SECU Stadium is where the Maryland Terrapins play football and men’s lacrosse, tucked into the University of Maryland’s College Park campus just outside Washington, D.C. The sunken bowl has hosted games since 1950 and has carried four different names along the way, but the bones of the stadium — close sightlines, a packed student section, and a reputation as one of college lacrosse’s great venues — have stayed the same.
Whether you’re trying to figure out how many seats are left after the 2025 renovation, where to park on gameday, or why the stadium isn’t called Byrd Stadium anymore, this guide covers the practical details and the history in one place.
Quick Answer
SECU Stadium holds about 46,185 fans as of the 2025 season (down from 51,802 after lower-level seats were widened), sits at 90 Stadium Drive on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, and is the home of Maryland Terrapins football and men’s lacrosse. It opened in 1950 as Byrd Stadium and has been SECU Stadium since October 2022 under a 10-year naming-rights deal.
Capacity and Seating Chart
Capacity has moved around more than at most college stadiums. It opened in 1950 holding roughly 34,680, grew through decks and sideline additions over the following decades, and peaked above 51,000 before a 2025 renovation widened lower-level seats, added handrails, and improved accessibility — trimming capacity to about 46,185, the lowest it’s been since the north upper deck went up in 1995.
The seating bowl is split into a lower level close to the field, a mezzanine/club level with wider seatbacks and covered sightlines, and upper-deck sections (the 200s and 300s) that run along both sidelines. Because the lower bowl is relatively tight to the field, even upper-deck seats stay closer to the action than at many Big Ten stadiums. For a visual breakdown of specific sections before buying tickets, interactive seating charts are available through major ticket marketplaces.
Getting There and Parking
SECU Stadium is located at 90 Stadium Drive, College Park, Maryland, on the east side of the University of Maryland campus, a short drive from the Beltway (I-495) and easily reached from Washington, D.C. or Baltimore.
Unlike a regular campus day, football gamedays require a parking permit in designated lots and garages near the stadium — meters being off doesn’t mean parking is free. Permits are sold in tiers based on the opponent: pre-purchased permits run roughly $25-$50, while on-site permits (sold first-come, first-served while space remains) run roughly $30-$60. Buying ahead is the cheaper and more reliable option, since on-site lots can sell out before kickoff for marquee games. Shuttle service from remote lots is sometimes offered for high-demand games — check the university’s transportation services page for the current year’s exact lot assignments and prices before you go.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets are sold in tiers that scale with the opponent and seat location: end-zone and upper-deck seats are the most affordable, while lower-bowl sideline seats and club/mezzanine seating command the highest prices, especially for rivalry games and marquee Big Ten matchups.
The official source for single-game tickets, season packages, and current pricing is the University of Maryland Athletics tickets page, which routes to the school’s authorized ticketing platform. Secondary marketplaces also list SECU Stadium inventory if the official allotment sells out, though prices there fluctuate with demand rather than following a fixed tier.
Bag Policy and Gameday Rules
SECU Stadium enforces a clear-bag policy similar to most major college and pro venues. Allowed bags are limited to clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than roughly 12″ x 6″ x 12″, one-gallon clear plastic freezer (Ziploc-style) bags, and small clutch bags up to about 4.5″ x 6.5″, with or without a strap. Purses, backpacks, non-clear drawstring bags, briefcases, coolers, fanny packs, luggage, and camera or binocular cases are not permitted inside.
Gates typically open a set number of hours before kickoff, with exact times varying by sport and opponent. Because policies are refreshed each season, confirm current bag rules and gate times on the official Maryland Terrapins athletics site before heading to campus.
The Ride Experience
Fans entering SECU Stadium find a compact, sunken-bowl layout that keeps most seats close to the field, a design that has stayed largely intact through decades of expansion. The stadium has hosted the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship ten times, reflecting Maryland’s status as a lacrosse power alongside its football program.
Major upgrades over the years included the 1991 addition of Tyser Tower for suites and press facilities, a 1995 upper-deck expansion, and a $50.8 million project completed in 2009 that added premium seating and modernized concourses. A large videoboard installed in 2021 updated the in-game presentation ahead of the SECU naming deal, and the 2025 seating renovation widened lower-bowl rows for more legroom and better accessibility.
A Name Shaped by History
The stadium’s naming history mirrors debates on college campuses nationwide about honoring historical figures. It opened in 1950 as Byrd Stadium, named for former coach and university president Harry “Curley” Byrd. After students and faculty raised concerns about Byrd’s opposition to integration during his 1936-1954 presidency, the university’s board voted 12-5 in 2015 to strip his name, temporarily calling the venue Maryland Stadium. Along the way it also carried the names Chevy Chase Bank Field and Capital One Field under earlier sponsorship deals.
In 2022, Maryland Athletics struck a 10-year, $11 million agreement with SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, and the stadium debuted its current name on October 1, 2022. The Baltimore Stars of the USFL also called the stadium home for the 1985 season, and it set its attendance record of 58,973 on November 1, 1975, for a game against Penn State.
Photos
USB-charged warmers for cold night games — no disposable packets.
Keeps chili hot from the tailgate to the fourth quarter.
Team-color face paint in a twist-up stick — no brushes, no mess in the car.
SECU Stadium FAQs
How many people does SECU Stadium hold?
SECU Stadium’s capacity is about 46,185 as of the 2025 season, down from 51,802 after lower-level seats were widened and accessibility features were added.
Where is SECU Stadium located?
SECU Stadium is at 90 Stadium Drive on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Maryland, a short drive from Washington, D.C. and the Beltway.
Where can I buy official SECU Stadium tickets?
Single-game and season tickets for Maryland Terrapins football and lacrosse are sold through the University of Maryland Athletics tickets page, which links to the school’s authorized ticketing partner.
Is there a bag policy at SECU Stadium?
Yes. SECU Stadium allows only small clear bags, one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, and small clutch bags; backpacks, purses, coolers, and non-clear bags are prohibited.
Where should I park for a game at SECU Stadium?
Football games require a gameday parking permit in designated lots and garages near the stadium. Pre-purchased permits run roughly $25-$50 depending on the opponent, while on-site permits run roughly $30-$60 and are sold while space remains. Buying ahead and arriving early is the safer bet for big games.
Why is SECU Stadium no longer called Byrd Stadium?
The University of Maryland’s board voted in 2015 to remove the Byrd Stadium name because former president Curley Byrd opposed integration during his tenure.
When did SECU Stadium open?
The stadium opened on September 30, 1950, originally as Byrd Stadium, and has been known as SECU Stadium since October 2022.
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