Texas A&M played their first game at Kyle Field in 1929. Originally with a single-tier grandstand in a horseshoe configuration around the playing field, Kyle Field has grown enormously. The first expansion came prior to the 1967 season, when the second decks on the east and west sides of the field were constructed.
The next expansion came before the 1980 season, when the third decks were added. With this addition, the grandstands towered over the playing field.
The latest renovation was completed by the 1999 season. Over $32.9 million was spent in expanding the north endzone. The original stands on the north side that formed the horseshoe were removed and a new massive three tier grandstand was built.
This section, known as “The Zone,” houses luxury suites, club seats, and the Texas A&M sports museum. With this expansion, Kyle Field now has a seating capacity of 82,600.
Today, three-tier grandstands are located on the north, east, and west sides of the field. A small section of seating, along with the main video/scoreboard, is located on the south end of the stadium.
Autzen Stadium, University of Oregon
Capacity: 54,000; Surface: Fieldturf; Opened: Sept. 23, 1967Oregon athletic director Leo Harris, along with Thomas J. Autzen, whom the stadium was named after, spearheaded the project by giving the school $250,000 for the new stadium project.
By the 1967 season, the $2.5 million Autzen Stadium was complete and had a capacity of around 41,000. The Ducks played their first game at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 23, 1967.
Until 2002, Autzen Stadium underwent very few renovations. In 1982, the Barkers Stadium Club was added at the east end zone of the stadium.
A three-story building on the north side of the stadium containing 381 club seats and 12 luxury seats was constructed in 1989. A new press box was also constructed prior to the 1989 season.
The most recent addition came prior to the 2002 season, when 12,000 seats were added to the south rim of the stadium. Also included in this addition was the expansion of the press box that included 32 luxury suites.
Autzen is known for its crowd noise. During the 2007 game against the USC Trojans, a record crowd of 59,277 was recorded at 127.2 decibels.
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