Lambeau Field

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Since 1925, the Packers had played at 25,000-seat City Stadium, located behind Green Bay East High School. However, by the 1950s, it was considered inadequate for the times. It was built almost entirely of wood, and East High's locker room facilities were considered inadequate even in the 1920s; visiting teams often dressed before the game at the Hotel Northland, where the Packers' opponents stayed at the time. The stadium could not be expanded. East High's location ruled out any expansion to the south, and it could not be expanded to the north or east due to its location along the East River. Officials in Milwaukee, 120 miles (190 km) to the south, where the Packers had played a part of their schedule since 1933, knew that City Stadium was less than ideal as an NFL venue. They built Milwaukee County Stadium in 1953 in hopes of luring the Packers there full-time. As originally built, County Stadium was double the size of City Stadium. Soon after County Stadium opened, the other NFL owners threatened to force the Packers to move to Milwaukee unless they built a new stadium. In August 1955, the Packers announced plans for a new stadium in Green Bay, with a seating capacity of 32,000. In April 1956, Green Bay voters responded by approving (70.3%) a bond issue to finance the new stadium. The original cost in 1957 was $960,000 (paid off in 1978), and its seating capacity was 32,500. The new stadium was the first modern stadium built specifically for an NFL franchise. At the time, the eleven other NFL teams were playing either in facilities shared with major league baseball teams or in other pre-existing shared facilities. The site, now bordered on three sides by the village of Ashwaubenon, was selected because it had a natural slope, ideal for creating the bowl shape, along with expansive parking. The nearby outdoor practice fields (Clarke Hinkle Field and Ray Nitschke Field) and Don Hutson Center are in Ashwaubenon, as was the Packers Hall of Fame until 2003. The land had once been farmland belonging to Jacques Vieau. The new stadium, originally known as "(New) City Stadium", was officially opened in week one of the 1957 season on September 29, as the Packers upset the rival Bears 21–17 in front of a capacity crowd of 32,132. In a ceremony at halftime, the stadium was dedicated by Vice President Richard Nixon. Also in attendance on the platform were reigning Mis

In Their Own Story

Wind sweeps in from the Bay, carrying a chill that seeps through wool and leather alike. Inside, the air hangs heavy with anticipation, scented by grilling smoke and damp turf. The ground beneath the players' cleats isn't merely grass; under floodlights, it hardens into an unforgiving surface. Players adjust helmets against the cold, facing a sea of green and gold stretching from the sidelines to the upper deck. There are no climate-controlled domes here—just the elements, the roar of the crowd, and a city’s refusal to let its team fade.

Reader's Guide

The stadium's street address has been 1265 Lombardi Avenue since August 1968, when Highland Avenue was renamed in honor of former head coach Vince Lombardi, namesake of the Super Bowl championship trophy. Lambeau sits on a block east of Titletown District, a mixed-use development with a luxury hotel, restaurants, a brewery, apartments, offices, and other entertainment. The stadium and Titletown hosted the 2025 NFL draft. Seating capacity has increased over time: 32,500 in 1957; 38,669 in 1961; 42,327 in 1963; about 50,837 in 1965; 56,263 in 1970; 56,926 in 1985; 59,543 in 1990; 60,890 in 1995; 72,515 after the 2001–2003 renovation; and 81,441 currently. The Packers have sold out every game since 1960, and at least 150,000 names are on the waiting list. Between 40 and 500 names come off the list each year. Because of the sell-out streak, the Packers have not had a home game blacked out since a 1983 Wild Card Playoff game against the Cardinals.

Did You Know?

• Lambeau Field is the oldest continually operating NFL stadium.
• In 2007, the Packers completed their 51st season at Lambeau, breaking the all-time NFL record set by the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field (1921–1970).
• Only the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field have longer active home-field tenures in American professional sports.
• During the 2007 season, Lambeau Field was voted the number one NFL stadium in game-day atmosphere and fan experience by a Sports Illustrated online poll.
• In 2009, The Sports Turf Managers Association named Lambeau Field the 2009 Field of the Year.