From sunrise tailgates to the final whistle and school fight song, there is nothing quite like the experience of cheering on your alma mater in a college football game.
There has been a lot of innovation in stadium construction and fan experience in 150+ years of competition, but these iconic venues take us back to the origins of the game. Take a closer look at some of the oldest college football stadiums in the U.S. and learn about their lasting legacies.
Franklin Field – Philadelphia, Pa.
Built in 1895, Franklin Field is the country’s oldest college football stadium. It is home to the University of Pennsylvania Quakers of the Ivy League and hosts the annual Penn Relays track and field meet. The Eastern University record with 1,423 games played in its proud history. The Quakers enter the 2023 season with an 867-514-42 all-time record.
Franklin Field is also a museum of firsts that shaped the sport. It hosted some of the earliest college football radio broadcasts in 1922 and early telecasts in 1940, and it was among the first venues to use instant replay in 1963. The stadium installed one of the first permanent scoreboards in the U.S. and is credited as the first NFL venue to use artificial turf in 1969. Its original reinforced-concrete horseshoe, completed in 1903, set a template for permanent stadium design. Today, visitors experience classic architecture with modern upgrades that preserve history while improving comfort and accessibility, as documented by Penn Athletics on Franklin Field’s history and historic moments. Franklin Field opened in 1895 and is the nation’s oldest college football stadium and its timeline of events, including the Penn Relays and early upper-deck work, is recorded in Penn Athletics’ historic moments. Franklin Field’s historic timeline and capacity details are documented by Penn Athletics.
Harvard Stadium – Boston, Mass.
While it isn’t the oldest, Harvard Stadium was the first venue specifically built for college football. The Harvard Crimson football team began in 1874, several years before its construction, and played McGill University in its first game. Harvard Stadium was built in 1903 as a 25th-anniversary gift from the class of 1879. It holds 30,323 fans.
The Harvard Crimson, who play in the Ivy League, are the primary residents of Harvard Stadium. From 1890 to 1919, the Crimson won seven national championships including back-to-back titles in 1912 and 1913.
Harvard Stadium’s early use of reinforced concrete influenced football’s evolution by prompting rule changes that favored the forward pass; the venue’s design and role in those changes are noted by the Harvard Gazette. Harvard Stadium was an early reinforced-concrete structure whose fixed dimensions helped prompt the 1906 rules changes that legalized the forward pass. Fans can explore events and seating options at the venue on TicketSmarter’s Harvard Stadium page: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/harvard-stadium
Kyle Field – College Station, Texas
Texas A&M’s Kyle Field is one of the largest college football stadiums in the country seating 102,733. However, when it was built for the Aggies football team in 1905, it started on a 400×400-foot plot of land donated by athletic council president and dean of agriculture Edwin Jackson Kyle.
And even though the capacity nearly doubles most other stadiums of the time, Kyle Field is consistently pushing capacity, averaging more than 100,000 fans every season since 2014 as a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This passionate fanbase is so well-known, in fact, that it has a nickname, “The 12th Man,” for E. King Gill who came down from the stands and suited up for the team in 1922. The Aggies, who founded their football program in 1894, have played at Kyle Field since 1905.
Kyle Field’s long timeline and seating figures are maintained by Texas A&M athletics, which notes the 1905 origin and later major redevelopment that established its current capacity and consistent large-season attendance averages. Kyle Field has been home to Texas A&M football since 1905 and lists a seating capacity of about 102,733. Planning a visit to Aggieland is easy with TicketSmarter. See upcoming dates and seats here: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/kyle-field
Fitton Field – Worcester, Mass.
The Holy Cross Crusaders played their first game in 1903 but did not dedicate Fitton Field until 1905 and did not play at the current site until 1908. Fitton Field’s steel structuring was added in 1924 and the stadium went through another major renovation in 1986 to remove the wooden stands and complete the horseshoe design. It now seats 23,500.
Along with the renovation, the Crusaders enjoyed a rebirth of sorts within the program winning 16 consecutive games between 1987 and 1989. The Crusaders compete in the Patriot League.
Bobby Dodd Stadium – Atlanta, Ga.
Beating Kyle Field by a few years, Bobby Dodd Stadium claims the title of the oldest on-campus stadium in NCAA Division I FBS history. The technicality here is Bobby Dodd Stadium opened in 1913 and Kyle Field was not a concrete stadium until 1927.
Home to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), this popular destination was originally named Grant Field before taking its new moniker in 1988. It seats 55,000 and was also home to Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer until 2017. Since 2020, Bobby Dodd Stadium has had a state-of-the-art Shaw Sports Turf Legion NXT playing surface that allows for year-round activities including concerts when the Yellow Jackets are not in season.
Fans love the pageantry here, from the Ramblin’ Wreck leading the team onto the field to a tech-forward playing surface. Explore events and seats with TicketSmarter: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/bobby-dodd-stadium
The Next 5 Oldest Stadiums
There are several more venues that have endured for more than a century including a pair of stadiums in Mississippi and one built on former Civil War training grounds in Wisconsin. Together, these are the 10 oldest stadiums in college football.
- Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.
- Yale Bowl in New Haven, Conn.
- Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
- Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc.
Historic venues across the country continue to blend preservation with upgrades. Common projects include concrete restoration, improved sightlines, ADA and code compliance, enhanced concessions, and modern connectivity like Wi-Fi and better cellular coverage. Many of these early-1900s stadiums were expanded rather than rebuilt, which helps preserve character while adding capacity and amenities.
College Football Tickets
Mark an item off your sports fan bucket list with a game at one of these historic venues. Whether it is an early non-conference matchup or one of the final games before the College Football Playoff, TicketSmarter makes it easy to secure your seat in the stands with college football tickets.
You can also browse individual legacy venues on TicketSmarter:
- Harvard Stadium: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/harvard-stadium
- Kyle Field: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/kyle-field
- Bobby Dodd Stadium: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/bobby-dodd-stadium
- Rose Bowl Stadium: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/rose-bowl
- Ohio Stadium: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/ohio-stadium
- College Football Playoff National Championship: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/p/college-football-national-championship-tickets
FAQs
Which college football stadiums are the oldest and still hosting games today?
TicketSmarter highlights Franklin Field, Harvard Stadium, Kyle Field, Fitton Field, and Bobby Dodd Stadium as among the oldest venues still in use. You can find seats to games at many of these stadiums on TicketSmarter, including Harvard Stadium and Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Why is Harvard Stadium considered the first venue built specifically for college football?
Built in 1903 with reinforced concrete, Harvard Stadium was designed for football sightlines and field dimensions. That construction approach influenced later rules that favored the forward pass. Explore events and tickets: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/harvard-stadium
What unique fan experiences will I find at century-old stadiums?
Traditions are a major draw. Kyle Field’s 12th Man and Midnight Yell, Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck entrance, and classic marching bands create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. TicketSmarter makes it simple to experience these rituals with college football tickets: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football
Which on-campus stadiums claim oldest status in Division I FBS and why?
Bobby Dodd Stadium opened in 1913 and is widely cited as the oldest on-campus FBS stadium in continuous use. Kyle Field’s football use dates to 1905, with its major concrete expansion in 1927. You can compare events and seating at each on TicketSmarter: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/bobby-dodd-stadium and https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/kyle-field
How do seating capacities differ among the oldest college football stadiums?
Capacities vary widely. Kyle Field seats 102,733, while Harvard Stadium holds about 30,323 and Bobby Dodd Stadium seats about 55,000. TicketSmarter’s venue pages show section maps and available seats so you can choose your preferred view.
What renovations and preservation challenges do 100-year-old stadiums face?
Common needs include concrete repair, code and ADA updates, Wi-Fi and cellular upgrades, and premium seating additions. Many venues phase work to protect historic character. TicketSmarter helps you find events during and after upgrades.
Where can I find tickets for games at historic college football venues?
TicketSmarter offers easy access to seats for legacy venues across the country, including the Rose Bowl and Ohio Stadium. Browse events here:
- Rose Bowl Stadium: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/rose-bowl
- Ohio Stadium: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/venues/ohio-stadium
- College Football tickets: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football
Can I buy tickets to major postseason games like the College Football Playoff National Championship?
Yes. TicketSmarter lists seats for the College Football Playoff National Championship. Check availability here: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/p/college-football-national-championship-tickets
Updated date: December 12, 2025
