NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The construction of the new Nissan Stadium in Nashville, set to accommodate the Titans in the 2027 season, faces potential cost increases due to tariffs on steel imported from China. Under the agreement with Metro Nashville, any cost overruns from these tariff increases will be the responsibility of the team.
Estimates suggest that the financial impact could range into tens of millions of dollars, though the Titans are hopeful that the tariffs will not escalate to a worst-case scenario, which could mean an additional $40 million in costs. Notably, a portion of the stadium’s steel has already arrived in Nashville, with some incorporated into the current structure.
A recent truce between the U.S. and China led to a temporary decrease in tariffs on Chinese goods, dropping from as high as 145 percent to 30 percent for an initial 90 days. Nevertheless, if no long-term resolution is reached, tariffs could revert to their previous higher rates thereafter.
According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the tariff on steel was recorded at 20.8 percent at the start of 2025 and held steady at 19.3 percent since early 2020. Although the Titans and their construction partners secured steel pricing early, it did not account for changes in tax implications that come into play once the materials arrive in the U.S. at Savannah, Georgia.
While the current budget may include provisions for such overruns, it remains to be seen how substantial the impact will be given that additional materials aside from steel may also be sourced from China.
This development highlights ongoing trade dynamics and their significant implications for local infrastructure projects, illustrating how global economics can directly affect community investments and sports facilities. It also emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and flexibility in project budgets to accommodate unforeseen fluctuations.