Harvard Stadium

The oldest original college football stadium still in use, where the forward pass was born.

Harvard Stadium is a U-shaped college football stadium in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Owned and operated by Harvard University, it is home to the Harvard Crimson football program and can seat just over 25,000 spectators.

Quick Facts

Location: 95 N. Harvard Street; Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Groundbreaking: July 1903
Opened: November 14, 1903; 1903
Owner: Harvard University
Surface: FieldTurf (2006–present); Natural grass (1903–2005)
Architect: Louis J. Johnson; Class of 1887
Capacity: 25,000 (1952–present); Former capacity

Lore & Background

Opened in 1903, it is the oldest original stadium structure still in use for college football and the nation's oldest permanent concrete structure dedicated to intercollegiate athletics. The stadium was a pioneering execution of reinforced concrete in the construction of large structures. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Harvard Stadium led to the creation of standard field dimensions and the forward pass in American football.

Reader's Guide

Harvard installed FieldTurf and lights in 2006. On September 22, 2007, Harvard played its first night game at the stadium, beating Brown University, 24–17.

Did You Know?

Harvard Stadium hosted the Boston Patriots' entire 1970 season, their first in the NFL after the AFL–NFL merger and their last before becoming the New England Patriots.
The stadium hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for men's track and field in 1912, 1920, 1924, and 1928.
Bob Marley performed a historic concert at the stadium in 1979 as part of the Amandla Festival.
Janis Joplin performed her last show at the stadium in 1970, shortly before her death.