The gameday experience inside Gesa Field is about to get brighter and louder thanks to the support of Washington State University alumni and fans.
WSU Athletics recently raised more than $10 million to pay for the first phase of planned improvements at the home of Cougar Football. These improvements will include a state-of-the-art video board 30 feet wider than the current display, as well as an audio system that’ll bring the noise no matter where fans are sitting. New on-field lights will also enable more dynamic moments to build hype for those in the stands and on the field.
“We couldn’t be happier with our fan base for stepping up and making this commitment to our student-athletes and coaching staff,” Jon Haarlow, interim director of athletics, said. “The vast majority of our supporters travel a long way to support our team, and so we have elevate the pageantry and production value of game days, not only to engage them, but to generate energy and excitement for the team at key moments.”
We couldn’t be happier with our fan base for stepping up and making this commitment to our student-athletes and coaching staff.
Jon Haarlow, interim director of athletics
Washington State University
The decision to replace the current audio and visual systems was also a pragmatic one. The manufacturer of the current video board no longer offers replacement parts, even refurbished ones. The existing audio system leaves some fans’ ears ringing while others struggle to feel the full impact of songs and sound effects.
These improvements are part of a multi-phase improvement plan for Gesa Field, which is expected to cost up to $12 million. All of the cost of the project is being funded by donors. The fan experience project was approved by the WSU Board of Regents on Nov. 14.
In order to get the video and audio enhancements completed in time for the start of the 2026 season, WSU Athletics needed to hit their funding benchmark by Dec. 15, which they did more than a week ahead of schedule. Fundraising efforts will continue in support of the second phase of improvements to Gesa Field, which will include new turf playing surface on the field of play as well as new video display boards that encircle the stadium.
The second phase of improvements are expected to be complete ahead of the 2027 football season.
