Kroger Field is the home of Kentucky Wildcats football, on the University of Kentucky campus at 1540 University Drive in Lexington. It seats about 61,000 fans. The stadium opened in 1973 as Commonwealth Stadium, and the Wildcats beat Virginia Tech 31–26 in the first game on September 15, 1973.
The stadium took its current name on May 1, 2017, when the university and marketing partner JMI Sports announced the Kroger naming deal. By date of original construction, it is the newest football stadium in the Southeastern Conference.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Kentucky Wildcats football (NCAA, SEC)
- Location: Lexington, Kentucky
- Opened: September 15, 1973 (as Commonwealth Stadium)
- Renamed: Kroger Field, May 2017
- Capacity: About 61,000
- Playing surface: Synthetic turf on the C. M. Newton Grounds
- Renovation: 2015 project of well over $100 million
- Notable fact: Newest football stadium in the SEC by original construction date
From Commonwealth Stadium to Kroger Field
Commonwealth Stadium was built for about $12 million and opened in 1973. A 1999 expansion added 40 suites and lifted capacity to 67,606. In July 2011, the stadium added two large LED video boards, each about 37 by 80 feet.
The playing field carries the name C. M. Newton Grounds, honoring the former Kentucky athletics director. The name was assigned in 2001 and stayed after the 2017 stadium renaming.
The 2015 Renovation and Attendance
A major 2015 overhaul added a new press box, loge boxes, club seats, suites, a recruiting room, wider concourses, new restrooms, lighting and a new exterior facade. It also cut capacity from 67,606 to about 61,000. Sources give the cost as roughly $110 million to $126 million.
Wikipedia lists the record crowd at about 71,000 for the 2007 game against Florida, which was before the renovation. Since 2017, the stadium has also hosted Kentucky’s high school football championship games.
Explore more: More stadiums and arenas.
Kroger Field FAQs
How many people does Kroger Field hold?
Kroger Field seats about 61,000 fans. Before the 2015 renovation, capacity was 67,606.
What was Kroger Field called before?
It was called Commonwealth Stadium from its opening in 1973 until the Kroger naming was announced in May 2017.
Who plays at Kroger Field?
The Kentucky Wildcats football team plays its home games there. Since 2017, the stadium has also hosted Kentucky’s high school football championship games.
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Photo: Navin75 / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.