A Storied Legacy: The History and Evolution of Stanford University's Football Stadium
Stanford Stadium, an outdoor athletic stadium on the Stanford University campus, has been the home of the Stanford Cardinal college football team since 1921 and hosts the university's commencement exercises. Located in the heart of California, this stadium has witnessed over nine decades of sporting history, evolving from a simple earthen horseshoe with wooden bleachers to a modern, state-of-the-art facility.
The Genesis of Stanford Stadium: A Rivalry Ignites
The construction of the original Stanford Stadium was fueled by a fierce rivalry with the University of California, Berkeley. As both institutions sought to enhance their athletic facilities, a competition arose to see who could build a new football stadium first. Stanford successfully raised the necessary funds and completed Stanford Stadium in 1921, marking a significant milestone in the university's athletic history.
The stadium officially opened on November 19, 1921, with a game against the Golden Bears. Although Stanford was defeated 42-7, the event marked the beginning of a new era for Stanford football. The initial construction cost was just over $500,000, providing a seating capacity of 60,000. The grandstand was designed in a horseshoe shape.
Early Expansions and Modifications
In 1925, Stanford Stadium underwent its first expansion, with the addition of over 10,000 seats that partially enclosed the horseshoe design. By 1927, fourteen additional rows of seating were added around the rim of the stadium, increasing the seating capacity to its maximum of 85,500, with eighty rows of seating.
Further improvements were made in 1960, including the construction of a new press box and tunnel entrances on the west side. The last major addition to Stanford Stadium before its 2005 demolition occurred in 1978, when scoreboards were added above the stands in the north and south end zones.
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A Venue for Historic Events
Throughout its history, Stanford Stadium has hosted a variety of high-profile events, solidifying its place in sporting and cultural history.
Super Bowl XIX
In January 1985, Stanford Stadium hosted Super Bowl XIX, where the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16. It is one of only two venues to host a Super Bowl without previously serving as the home stadium of an NFL or AFL team.
Loma Prieta Earthquake
On October 22, 1989, a San Francisco 49ers home game against the New England Patriots was played at Stanford Stadium due to damage suffered by Candlestick Park during the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake.
International Sporting Events
Stanford Stadium has been a prominent venue for international football matches, including those for the 1984 Summer Olympics, the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Other Notable Events
Beyond football, Stanford Stadium has hosted significant events such as Herbert Hoover's acceptance speech for the 1928 Republican Presidential nomination.
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Renovations and Modernization
Over the years, Stanford Stadium has undergone several renovations to improve the fan experience and meet modern standards.
1994 and 1995 Renovations
In 1994, prior to the FIFA World Cup, the lower level of the press box was expanded, and aluminum benches were installed throughout the stadium. In 1995, a $10 million gift from Los Angeles insurance executive and Stanford graduate Louis W. Foster enabled further updates, including widening the concourse, improving the restrooms, and replacing the remaining wooden seats. In honor of his generosity, Stanford named the playing surface the Lewis W. Foster Family Field.
The 2006 Reconstruction: A New Era
In June 2005, the university Board of Trustees authorized plans for a complete demolition and reconstruction of the stadium. The goals of this project were to remove the track, reduce the stadium capacity, and bring the facility up to date with contemporary standards for sporting venues.
Several factors motivated this extensive renovation. The existing stadium had poor sightlines, rendering the bottom 14 rows unusable. Additionally, the long stairways and inadequate restroom facilities needed improvement. The new stadium's capacity was set at approximately 50,000 seats, manufactured by Ducharme Seating.
The reduction in seating capacity was a strategic decision aimed at boosting season ticket sales and creating a more intimate atmosphere without sacrificing the ability to host major world-class events.
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Construction commenced immediately after the Cardinal's last home game of the 2005 football season, a loss to Notre Dame on November 26. Bulldozers began tearing out the natural field turf in a ceremony held while attendees were still in the stadium. The construction proceeded rapidly through the winter and spring.
Opening of the New Stadium
The new Stanford Stadium officially opened on September 16, 2006, with a game against Navy. The Stanford Band was absent from the opening due to restrictions related to a vandalism incident.
The renovated facility occupies 18.4 acres, with a footprint of 601,128 square feet, and a playing surface 29 feet below ground level. The stadium now features a rectangular shape with 43 rows on the sides, 22 rows in the end zones, and 30 rows below the skybox.
In 2013, Stanford upgraded its scoreboards with twin high-resolution video boards, further enhancing the fan experience.
Fan Experience and Policies
Stanford Athletics has implemented several policies to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all fans attending events at Stanford Stadium.
Clear Bag Policy
All fans in attendance must adhere to Stanford Athletics' clear bag policy. Fans are asked to remove cell phones, keys, and other large metal objects before passing through metal detectors. While fans are encouraged not to bring bags, certain bags are permitted, as outlined by the clear bag policy, which limits the size and type of bags carried into the venue.
Parking Information
Arriving early is recommended to avoid delays. All vehicles entering any football parking lot are required to have a valid parking pass for the lot or must pay for entry on-site (General Lots #8, #9, and #13 only).
Several parking lots are available, each with specific access rules:
- Sunken Diamond Lot: Located near Gate 2, accessible via Galvez Street and Nelson Road.
- Lot #2/El Camino Grove: Located on El Camino Real south of Galvez Street and Embarcadero Road.
- Track Lot: Located adjacent to Stanford Stadium, outside Gate 4, accessible via Galvez Street or Serra Street.
- Galvez Lot: Located at the corner of Galvez Street and Campus Drive.
- Masters Grove: Located on El Camino Real south of Galvez Street and Embarcadero Road.
- Toyon Grove: Located on Galvez Street between Galvez Lot and Lot #3.
- IM South Lot #4: Located on El Camino Real south of Galvez Street and Embarcadero Road.
- Cardinal Lots #3, #7 & #10: Accessible via Palm Drive and Campus Drive East or Galvez Street and Arboretum Road (Available to Season Ticket Members only).
- Lot #8/Arboretum Grove: Accessible via Galvez Street and Arboretum Road or El Camino Real.
- Lot #9/Lasuen Grove: Accessible via Palm Drive and Campus Drive East or Galvez Street and Campus Drive.
- Lot #13: Accessible via Galvez Street and Arboretum Road.
- Bus Parking Area: Located on Galvez Street west of Stanford Stadium and Campus Drive.
Payment for parking can be made on game day via credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay in the General Lots.
Tailgating
Tailgating is permitted in designated football parking lots around Stanford Stadium. Stanford has partnered with RevelXP to offer reserved tailgate packages on Maloney Field and Avery Plaza.
Fan Fest
Stanford Football's Fan Fest offers live entertainment, kids' activities, and food/beverage for purchase prior to every home football game. Fan Fest is located in the Hammer Throw area between Cobb Track and Nelson Road, across from Gate 3.
Accessibility
Stanford Stadium is committed to providing an accessible experience for all guests. Assistive listening devices are available for all events. All restrooms throughout the main concourse, upper level, and Skybox are ADA accessible. A family restroom is located in the south guest service room behind section 103. Wheelchair seating is available in both the upper and lower bowls.
Accessible parking is located within the Varsity Lot (L-97) on Nelson Road. A courtesy shuttle is available to transport guests with disabilities to and from various locations inside and outside the Stadium.
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