes, in all kinds of weather — even with Sunday’s National Weather Service forecast of mostly cloudy skies with occasional morning drizzle and a 20 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m. and temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s — EverBank Stadium’s pools are expected to be used by fans.
After all, the pools at EverBank are heated on colder game days to avoid polar plunges.
Here’s what you need to know about the EverBank Stadium pools.
When did the Jaguars install pools at EverBank Stadium?
The two pools on the north endzone deck were part of a $63 million 2014 upgrade that also included the massive video boards on either end of the stadium. The team paid $20 million of the cost; the city picked up the rest of the tab.
Do any other NFL stadiums have pools?
No, EverBank Stadium is the only venue in the NFL with in-stadium pools. Chase Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks, also has a pool. The Miami Marlins had one, but closed it in 2020.
How big are the pools at EverBank Stadium?
The two pools, each with an acrylic front panel, measure 12-by-15 feet and are 3 1/2 feet deep.
How many people can fit in the pools at EverBank Stadium?
Each pool holds about 20 people.
Can anyone at the game use the pools at EverBank Stadium?
No, just because you’re hot and sweaty doesn’t mean you can jump into the pools. The pools are reserved for people who buy S-level spa cabana seating. There are eight spa cabanas, each holding 50 people. The stadium also has 14 terrace cabanas, but fans seated there aren’t permitted to use the pools.
Are there restrictions on who can use pools at EverBank Stadium? Age limits?
First, you have to have a spa cabana ticket. Other than that, children must be at least 4-foot-6 or accompanied by an adult to use the pools.
Do the pools have lifeguards?
Yes.
How much does it cost to get in the pool at the Jaguars’ stadium?
Tickets for the pools at EverBank Stadium aren’t sold separately. Pool access is included with the rental of a Tropical Smoothie Café Spa Cabana, a premium package that typically starts around $17,000. The rental usually includes about 50 tickets, pool access for the game, food and drinks, and VIP parking. Some reports cite prices ranging from $12,500 to $17,000. Single pool-only tickets aren’t available, and these cabana packages tend to sell out quickly.
Are the pools open when it’s cold? Are the pools at EverBank Stadium heated?
Yes. The pools are heated during cold-weather games.
No “pool weather” in Orchard Park, NY. What’s the weather like for the Buffalo Bills at home?
Bills fans watching from Upstate New York will need to brace for a snowy weather forecast. While Jacksonville is looking at just a 20 percent chance of rain this weekend, it’s a very different story in Orchard Park, New York — home of the Buffalo Bills. Snow showers are likely, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 32 degrees. Southwest winds will blow between 10 and 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 41 mph, and there’s a 60 percent chance of precipitation.
Are Jaguars games the only time the pools at EverBank Stadium are open?
No. The stadium hosts events other than Jaguars games, including the Florida-Georgia game, Monster Jam and concerts. The pools are available to rent for some of those events. They can also be rented for private events such as weddings.
Will the new Jaguars stadium have a pool?
Yes, although initial renderings show them relocated to the corners of the north end zone.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: EverBank Stadium is only NFL venue with pools. How much do they cost?
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea and Tom Szaroleta, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
