Ross–Ade Stadium has served as the home of Purdue Boilermakers football in West Lafayette, Indiana, since it opened on November 22, 1924. The stadium takes its name from Purdue alumni David E. Ross and George Ade, who purchased the 65-acre site and helped fund the venue’s original construction.
What began as a modest facility seating roughly 13,500 fans plus standing room has grown through decades of expansions and renovations into a modern Big Ten venue. A $45.4 million ‘Your Ross-Ade’ project completed in 2023 added new seating in the south end zone, bringing current capacity to about 61,441.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Purdue Boilermakers (NCAA FBS, Big Ten Conference)
- Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
- Opened: November 22, 1924
- Capacity: About 61,441 (as of 2023)
- Surface: Bermuda grass
- Notable fact: Named for donors David E. Ross and George Ade, who funded the original stadium
A Century of Boilermaker Football
Ross-Ade Stadium opened in 1924 as one of the first college stadiums funded largely through private donations rather than university or state money, a legacy reflected in its name honoring benefactors David Ross and George Ade. Over the following century it has undergone repeated expansions, moving from its original capacity of around 13,500 seats to today’s figure near 61,441.
The stadium’s largest recorded crowd came on November 22, 1980, when 71,629 fans packed the venue for Purdue’s rivalry game against Indiana, a mark that reflects how temporary seating once pushed attendance well above the stadium’s listed capacity in earlier eras.
Recent Renovations
Purdue installed permanent stadium lighting in 2017 for about $5.6 million, ending decades of reliance on temporary lights for night games. The most significant recent change came from the 2022-2023 ‘Your Ross-Ade’ project, a $45.4 million renovation that added roughly 4,500 seats in the south end zone along with new premium seating and the Tiller Tunnel connecting the stadium to Purdue’s football operations facility.
These upgrades modernized a stadium that has remained on essentially the same footprint since 1924, balancing preservation of its century-old character with the amenities expected of a contemporary Big Ten football venue.
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Ross–Ade Stadium FAQs
What is the capacity of Ross-Ade Stadium?
Ross-Ade Stadium seats about 61,441 fans, a figure reached after a renovation completed in 2023 added roughly 4,500 seats in the south end zone.
When did Ross-Ade Stadium open?
The stadium opened on November 22, 1924, and has hosted Purdue Boilermakers football ever since.
Why is it called Ross-Ade Stadium?
The stadium is named for Purdue alumni David E. Ross and George Ade, who purchased the land for the site and provided financial support that helped fund its construction.
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Photo: Lectrician2 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.