Raymond James Stadium stands at 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, Florida, serving as the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since its opening on September 20, 1998. Built at a cost of $168.5 million as a replacement for the aging Tampa Stadium, the venue holds approximately 65,854 fans for NFL games in its standard configuration and can expand to roughly 75,000 for marquee events with temporary seating.
Designed by Wagner Murray Architects and Populous, the stadium is instantly recognizable for its 103-foot, 43-ton steel-and-concrete replica pirate ship moored in the north end zone. The ship’s cannons fire after every Buccaneers score, making Raymond James Stadium one of the most distinctive game-day environments in professional football.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL); South Florida Bulls (NCAA)
- Location: Tampa, Florida
- Opened: September 20, 1998
- Capacity: ~65,854 (expandable to ~75,000)
- Construction Cost: $168.5 million
- Surface: Tifway 419 Bermuda grass
- Super Bowls Hosted: 3 (XXXV, XLIII, LV)
Super Bowl Legacy
Raymond James Stadium has hosted three Super Bowls, placing it among the most decorated venues in NFL history. Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001 saw the Baltimore Ravens dominate the New York Giants 34–7, while Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009 produced one of the game’s great finishes as the Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Arizona Cardinals 27–23 on a last-minute touchdown.
Super Bowl LV in February 2021 etched the stadium into the record books permanently. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9, becoming the first team in NFL history to play in and win a Super Bowl at their own home stadium.
Beyond the Gridiron
Raymond James Stadium hosts far more than NFL Sundays. The University of South Florida Bulls play their college football home schedule here, and the venue welcomed WrestleMania 37 in April 2021 alongside major international soccer matches, monster truck shows, and stadium-scale concert tours.
The single-game attendance record of 74,512 was set during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, demonstrating the stadium’s ability to draw fans well beyond its standard NFL configuration.
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Raymond James Stadium FAQs
How many Super Bowls has Raymond James Stadium hosted?
Three — Super Bowl XXXV (2001), Super Bowl XLIII (2009), and Super Bowl LV (2021). The Buccaneers’ win in Super Bowl LV made them the first NFL team to play in and win a Super Bowl at their own stadium.
What is the seating capacity of Raymond James Stadium?
The standard NFL configuration holds approximately 65,854 fans. Temporary seating can push that figure toward 75,000 for major events; the all-time attendance record is 74,512, set at the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.
What is the pirate ship inside Raymond James Stadium?
It is a 103-foot, 43-ton steel-and-concrete replica pirate ship permanently installed in the north end zone. The ship’s cannons fire celebratory blasts after every Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown and scoring play.
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Photo: Devin Morris / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.