Clemson basketball arena renovation update, latest on 2026 improvements
CLEMSON — Clemson basketball's new practice facility is on track to be completed before the 2026-27 season.
The facility is expected to be completed by October or November, according to senior associate athletic director for communications Jeff Kallin, and will be the new home for coach Brad Brownell's men's program.
The men's and women's basketball programs have shared the Swann Pavilion, a training and practice facility that was added to Littlejohn Coliseum before the 2016-17 season. Now, each will have its own facility with upgraded amenities, including offices, weight room and gyms after renovation and expansion.
The only other ACC schools with separate facilities for each basketball program are North Carolina and NC State.
Phase I of renovations to Littlejohn Coliseum and Swann Pavilion was approved in July 2023, then Phase II was granted in October 2024 that approved construction. Renovations began in December 2024.
How much will Littlejohn Coliseum renovations cost?
The project cost $40 million. It will renovate more than 51,000 square feet of existing team spaces and 30,000 square feet of new construction.
Both basketball programs will have their own designated practice gym, updated offices and team areas.
According to the school, the renovations will "include further development of operations and technology in the women’s basketball team spaces, practice gym, offices and recruiting areas."
Additional improvements include "modernization and expansion to shared strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports medicine spaces."
When will the Littlejohn Coliseum renovations be done?
Renovations to Littlejohn Coliseum and Swann Pavilion are expected to be done before the 2026-27 season.
It will be a critical tool for Brownell as Clemson is coming off its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. After losing five players to expiring eligibility and one to the transfer portal, Clemson added four portal players and signed three freshmen. The Tigers also hired four new assistant coaches and a new general manager.
Clemson will lack experience compared to recent teams, and the new facility will be used throughout next season.
For women's basketball, the program is coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Coach Shawn Poppie has elevated the Tigers, improving the team's total and ACC wins from last season
Poppie welcomed the 14th-best transfer portal class and the ninth-best freshman class, per 247Sports. The Tigers will try to make the tourney for the second straight season for the first time since 2002.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: How Clemson basketball arena renovations are going for 2026
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