Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ self-funded $400 million renovation plan for Sun Life Stadium is underway.

Ross has regularly discussed the need to modernize the stadium that opened in 1987 and after public funding avenues were fruitless, decided to foot the entire bill in hopes that major sporting events — five Super Bowls and four national championship games in college football were played in the venue — would return to South Beach.

Almost all of the stadium seats were removed in a preview held in Miami but Sun Life Stadium will be open for play in 2015. However, renovations will not yet be finalized.

It will remain an open-air venue with a rectangular roof or natural shade canopy over most sections with expansion of suites, high-definition video boards installed and increase seating options.

Ross’ chance to lure the Super Bowl to Miami could be decided upon in March, when NFL owners meet in Arizona.

Super Bowl 50 will be held in Santa Clara, Calif., in February 2016 and Houston hosts in 2017. The Minnesota Vikings’ new home gets the Super Bowl in 2018.