McLane Stadium is the home football venue of the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas, opening on August 31, 2014 with a 45-0 win over SMU. Built at a cost of about $266 million and designed by the architectural firm Populous, the stadium replaced the aging Floyd Casey Stadium as Baylor’s on-campus gameday centerpiece.
Originally announced as Baylor Stadium, the venue was renamed McLane Stadium in December 2013 to honor alumnus and businessman Drayton McLane Jr., who provided the lead gift toward its construction. Its riverside setting on the Brazos River has made it one of the more distinctive stadium locations in college football.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Baylor Bears (NCAA football)
- Location: Waco, Texas
- Opened: August 31, 2014
- Capacity: About 45,140 (expandable to around 55,000)
- Cost: About $266 million
- Architect: Populous
- Notable feature: Riverside ‘sailgating’ access via the Brazos River
A Stadium Built on the River
McLane Stadium sits on the north bank of the Brazos River near downtown Waco, a location that gave rise to one of college football’s more unusual pregame traditions: sailgating, where fans arrive by boat and dock along the riverbank before kickoff.
The stadium also features a roughly 5,000-square-foot LED video board, among the larger displays in college football when it debuted, along with a football-shaped locker room finished in cherry wood.
Replacing a Baylor Landmark
McLane Stadium succeeded Floyd Casey Stadium, Baylor’s longtime home field, as part of a broader campus and athletics investment. The move to a riverside, near-campus site was intended to boost gameday atmosphere and attendance after years at the older venue.
Since opening, the stadium has hosted standout crowds, including a record attendance of about 50,223 fans for a 2019 matchup against Oklahoma, reflecting Baylor football’s growth during the McLane era.
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McLane Stadium FAQs
Who plays at McLane Stadium?
The Baylor Bears NCAA football team has played its home games at McLane Stadium since it opened in 2014.
How many people does McLane Stadium hold?
McLane Stadium has a listed capacity of about 45,140, with the design allowing for expansion to roughly 55,000 seats.
Why is it called McLane Stadium?
The venue was renamed from Baylor Stadium to McLane Stadium in December 2013 in honor of Drayton McLane Jr., a Baylor alumnus who gave the lead gift for its construction.
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Photo: Djyueng / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.