Ole Miss Athletics is set to elevate the fan experience at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium with the introduction of Founders Suites, a high-end premium seating option priced at $5 million per suite.

After an email was sent out recently explaining about the new Founders Suites, the news spread quickly on social media about Ole Miss’ new initiative to generate additional revenue in response to the impending revenue-sharing model with student-athletes.

The Founders Suites require an initial payment of $2.5 million upfront, with the remaining balance due before the 2027 football season kicks off. Each suite offers 24 seats—16 outdoor and eight indoor—with the option to purchase up to eight standing-room-only tickets, bringing the maximum capacity to 32.

The suites will be built atop the existing west structure of the stadium, incorporating deferred maintenance upgrades such as the installation of five new elevators to replace the current three.

Denson Hollis, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development and Chief Executive Officer, said the new suite options will help generate revenue.
“College athletics is changing every day, and with revenue sharing coming soon, athletic departments nationwide are looking for new ways to generate revenue,” he said. “Other schools have introduced similar luxury options—Southern Cal built 20 suites at $10 million each, Texas A&M priced theirs at $12 million, and Alabama’s suites go for $5 million.”

Hollis said there is currently a 100-person waiting list for premium seating.

“We are sold out of every premium ticket in every venue, and there’s a significant waitlist for suites,” he said.

The Founders Suites at Ole Miss will offer next-level amenities, including exclusive parking, dedicated catering services, Bluetooth-enabled suites, and high-end kitchen finishes, Hollis said.

Interest in the new suites has been strong, with nearly 200 initial inquiries. While not all submissions are expected to materialize into purchases, Hollis noted that around 30 to 40 inquiries appear serious, with a dozen prospective buyers engaged in prior discussions.

In addition to the $5 million cost, suite holders will be responsible for an annual fee of $139,000, covering tickets, food, beverages, and other related expenses. The introduction of Founders Suites is expected to create a trickle-down effect, as some existing suite holders may upgrade, thereby opening space for fans on the current waitlist.

With the anticipated impact of the House v. NCAA case, Ole Miss expects an additional $20.5 million to be added to its budget next year. The department is actively evaluating areas where efficiencies can be improved to offset costs while ensuring continued investment in enhancing the game-day experience.

“We are also looking at how to make our budget leaner, where we can make some cuts, where we can maybe shore up some efficiencies, to where it’s not just all additional revenue,” he said.