Delaware Stadium has stood on South College Avenue in Newark, Delaware since November 15, 1952, when the Blue Hens christened the new venue with a 13-12 win over Lafayette. More than seven decades later, it remains the home turf for University of Delaware football, a program whose on-field success turned a modest 9,000-seat bowl into one of the FCS level’s most storied addresses.
Officially known as Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium since 2002, the venue honors the coach who guided the Blue Hens to three national championships. The stadium has been reshaped repeatedly over the decades, swelling to a peak capacity near 23,000 in the late 1970s before settling into its current, more intimate 18,500-seat footprint.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens football
- Location: Newark, Delaware
- Opened: November 15, 1952
- Capacity: About 18,500
- Official Name: Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium
- Playing Surface: FieldTurf (installed 2009-2010)
- Record Attendance: 23,619 (October 27, 1973, vs. Temple)
The Gameday Experience
Fall Saturdays at Delaware Stadium center on the Cockpit, the raucous student section named for the Blue Hens’ rooster mascot. The bowl-shaped seating keeps fans close to the FieldTurf surface, and the venue also hosts the university’s men’s and women’s lacrosse teams, having previously welcomed NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship games in the 1980s.
A Stadium Built on Winning
The stadium’s growth tracked the program’s success. Early expansions in 1964 and 1970 accommodated fans drawn by a dominant Blue Hens team, and by the time coach Tubby Raymond retired in 2001 with over 300 career wins and three national titles, the field itself had been renamed in his honor. The venue was scaled back to its current 18,500-seat capacity in 2020, trading peak-era size for a tighter, louder atmosphere.
Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums.
A see-through purse that looks like a purse. Works for most stadium, arena and concert bag policies.
Bleachers for three hours, but with back support. Folds flat and clips to the bench.
For upper-deck seats. Watch line play at the stadium, or the far side of the park from the top of a lift hill.
Delaware Stadium FAQs
What is Delaware Stadium’s official name?
It is officially named Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium, honoring longtime head coach Harold “Tubby” Raymond.
How many people does Delaware Stadium hold?
The stadium currently seats about 18,500 fans, down from a peak capacity of roughly 23,000 in the late 1970s.
When did Delaware Stadium open?
It opened on November 15, 1952, with the Blue Hens defeating Lafayette 13-12 in the inaugural game.
Get More from Delaware Stadium
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Delaware Stadium, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Szeremeta / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.