Michie Stadium has been the home of Army Black Knights football since it opened on October 4, 1924, when the Black Knights beat Saint Louis 17-0 to christen the new field. Built on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, the stadium was named for Dennis Michie, the cadet who organized Army’s first football game back in 1890.
What sets Michie Stadium apart from nearly every other college football venue is its setting: the stands overlook the Hudson River and the Academy’s Neo-Gothic campus, a view that once earned it a spot among Sports Illustrated’s top sports venues of the 20th century. More than a century after it opened, the stadium remains in active use, having just come through a multi-year renovation of its East Stands.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Army Black Knights football
- Location: West Point, New York
- Opened: October 4, 1924
- Capacity: about 36,000 (post-renovation)
- Playing surface: FieldTurf
- Notable fact: Ranked among Sports Illustrated’s top 20th-century sports venues
A Field Named for a Cadet
Michie Stadium honors Dennis Michie, an Army cadet who organized the academy’s first-ever football game in 1890 and died a few years later in the Spanish-American War. The playing field itself carries a second name, Blaik Field, added in 1999 to recognize longtime coach Earl ‘Red’ Blaik, who led Army to three consecutive national championships from 1944 to 1946.
The stadium has also stepped outside its usual role as Army’s home field. It hosted the Army-Navy Game in 1943 during World War II, and the rivalry returned there in 2020 when COVID-19 attendance restrictions forced the game away from its usual larger neutral-site venues.
A Modern Preservation Project
Starting in April 2024, Michie Stadium underwent a major preservation project that replaced its aging East Stands with a new structure, adding suites, loge boxes, and club seating while temporarily trimming capacity to around 30,000 during construction. The project is set to be ready before the 2026 season, with capacity restored to roughly 36,000, keeping the Corps of Cadets’ seating section stretching from end zone to end zone, directly in view of the Hudson River backdrop that has defined the stadium since 1924.
Explore more: More Legendary Stadiums.
Michie Stadium FAQs
When did Michie Stadium open?
Michie Stadium opened on October 4, 1924, with Army defeating Saint Louis 17-0 in the first game played there.
Who is Michie Stadium named after?
It’s named for Dennis Michie, the Army cadet who organized the school’s first football game in 1890 and later died in the Spanish-American War.
What is Michie Stadium’s capacity?
Following a 2024-2026 renovation of its East Stands, Michie Stadium is set to hold about 36,000 fans, close to its earlier capacity of roughly 38,000.
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Photo: John Pellino / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.