Your Guide to the Oklahoma Sooners' Home Stadium

The Field at Oklahoma’s Memorial Stadium has been home to the Oklahoma Sooners since 1923.  This was the beginning of what would become one of the most historically successful college football programs in the country.

The Sooners have rolled up a staggering seven national championships, the highest winning percentage (since 1936 when the AP poll came out) and five Heisman trophy winners.  Oklahoma University is a school full of pride, from their fight song Boomer Sooner to the running of the Sooner Schooner (a Conestoga Wagon) before the game.

After a recent renovation, the stadium is now up to speed with the rest of the college football world (before the stadium was starting to really show it’s 75 years of service).  So, dust off your cowboy boots and huge hat...it’s time to head down to Norman Oklahoma.  Here are some fun facts about the stadium:

• Oklahoma played on the field in 1923, but the stadium officially opened in 1925.
• The stadium is commonly referred to as Owen Field
• The full name of the stadium is Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at Owen Field.
• The original seating capacity was 16,000.
• After numerous additions the current capacity is 82,112.
• Natural grass is the playing surface.
• The horseshoe shaped design is to memorialize those who fell in WWI.
• It is the third biggest stadium in the Big 12.
• 1997 is when Oklahoma erected permanent lights.
• In 2004, a new scoreboard and sound system were installed.
• New features around the stadium include a beautiful clock-tower and a tree-lined plaza.

Here are some other user Tips:

—A new six-story parking garage was constructed on the west side of the stadium (parking costs $10).
—Free game day parking exists about a mile to the south.
—Tailgating is a Sooner tradition and start at 12:00 the day before the game.
—Expect lots of tents to combat the sun at the tailgates along with some really good BBQ ribs.