Aggie Memorial Stadium sits on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where it has served as the home field of the New Mexico State Aggies football program since it opened in September 1978. The venue replaced an earlier, much smaller Memorial Stadium and gave the Aggies a modern facility built with state funding during the late 1970s.
Beyond football, the stadium has carried an unusually varied resume for a college venue, hosting university commencement ceremonies and even major touring concerts over the decades. Today it anchors NM State athletics as a Conference USA member, blending its original 1970s structure with turf and technology upgrades added over the years.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): New Mexico State Aggies (NCAA, Conference USA)
- Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Opened: September 16, 1978
- Capacity: About 28,853
- Construction Cost: About $4 million (1978)
- Playing Surface: Artificial turf (since 2014)
- Notable Fact: Hosted concerts by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Paul McCartney, and The Eagles
Building the Stadium
Groundbreaking for Aggie Memorial Stadium took place in March 1977, with the New Mexico State Legislature funding the roughly $4 million project as part of a capital outlay package. Construction took about 18 months, and the stadium opened its gates on September 16, 1978, when the Aggies beat rival UTEP 35-32 in the inaugural game.
The original seating capacity was listed at just over 30,000, and the stadium has since been adjusted to a current capacity of about 28,853. Its playing surface switched from natural Bermuda grass, used from 1978 through 2013, to artificial turf starting in 2014.
More Than Just Football
Over the years, Aggie Memorial Stadium has hosted far more than Aggies football games. During a renovation of NM State’s on-campus arena in the mid-2000s, the stadium stepped in to host university commencement ceremonies. It has also served as a concert venue for major touring acts, drawing crowds well beyond typical game-day attendance.
Facility upgrades have kept the venue current, including additional lighting poles in 2005, a large video scoreboard added in 2007, and a premium Club 27 seating level introduced in 2015. The stadium’s recorded attendance record stands at 32,993, set during a game against UTEP.
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USB-charged warmers for cold night games — no disposable packets.
Keeps chili hot from the tailgate to the fourth quarter.
Aggie Memorial Stadium FAQs
When did Aggie Memorial Stadium open?
The stadium opened on September 16, 1978, with the New Mexico State Aggies defeating UTEP 35-32 in the first game played there.
What is the capacity of Aggie Memorial Stadium?
The stadium currently seats about 28,853 fans, down slightly from its original capacity of just over 30,000.
Has Aggie Memorial Stadium hosted events other than football?
Yes, it has hosted university commencement ceremonies and concerts by major touring artists including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Paul McCartney, and The Eagles.
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Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.