Lincoln Financial Field — known to fans as ‘The Linc’ — is a 67,594-seat NFL stadium in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home to the Philadelphia Eagles since its opening on August 3, 2003. Built at a cost of $512 million, the venue replaced the aging Veterans Stadium and was designed by architecture firm NBBJ with wing-like canopies intended to evoke the spread of an eagle in flight. The Eagles played their first regular-season game there on September 8, 2003, falling 17–0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in front of an announced crowd of 67,772.
Beyond football, The Linc has established itself as one of professional sports’ greenest arenas. In 2011, it became the world’s first major sports stadium to generate its own renewable energy on-site, deploying 11,108 solar panels and 14 wind turbines to cover roughly a third of the stadium’s annual electricity needs. The Eagles went on to earn LEED Gold certification — the first NFL franchise to do so — and the venue has since hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, WrestleMania 40, and multiple NCAA championships, with six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches also on the schedule.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Philadelphia Eagles (NFL); Temple Owls football (NCAA)
- Location: South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Opened: August 3, 2003
- Capacity: 67,594
- Construction Cost: $512 million
- Surface: HERO Hybrid Grass
- Luxury Suites: 172
- Notable First: First major sports stadium powered by self-generated renewable energy (LEED Gold certified)
A Stadium Built for the Faithful
The Linc was engineered to put fans close to the action. About two-thirds of its 67,594 seats line the sidelines, with front-row seats sitting just 60 feet from the field. Twin three-tier grandstands flank each sideline, while two-tier seating frames both end zones, giving virtually every section a clear view of the HERO Hybrid Grass below. Premium amenities include 172 luxury suites with 3,040 suite seats, more than 10,800 club seats, two 40,000-square-foot club lounges, and 308 concession points of sale spread across concourses ranging 60 to 90 feet wide.
The stadium’s event record stretches well beyond Eagles Sundays. WrestleMania 40 in April 2024 drew a two-night combined attendance of 145,298 — the largest crowd in venue history. A solo Ed Sheeran concert in June 2023 set the single-night record at 77,900. The Linc has also hosted 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, multiple NCAA Division I Lacrosse Championships, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and is slated to host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup under the temporary name ‘Philadelphia Stadium.’
Going Green: A Model for Pro Sports
In 2011 the Eagles completed a landmark sustainability project that changed how sports venues think about energy. The installation placed 11,108 solar panels across the stadium’s southern facade and roof and erected 14 wind turbines atop both end zones, producing roughly four megawatts of clean electricity per year — enough to power all 10 Eagles home games each season and cover approximately 33% of the stadium’s total annual energy demand.
The environmental math is striking: the system eliminates CO₂ emissions equivalent to removing around 41,000 cars from the road each year. Paired with a waste-diversion rate exceeding 99%, the effort earned Lincoln Financial Field LEED Gold certification, making the Eagles the first NFL franchise to reach that milestone. The Eagles project the renewable installation could save the organization more than $60 million over a 20-year span.
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Lincoln Financial Field FAQs
When did Lincoln Financial Field open?
Lincoln Financial Field opened on August 3, 2003. The Philadelphia Eagles played their first regular-season game there on September 8, 2003, losing 17–0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What is the seating capacity of Lincoln Financial Field?
The stadium seats 67,594 for NFL games. Special events have exceeded that figure; WrestleMania 40 drew a two-night combined total of 145,298 in April 2024.
Is Lincoln Financial Field really powered by renewable energy?
Yes. Since 2011, 11,108 solar panels and 14 on-site wind turbines generate roughly a third of the stadium’s annual electricity. The Eagles were the first NFL franchise to earn LEED Gold certification as a result.
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Photo: Ron Reiring / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.