Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois)

Memorial Stadium
Zuppke Field
Aerial view of Memorial Stadium in 2021
Map
Full nameUniversity of Illinois Memorial Stadium
Address1402 South 1st Street
LocationChampaign, Illinois
Coordinates40°5′57″N 88°14′9″W / 40.09917°N 88.23583°W / 40.09917; -88.23583
Public transitBus transport MTD
OwnerUniversity of Illinois
OperatorUniversity of Illinois
Capacity60,670 (2011–present)[4]

Former capacity:

List
    • 62,870 (2008–2010)
    • 57,078 (2007)
    • 69,249 (2002–2006)
    • 70,904 (1992–2001)
    • 70,053 (1991)
    • 69,200 (1988–1990)
    • 70,153 (1987)
    • 70,563 (1984–1986)
    • 70,906 (1983)
    • 71,227 (1964–1982)
    • 71,119 (1930–1963)
    • 55,524 (1923–1929)
SurfaceGrass (1923–1974)
AstroTurf (1975–2000)
AstroPlay (2001–2007)
FieldTurf (2008–present)
Construction
Broke groundSeptember 11, 1922 (1922-09-11)[1]
OpenedNovember 3, 1923 (1923-11-03)
Renovated1985, 2008, 2013
Expanded1930
Construction costUS$1,700,000 ($30.4 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectHolabird & Roche (original)
HNTB (renovation)
General contractorEnglish Brothers[3]
Tenants
Illinois Fighting Illini (NCAA)
(1923–present)
Chicago Bears (NFL) (2002)
Website
fightingillini.com/memorial-stadium

Memorial Stadium is a stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois, United States. The stadium, used primarily for football, is a memorial to the university's students who died in World War I; their names are engraved on the nearly 200 pillars surrounding the stadium's façade.[5] With a capacity of 60,670, the stadium is primarily used as the home of the university's Fighting Illini football team.

  1. ^ "Start Work on Stadium". Christian Science Monitor. September 12, 1922. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Memorial Stadium Dedication Plaque
  4. ^ "Illinois Taking Out 2,200 Seats". ESPN. April 12, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  5. ^ "2012 Illinois Football Game Day Staff Handbook" (PDF). University of Illinois Department of Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2013.