Mackay Stadium sits on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, and has served as the home field for Wolf Pack football since it opened on October 1, 1966. The stadium takes its name from the Mackay family, whose donations funded an earlier athletic field on the same site back in 1909.
What began as a modest 7,500-seat facility has grown through expansions in 1978, the early 1990s, and 2006 into a 30,000-seat venue. A $11.5 million renovation completed in 2016 upgraded seating throughout the bowl, and the playing surface was renamed Chris Ault Field in 2013 to honor the Wolf Pack’s longtime, Hall of Fame head coach.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Nevada Wolf Pack football, women’s soccer
- Location: Reno, Nevada
- Opened: October 1, 1966
- Capacity: 30,000
- Surface: Chris Ault Field (FieldTurf)
- Attendance record: 33,391 vs. UNLV, October 28, 1995
The Game-Day Experience
Set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada foothills, Mackay Stadium gives fans a scenic setting for Wolf Pack football every fall. The 2016 renovation improved concourses and seating comfort, while permanent lighting added in 2003 opened the door to night games under the Reno sky.
The stadium’s single-season attendance record came in 1991, when 180,457 fans turned out across nine games, reflecting the program’s deep local following in the Biggest Little City.
A Name Rooted in Nevada History
The Mackay name predates the modern stadium by decades. John William Mackay and his son Clarence funded an original athletic field on the university grounds in 1909, and that legacy carried over when the current stadium replaced it in 1966.
In 2013, the university renamed the playing surface Chris Ault Field, honoring the coach who led the Wolf Pack for parts of four decades and helped develop the pistol offense still used across college and professional football today.
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Mackay Stadium FAQs
When did Mackay Stadium open?
The current Mackay Stadium opened on October 1, 1966, replacing an earlier athletic field on the same University of Nevada, Reno campus site.
What is the capacity of Mackay Stadium?
Following expansions and renovations, Mackay Stadium now seats about 30,000 fans.
Why is it called Mackay Stadium?
It’s named for the Mackay family, particularly John William Mackay and his son Clarence, who funded an original athletic field on the site in 1909.
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Photo: Lanski / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.