Tampa Stadium, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Big Sombrero’ for its distinctive wide-overhanging upper deck, stood at 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, Florida from 1967 to 1999. Built for approximately $4.4 million and opened on November 4, 1967, with an original capacity of 46,481, the open-air stadium became the undisputed centerpiece of Tampa Bay sports for more than three decades.
After a major expansion in 1974–75 that enclosed the open end zones and pushed capacity to 74,301, the stadium became home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the franchise’s inaugural 1976 NFL season through 1997. It also hosted the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits, and MLS’s Tampa Bay Mutiny, making it one of the most multi-purpose venues of its era before demolition was completed on April 11, 1999.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida
- Opened: November 4, 1967
- Closed: September 13, 1998
- Demolished: April 11, 1999
- Original Capacity: 46,481
- Final Capacity: 74,301
- Primary Tenant: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL, 1976–1997)
- Super Bowls Hosted: Super Bowl XVIII (1984) and Super Bowl XXV (1991)
From the Big Sombrero to Super Bowl Host
Tampa Stadium earned its beloved nickname from its dramatic overhanging upper-deck design, which gave the bowl a wide-brimmed silhouette when viewed from outside or from the air. The stadium hosted Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984, when the Los Angeles Raiders routed the Washington Redskins 38–9. Seven years later, Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991, produced one of the most memorable finishes in championship history, with the New York Giants edging the Buffalo Bills 20–19 on a missed Scott Norwood field goal in the final seconds.
Beyond football, the venue made rock history on May 5, 1973, when Led Zeppelin drew nearly 57,000 fans — a then-record for a single-artist concert performance. The show demonstrated the stadium’s appeal as a major entertainment hub well beyond its sporting role, cementing its place in Tampa cultural history.
Demolition and Legacy
Construction of Raymond James Stadium began just south of Tampa Stadium in October 1996, and as the new venue neared completion the old stadium’s days were numbered. The Buccaneers played their final game at Tampa Stadium in 1997, and the facility officially closed on September 13, 1998. Demolition wrapped up on April 11, 1999, with the cleared land repurposed for parking serving the new stadium next door.
Although no trace of The Big Sombrero remains, its legacy endures in Tampa Bay sports lore. It gave the region its first NFL franchise home, delivered two Super Bowl spectacles, and served generations of fans across football, soccer, and live music over more than thirty years of operation.
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Tampa Stadium FAQs
Why was Tampa Stadium called ‘The Big Sombrero’?
The nickname came from the stadium’s distinctive design featuring a wide overhanging upper deck that gave the entire structure the silhouette of a large sombrero when viewed from outside or from the air.
Which Super Bowls were played at Tampa Stadium?
Tampa Stadium hosted Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984 — Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9 — and Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991, where the New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20–19.
When was Tampa Stadium torn down?
Tampa Stadium officially closed on September 13, 1998, and demolition was completed by April 11, 1999. The site was cleared to provide additional parking for the nearby Raymond James Stadium.
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Photo: “zeng8r” / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.