The University of Louisville Athletics department has launched a fundraising campaign to expand its American football stadium and training complex.

The US$55m (€49.3m, £38.4m) project will add 10,000 seats to the 50,000-capacity Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, bringing the crowd much closer to the on-field action and providing a new open-air covered concourse.

The UoL Athletics department, whose teams are collectively called the Louisville Cardinals, competes in several sports ranging from softball to rowing and baseball. The football team has played in the Papa John's Cardinal Stadium since 1998.

Architects Rosser International – who built the ground – have been commissioned to oversee the latest expansion, which is expected to take two years to complete.

The university's Howard Schnellenberger training complex will also undergo major changes, with a new 70,000sq ft (6,500sq m) extension expanding the team's weight room, conditioning centre and player’s lounge, as well as housing a new team theatre and hydrotherapy area.

“U of L Athletics is committed to providing our student-athletes, coaches and fans with the best facilities in our conference, region and across the country,” said director of athletics Tom Jurich. “The expansion to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and the Howard Schnellenberger team complex will not only enhance the game-day environment, but also increase our ability to recruit and train the nation’s best and brightest student-athletes.”

The side currently plays in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, run by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

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