The long-planned renovations at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium are finally underway.

Memphis interim athletic director Jeff Crane announced in a video posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday morning that the project had officially started. The first phase will include moving game operations and the coaches' and press box from the west side of the stadium to the east side.

That phase is expected to be completed by the start of the Memphis football season on Aug. 31. The next phase will include more significant renovations to the west side of the stadium and will mean the capacity of the stadium is cut in half for two football seasons.

"We're so excited about what lies ahead at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and look forward to keeping you up to date," Crane said in the video. "Go Tigers Go."

The $220 million project is expected to be completed before the 2026 football season. The Memphis Showboats of the UFL play their final game of the 2024 season on Sunday night, and there aren't any more events scheduled until the Tigers open their season against North Alabama.

While the current phase doesn't include sweeping renovations, Wednesday's announcement represents a significant moment for a project that's been in the works for years. Officials have spent most of the last year trying to generate funding for the renovations and secured a $50 million challenge grant from FedEx founder Fred Smith and his family late last year. The university plans to match that amount through donations.

The city of Memphis also allocated $120 million to the project from a $350 million fund of state money. That's been enough to kickstart the project.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis officially starts renovations of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium