Legion Field opened on November 19, 1927, in Birmingham, Alabama, and quickly earned the nickname “The Football Capital of the South” for the sheer volume of major college football it hosted. Over the decades it served as a home field for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, UAB Blazers, Samford Bulldogs, and Birmingham-Southern Panthers, and it hosted the Iron Bowl rivalry game between Alabama and Auburn for 40 seasons.
The stadium, often called “The Old Gray Lady,” also served as an Olympic venue during the 1996 Atlanta Games, hosting preliminary soccer matches, including a United States vs. Argentina match that drew a record crowd of over 83,000 fans. While the city’s newer Protective Stadium has taken over most major events since 2021, Legion Field remains standing and continues to host the annual Magic City Classic and other football games.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Opened: November 19, 1927
- Capacity: About 71,600
- Historical Peak Capacity: About 83,100 (1991)
- Teams: Alabama, Auburn, UAB, Samford, Birmingham-Southern
- Notable Fact: Hosted 1996 Olympic soccer preliminaries
A Century of Football History
Legion Field broke ground in 1926 and opened the following year, quickly becoming the epicenter of Southern college football. For decades, it hosted the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, along with SEC Championship Games in 1992 and 1993, and it remains the longtime home of the Magic City Classic, an annual rivalry game between Alabama State and Alabama A&M that has been played there since 1946.
The stadium also had a run in professional football, serving as home to teams like the Birmingham Americans, Birmingham Stallions, and Birmingham Fire across several defunct leagues, cementing its reputation as a workhorse venue for the sport in the Deep South.
Olympic Moment and Modern Role
During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Legion Field was chosen to host preliminary soccer matches, and a United States vs. Argentina match set the stadium’s all-time attendance record at over 83,000 spectators. The playing surface has changed several times over the years, moving from natural grass to Poly-Turf and AstroTurf before returning to grass and, more recently, FieldTurf.
Since Birmingham opened the $200 million Protective Stadium downtown in 2021, many of Legion Field’s marquee events have relocated. Even so, the city has continued to fund capital improvements, and the stadium still hosts games like the Magic City Classic and select college matchups, keeping its century-long football tradition alive.
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Legion Field FAQs
Is Legion Field still standing?
Yes, Legion Field is still standing in Birmingham, Alabama, and continues to host football games, though many major events have shifted to the newer Protective Stadium since 2021.
How old is Legion Field?
Legion Field opened on November 19, 1927, making it nearly a century old as of 2026.
What is Legion Field’s seating capacity?
Legion Field currently seats about 71,600 fans, down from a historical peak of roughly 83,100 seats in 1991.
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Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.