 Aerial view in 2004 | |
 | |
| Location | 800 George Washington Blvd., Akron, Ohio 44312 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°2′22″N 81°27′22″W / 41.03944°N 81.45611°W |
| Owner | County of Summit, Ohio |
| Operator | County of Summit, Ohio |
| Capacity | 35,202 |
| Surface | Grass (1940–1976) Astroturf (1977–2002) AstroPlay (2003–2008) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1939 |
| Opened | 1940 |
| Closed | 2008 |
| Demolished | 2018, 2023 |
| Construction cost | $546,000 ($11.9 million in 2023 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Osborn Engineering Company |
| Tenants | |
| Akron Zips (NCAA) 1940–2008 | |
The Rubber Bowl was a stadium located in Akron, Ohio, that was primarily used for American football. From its opening in 1940 until 2008, it served as the home field of the Akron Zips football team of the University of Akron prior to the opening of InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field. Throughout its history, it also hosted concerts, professional football, high school football, and other events. It was named after the predominance of the tire industry in Akron. The stadium had a seating capacity of 35,202 and was located in southeastern Akron next to Akron Fulton International Airport and Derby Downs, about 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown.
Since 2008, the stadium had been mostly vacant, hosting some high school football games. In 2013, the Rubber Bowl was acquired by Team1 Marketing Group Inc. of Canton, Ohio, with plans to renovate and update the structure as the home for a professional football team. Renovation work began later in 2013, but initial plans for a professional team in the revived United States Football League (USFL) fell through.
The stadium was condemned in 2017, and partial demolition began on June 20, 2018. By 2020, the south and east tiers, built into the hillside, remained, along with their respective ticket booths, though all wound up in a dilapidated state from damage caused by vandals and weathering. Most of the artificial turf field, last used in 2008, also remained in place during that time, though it had also been heavily damaged by vandals and the elements. As part of a statewide initiative, the remaining parts of the Rubber Bowl were demolished in mid-2023 after almost 15 years of abandonment.[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.
- ^ Thompson, Anthony (July 21, 2023). "The Rubber Bowl, Akron's former sports and entertainment hub, finally vanishes from view". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2024.