Ryan Mink

The shift starts at 6 a.m. at M&T Bank Stadium, where about 1,000 construction workers are at full tilt daily completing phase 2 of the three-year renovation project upgrading the Ravens' home as a premier destination both in-season and all year round.

On Thursday, the Ravens gave reporters a hard hat tour through the latest step in "The Next Evolution," a transformative $489 million project that rolled out its first round of improvements last season and will stretch through 2026.

Crews were excavating premium club spaces below the stadium during last season, and construction ramped up the day after the Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card playoffs at raucous M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 11.

Now there are 70 days before the Ravens kick off their preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium versus the Indianapolis Colts. While a tremendous amount of work has been done, construction is ongoing on numerous fronts.

Last year, the Miller Lite Gatehouse, The Blackwing, and more upgrades were rolled out. Now it's taking it to the next level to improve the gameday experience on many fronts.

"There's really no limit to what we want to think about with M&T Bank Stadium," said Ravens Senior Vice President of Marketing Brad Downs. "We know it's a world-class venue.

"These renovations reflect what fans want. They want to get to the stadium earlier, have places to socialize before the game, during halftime, or afterward."

Here's what fans can expect for the 2025 season:

West Retail (Section 140):Situated on the west side of M&T Bank Stadium, the stadium's original ticket office is being converted into a 4,900 square foot modern retail store open on gameday. The store will feature RFID self-checkout, video panels, and an immersive LED player-jersey feature display.

Stadium Video Displays:Highlighted by a 216-foot video display at Gate A (wider than RavensVision), M&T Bank Stadium will add 29 new displays totaling over 6,500 square feet and more than 75 million pixels. (Additional upgrades scheduled for 2026 will increase the display totals to 12,000 square feet and 111 million total pixels.) Provided by ANC, a leader in AV technology design and integration, video displays will be located throughout the lower and upper concourses and in various other locations throughout the stadium. Over 100 televisions will also be replaced with larger screens.

New Food & Beverage Location (Section 153):A former retail store at Gate A will be converted into a walk-through "Ravenous Chicken" concept. (Ravenous Chicken is one of the most sought-after concessions items on gameday.) This new location will feature exterior LED panels, self-serve food slides, and reach-in beverage coolers, which will dramatically reduce time spent in lines.

North Plaza:Serving as the Grand Entrance to M&T Bank Stadium, the revitalized North Plaza will feature two large structures flanking the gates. This new plaza experience also provides an ideal location for events throughout the year.

• Northeast Retail & Hospitality Village:The east structure will feature a 6,600 square foot retail space with a second-floor hospitality area. The store will be an immersive shopping experience for Ravens fans on both gameday and non-gamedays. Open year-round, the store will feature RFID self-checkout, a unique Nike feature display, and a jersey customization shop.

New Premium Clubs:The Ravens unveiled three new club memberships being offered to PSL owners. Memberships to these clubs are on sale now for the2025 season. (Scheduled Completion: 2025)

• The RavenSituated near the 50-yard line and underneath the lower level, The Raven is located on the north side of M&T Bank Stadium and provides an elevated club experience. The space will feature thematic touches related to the team's namesake, the poem "The Raven."

• Champions Club, presented by T. Rowe PriceLocated behind the west end zone, the Champions Club will be home to two featured bars celebrating each of the Ravens' Super Bowl victories. Club membership offers a premium bar experience with all-inclusive food and beverage options and access to private restrooms throughout the game.

• The Trust, presented by M&T BankThe Trust, located on the south side of M&T Bank Stadium, is an ultra-premium, lower concourse club that offers unique team access, including views of the Ravens' player tunnel at the 50-yard line and the post-game press conference room. The space encapsulates a lounge-like atmosphere with design elements reminiscent of early 1900s Baltimore banks.

Legends Suites (West End Zone):Suite holders can take in the game from two rows of seating directly on the field in the west end zone of M&T Bank Stadium. Guests will have access to both a private suite area and to a members-only social area outfitted with bar and food service stations before, during, and after the game. The space will also feature a sushi bar.

Ravens Want M&T Bank Stadium to Be a Year-Round, Multi-Event Destination

The Ravens feel they have the best gameday atmosphere in the NFL and are already the premier stadium in the Mid-Atlantic.

"We wanted to make sure we invested to ensure that moving forward," President Sashi Brown said.

While the main focus of the renovations is to make gameday an even more special all-day event, the aim is also to make M&T Bank Stadium a more attractive year-round destination for fans and other events.

The retail store is part of that solution, as will be more premium spaces both inside and outside the stadium.

"I think the nice thing about these renovations is the ability to activate the stadium in more dynamic ways, 365 days a year," Brown said. "We think this makes the stadium more attractive for third-party events, soccer matches, concerts."

Brown said the Ravens have been in touch with FIFA and English Premier League teams, and other international soccer clubs to make sure the stadium upgrades fit what they are looking for.

Another aim is hosting the NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh next year and Washington, D.C., in 2027. Brown has made it clear he wants Baltimore to be high on the list when picking future destinations for the mega event.

"We think this renovation positions us really well to have the stadium be a complementary piece of that," Brown said. "As you know, the NFL Draft really takes over the better part of the city, not just the stadium, but we think this really positions us well."