🏛 Historic Stadium
Riverfront Stadium rose along the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, opening on June 30, 1970, and quickly becoming one of professional sports’ most storied addresses. Built at a cost of roughly $50 million, the circular concrete bowl seated more than 52,000 for baseball and close to 60,000 for football, serving as the shared home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals for most of its 32-year run.
During its lifespan the stadium witnessed some of the most celebrated moments in American sports history, including the dynastic ‘Big Red Machine’ Reds squads that claimed World Series titles in 1975 and 1976, a third championship in 1990, and a string of individual milestones that cemented the venue’s place in the record books. Renamed Cinergy Field in September 1996 after a corporate sponsorship deal, the stadium was demolished by implosion on December 29, 2002, clearing the riverfront for Great American Ball Park.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds (MLB, 1970–2002), Cincinnati Bengals (NFL, 1970–1999)
- Location: 201 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Opened: June 30, 1970
- Renamed: Cinergy Field (September 1996)
- Final game: September 22, 2002
- Demolished: December 29, 2002
- Capacity (baseball): 52,952
- Capacity (football): about 60,000
- Construction cost: ~$50 million
A Venue Built for Record Books
Riverfront Stadium accumulated milestones at an extraordinary pace. On April 4, 1974, Hank Aaron slugged his 714th career home run there, tying Babe Ruth’s longstanding record before breaking it four days later in Atlanta. Eleven years later, on September 11, 1985, Pete Rose collected his 4,192nd career hit at Riverfront, surpassing Ty Cobb’s all-time record before a roaring home crowd. The stadium also hosted MLB All-Star Games in 1970 and 1988; the 1970 edition is best remembered for the jarring collision at home plate between Pete Rose and Indians catcher Ray Fosse, a play replayed countless times since. Pitcher Tom Browning added to the venue’s legend on September 16, 1988, throwing a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The stadium’s football history was equally dramatic. On January 10, 1982, the Bengals hosted the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship with temperatures at −9°F and a wind chill of −37°F — a game forever known as ‘the Freezer Bowl’ and one of the coldest contests in NFL history. Cincinnati won and advanced to Super Bowl XVI.
Decline, Renaming, and Demolition
By the mid-1990s the stadium’s cookie-cutter multipurpose design had fallen out of favor as both the Reds and Bengals pressed for dedicated facilities. The venue was rebranded Cinergy Field in September 1996 under a naming-rights deal with regional energy company Cinergy. The Bengals departed after the 1999 season for the new Paul Brown Stadium, and seating capacity was reduced to around 39,000 in 2001 to ease the Reds’ final transition.
The Reds played their last game at the stadium on September 22, 2002, closing 32 years of history. On December 29, 2002, approximately 1,275 pounds of dynamite reduced the structure to roughly 100,000 cubic yards of rubble in just 37 seconds. The cleared site was incorporated into the footprint surrounding Great American Ball Park, which opened across the street on March 31, 2003.
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Riverfront Stadium FAQs
When did Riverfront Stadium open and close?
Riverfront Stadium opened on June 30, 1970, and hosted its final game on September 22, 2002. It was demolished by implosion on December 29, 2002.
What teams played at Riverfront Stadium?
The Cincinnati Reds (MLB, 1970–2002) and Cincinnati Bengals (NFL, 1970–1999) were the primary tenants. The Bengals moved to Paul Brown Stadium for the 2000 season; the Reds played out their final two seasons at the renamed Cinergy Field before shifting to Great American Ball Park.
What was the ‘Freezer Bowl’ played at Riverfront Stadium?
The Freezer Bowl was the AFC Championship game played on January 10, 1982, at Riverfront Stadium with a game-time temperature of −9°F and a −37°F wind chill — among the coldest games in NFL history. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Diego Chargers and advanced to Super Bowl XVI.
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Photo: Flickr user Brent NAshville / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.