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Lambeau Field Preview
Venerable
Lambeau Field, now the longest tenured NFL stadium,
now is in its fourth decade of operation. Having undergone
a number of major alterations in its 45 years of existence,
including numerous seating additions to reach its current
capacity of 60,790, the facility has become one of the
most recognized and envied venues in all of professional
sports. |
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Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers for
more than 40 years is one of the NFL's most
historical stadiums. From the team's inception in
the 1920's until 1952, the Packers played at East
(old City) Stadium. After the 1952 season, the team
moved into the new County Stadium in Milwaukee, that
also became home of the Milwaukee Braves (MLB), and
later the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1956, a bond was
approved allowing construction of a new football
stadium in Green Bay. Named City Stadium, the
facility was completed in just one year. The Packers
played their first game at City Stadium on September
29, 1957. City Stadium had a capacity of around
32,000 when it opened. The Packers did not play all
of their home games at City Stadium. They played
several games each season at County Stadium until
1994.
Since its opening in 1957, the stadium has underwent
many additions. By 1961, City Stadiums' capacity was
increased to over 38,000. Two years later the
capacity was once again increased to over 42,000. In
1965, City Stadium was renamed Lambeau Field, after
the death of the Packers founder, E.L. Lambeau.
During the same year the capacity was increased to
50,852. Once this addition was completed, Lambeau
Field got its basic shape. The entire field was
enclosed by seats. In 1985, 72 luxury suites were
added along with additional seating areas, bringing
the capacity to over 56,000. Again in 1990, 80 more
luxury suites were added along with over 1,900 club
seats along the top rim of the stadium. In 1993, the
first video/scoreboard was installed above the south
endzone; and in 1995, the final addition in capacity
came when 90 more luxury suites were added.
Throughout these additions to Lambeau Field, the
stadium has become one of the NFL's recognizable
stadiums. Today, Lambeau Field has a capacity of
over 60,000. One tier of bleacher seats circle the
entire field. The luxury boxes, club seats, and
press boxes, are atop the stadium rim.
Instead of opting to build a new stadium, the
Packers announced in January of 2000, that they
would extensively renovate and expand Lambeau Field.
Between 2001 and the start of the 2003 season,
Lambeau Field underwent many improvements to make it
more fan and player friendly. The main concourse was
expanded, a new upper concourse was added with ramps
and elevators, and more restrooms were added. In
addition, around 12,000 seats were added along the
top of the stadium. This includes club seats and new
luxury suites. An atrium, known as "Titletown" was
built as part of the new facade of Lambeau Field.
Here fans find a Packers Hall of Fame and a team
store. A new Packers locker room, football
operations facility, and administrative offices were
also constructed. All the renovations to Lambeau
Field were completed in time for the start of the
2003 season.
Over its 40 years of existence, Lambeau Field has
been the site of many historical moments including
the first NFL Championship game in Green Bay in 1961
and the "Ice Bowl" in December of 1967, when the
temperature was 13 degrees.
Some Green Bay Packers history: The Packers
predate the NFL. The team was founded in Green Bay
on August 11, 1919, by two young players, George
Calhoun and Curly Lambeau. The Indian Packing Plant,
Lambeau's employer, donated uniforms and the use of
an athletic field. During the team's first season in
1920, players earned their salaries by passing hats
among spectators
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