Arizona Stadium: A Legacy of Wildcats Football

Arizona Stadium, now known as J. F. Casino Del Sol Stadium until 2025, stands as a testament to the rich history and enduring tradition of University of Arizona football. Nestled in Tucson, Arizona, amidst the stunning Sonoran desert and framed by five mountain ranges, including the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains, the stadium has been the home of the Arizona Wildcats since 1929. Its evolution reflects the growth and passion surrounding the university's football program.

Origins and Early Expansion

The history of the football program began in 1899, though the "Wildcats" nickname didn't emerge until 1914. In the late 1920s, the vision for a dedicated football venue materialized with the construction of Arizona Stadium. Ground was broken in December 1928, and the stadium officially opened on October 12, 1929, with a seating capacity of 7,000, all located on the west side between the end zones. The inaugural game saw the Wildcats triumph over California Tech with a resounding 35-0 victory. The construction cost $166,888.

Recognizing the need for increased capacity, the stadium underwent its first expansion in 1938, with the addition of 3,000 seats on the east side between the 25-yard lines, bringing the total to 10,000.

Mid-Century Transformations

The post-World War II era brought further enhancements to Arizona Stadium. In 1947, seats were added in the end zones, and in 1950, the south end zone was enclosed in a horseshoe configuration, adding almost 8,700 seats and increasing capacity to 22,671. This gave the stadium its distinctive horseshoe look.

The 1960s: Modernization and Growth

The 1960s marked a period of significant modernization for Arizona Stadium. In 1965, the west side underwent a major expansion, adding 10,000 seats and a multi-level press box. The second box quickly became overcrowded when the University administration replaced five radio and television booths with a President's Box in 1966.

The 1970s: A Two-Tier Addition

The start of the 1976 season saw the completion of a two-tier addition on the east side, adding an impressive 17,000 seats to Arizona Stadium. This expansion earned recognition from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as one of six outstanding architectural projects in the Rocky Mountain States in 1977.

The 1980s: Scoreboards and Permanent Seating

The 1980s brought technological upgrades and further enhancements to the fan experience. A new computerized scoreboard with an illustrated message center was added in 1982, along with two smaller scoreboards in the southeast and southwest ends of the stadium. In 1981, the track team stopped using the stadium and the track was removed. Permanent seats were installed on the north side of the stadium by 1988.

The 1990s: Luxury and Modernization

The 1990s ushered in an era of luxury and modernization for Arizona Stadium. In 1989, a $6.3 million expansion and renovation of the press box was completed, adding 23 luxury suites and 319 club seats, along with a new President's Box. The project required building four 100,000-pound cantilever sections from which the structure is suspended. Constructing the cantilevers required a complex slip-forming operation taking place more than 100 feet in the air. The new structure hangs over the existing stadium but does not touch it. The Foundation financed the project by issuing double tax-exempt bonds under the Arizona Municipal Financing Program. Leases from Scholarship Suites and loge seats will fund the retirement of the bonds and in the future provide scholarships for athletes and the general student body. Each suite includes 12 theater-type seats with patrons provided the opportunity to purchase six additional tickets to the individual suite. The individual suites lease for $24,500 per year with a five-year commitment. New concession and rest room facilities on the northwest and northeast corners of the stadium were added at ground level, and a renovated and enlarged Stadium Club was completed in 1990.

The 2000s: Planning for the Future

In the early 2000s, discussions began regarding further upgrades to Arizona Stadium, aiming to maintain its relevance and competitiveness.

The 2010s: Technological Advancements and the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility

The 2010s brought significant changes to Arizona Stadium, both in terms of technology and facilities. Before the start of the 2011 season, one of the largest HD video/scoreboards, measuring 47 feet tall by 112 feet wide, was installed at Arizona Stadium, replacing the existing one from 1993. In January 2011, it was announced that a new 5,356-square-foot (498 m2) video board would be installed above the south stands in time for the 2011 season.

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The Lowell-Stevens Football Facility, located on the north side of the stadium, was completed before the 2013 season. This five-story building houses football operations internally and includes 5,000 upgraded seats, luxury boxes, and club seats. In addition to the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility, the playing surface was changed from natural Bermuda grass to FieldTurf, an infilled synthetic turf. The new surface allows the team to practice on the field during the week when previously it was off limits while the grass recovered between games.

In May 2013, the university held spring commencement ceremonies in the stadium for the first time since 1972 (they had been held in McKale Center after it opened in 1973).

The 2020s: Continued Enhancements and a New Name

In 2022, the field surface was upgraded to FieldTurf Vortex Core. In November 2025, the stadium will be renamed J. F. Casino Del Sol Stadium as part of a naming rights partnership.

Key Features and Traditions

Field and Configuration

The football field runs in the traditional north-south configuration, and the new artificial Field Turf sits at an elevation of 2,430 feet (740 m) above sea level.

ZonaZoo

The ZonaZoo student section, known for its enthusiastic support, occupies 9,000 seats on the lower east sideline, making it one of the larger student sections in the Big 12 Conference.

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Dormitories and Facilities

The facility also includes two dormitories, Pinal and Navajo, in the south stands, and Sierra Hall, which is home to offices for the music and residence life departments, located under the east stands.

Steward Observatory Mirror Lab

The Steward Observatory Mirror Lab, a mirror fabrication facility for large telescopes, sits under the east wing. In 1996 researchers cast an 8.4-meter reflector, the world's largest single-piece telescope mirror.

Arizona Bowl

Since December 2015, the stadium has hosted the Arizona Bowl, featuring teams from the Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences.

Filming Location

In 1983, the stadium's parking lot, located on the northeast end of the facility, was one of several filming locations for the 20th Century Fox comedy Revenge of the Nerds.

Memorable Moments and Records

Arizona Stadium has been the site of countless memorable moments in Wildcats football history. The stadium record crowd of 59,920 witnessed the Arizona-Arizona State game on November 23, 1996. Since playing and winning their first game on Oct. 12, 1929 (35-0 vs. California Tech), Arizona football teams have played 468 games in the stadium hovering around a 65% winning percentage.

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