Lambeau Field facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lambeau Field

The Frozen Tundra Titletown USA The Shrine of Pro Football
Lambeau Field Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Lambeau Field Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	City Stadium (1957–1964) (renamed August 3, 1965)
Address	1265 Lombardi Avenue
Location	Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Coordinates	44°30′5″N 88°3′44″W / 44.50139°N 88.06222°W / 44.50139; -88.06222
Public transit	Green Bay Metro
Owner	City of Green Bay
Executive suites	168
Capacity	81,441
Record attendance	79,704 (January 11, 2015)
Surface	GrassMaster
Construction
Broke ground	October 11, 1956
Opened	September 29, 1957; 67 years ago (1957-09-29)
Renovated	2001–2003, 2012–2015, 2023
Expanded	1961, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2003, 2013, 2023
Construction cost	$960,000 ($10 million in 2022 ) $295 million (2003 renovation) ($469 million in 2022 )
Architect	Somerville Associates Ellerbe Becket (2003 renovation)
General contractor	Geo. M. Hougard & Sons
Tenants
Green Bay Packers (NFL) (1957–present)

Lambeau Field is a famous outdoor stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is the home field for the Green Bay Packers, a team in the National Football League (NFL). The stadium first opened in 1957 and was called City Stadium. It replaced an older stadium where the Packers used to play. In 1965, it was renamed Lambeau Field to honor Curly Lambeau, who founded the Packers, played for them, and coached them for many years.

With seats for 81,441 fans, Lambeau Field is the second-largest stadium in the NFL. It is also the biggest sports venue in Wisconsin. The field runs from north to south and is about 640 feet above sea level.

Lambeau Field is special because it is the oldest NFL stadium that has been used continuously by the same team. The Packers have played there for over 68 seasons. Only a few other professional sports teams in the U.S. have played in their home stadiums for longer.

The stadium's address is 1265 Lombardi Avenue. This street was renamed in 1968 to honor former head coach Vince Lombardi. He is the namesake of the Super Bowl championship trophy. Next to Lambeau Field is the Titletown District, a fun area with hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment.

History of Lambeau Field

Why the Packers Needed a New Stadium

Before Lambeau Field, the Packers played at a smaller stadium called City Stadium. It was built mostly of wood and was located behind a high school. By the 1950s, this stadium was too old and small for an NFL team. It couldn't be made bigger because of where it was located.

Other NFL team owners told the Packers they needed a new, modern stadium. Otherwise, the team might have to move to a bigger city like Milwaukee. So, in 1955, the Packers announced plans for a new stadium in Green Bay.

Building a Modern Home for Football

In 1956, people in Green Bay voted to help pay for the new stadium. It cost about $960,000 to build in 1957. The new stadium was special because it was the first one built just for an NFL team. Other teams at the time shared their stadiums with baseball teams or used older facilities.

The new stadium was built on land that had a natural slope, which was perfect for creating its bowl shape. It also had plenty of space for parking. The stadium, first called "New City Stadium," opened on September 29, 1957. The Packers won their first game there against the Chicago Bears. The Vice President of the United States, Richard Nixon, even helped dedicate the stadium at halftime.

For many years, the Packers also played some games in Milwaukee. But after Lambeau Field was expanded, the team started playing all its home games in Green Bay. Fans who used to have tickets in Milwaukee now get special "Gold package" tickets for some games each season.

Growing the Stadium: Expansions Over the Years

After coach Vince Lombardi joined the team in 1959, more and more fans wanted to see the Packers play. So, the stadium was expanded many times. Just four years after it opened in 1957, its seating capacity grew from 32,500 to 38,669 in 1961.

Over the next few decades, more seats were added. By 1970, the stadium became a continuous oval shape, holding 56,263 fans. In the 1980s and 1990s, luxury boxes and club seats were added, bringing the capacity to over 60,000.

A Big Renovation for a Modern Era

By the late 1990s, the Packers decided Lambeau Field needed a major update to stay competitive. Instead of building a brand new stadium, they chose to renovate the existing one. This huge project cost $295 million and was finished in 2003.

The renovation updated the facilities and added more premium seating. But it was designed to keep the stadium's classic bowl shape and its famous natural grass field. The project increased the capacity to 72,515. Even with all these new seats, tickets are still hard to get! The Packers have sold out every game since 1960, and there are over 150,000 names on the waiting list.

In 2007, fans voted Lambeau Field the number one NFL stadium for its game-day atmosphere.

Adding More Seats and Cool Features

In 2010, the Packers announced plans for new high-definition scoreboards and a better sound system. These plans grew to include adding about 7,500 more seats in the south end zone. These new seats even have heated areas to melt snow as it falls! This helps with the challenge of clearing snow from the stadium during winter games.

The new sound system was ready for the 2011 season. By the summer of 2013, the south end zone expansion was complete, making Lambeau the third-largest stadium in the NFL at the time, with a capacity of 80,750. New tower gates and a rooftop viewing terrace were also added.

Updating the Atrium Entrance

From 2013 to 2015, Lambeau Field underwent another big renovation project. This one focused on the Lambeau Atrium entrance. The Pro Shop, where fans buy team gear, moved to a new ground level. The Packers Hall of Fame also moved to the second floor of the atrium. A new restaurant, 1919 Kitchen & Tap, opened where the Pro Shop used to be.

This renovation made it easier for fans to enter the stadium and find their way around. It also included new facilities for the players, like strength training rooms. In 2014, a 50-foot-tall replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy was unveiled on the east side of the stadium. In 2018, the stadium's lights were upgraded to energy-efficient LED lights.

Lambeau Field Atrium

The Lambeau Field Atrium is a large, modern area at the stadium's entrance. It's home to the Green Bay Packers Pro Shop, the Packers Hall of Fame, and the 1919 Kitchen & Tap restaurant. It's also a popular place for special events like weddings and meetings.

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is located on the first level of the Atrium. It's a special place that celebrates the history of the Green Bay Packers. Since 1970, many great Packers players have been honored here. Over 170,000 people visit the Hall of Fame each year.

Titletown District

The Titletown District is a new area built just west of Lambeau Field. It opened in 2017 and includes a hotel, a sports medicine clinic, restaurants, and a brewery. There are also plans for more shops, offices, and homes. It's a fun place for fans and visitors to enjoy before or after games.

Packers Home Record at Lambeau

As of the end of the 2024 season, the Packers have a great record at Lambeau Field. They have won 264 regular-season games, lost 133, and tied 6. Their playoff record at home is 18 wins and 7 losses.

The Denver Broncos are the only NFL team that has never won a regular-season game at Lambeau Field.

Name and Nicknames

New City Stadium

When it first opened, Lambeau Field was officially called "City Stadium." People often called it "New City Stadium" to tell it apart from the older stadium. This name was used until the 1964 season.

Lambeau Field

On August 3, 1965, the Green Bay city council renamed the stadium "Lambeau Field." This was done to honor Curly Lambeau, who had passed away two months earlier. Curly Lambeau founded the Packers in 1919 and coached the team for 31 seasons. He led the Packers to six NFL championships. He was also one of the first people inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Corporate Naming Rights

In 2000, people in Brown County voted on whether to sell the naming rights to the stadium. This would have helped pay off the construction costs faster. The vote passed, but the Packers have always said they prefer to keep the traditional name, Lambeau Field. They want to honor the team's founder.

Instead, the Packers have sold naming rights to the eight entrance gates around the stadium. Each gate is named after a different company. For example, there's the Miller Brewing gate and the American Family Insurance gate.

Packers President Mark Murphy stated in 2015 that the stadium's name would never be sold. "It will always be Lambeau Field," he said.

"The Frozen Tundra"

Lambeau Field earned its famous nickname, "The Frozen Tundra," after a legendary game called the Ice Bowl. This game was played on December 31, 1967, between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. The temperature was a freezing -15 degrees Fahrenheit, with strong winds.

A sports writer used the term "tundra" to describe the field in his article. Even though the stadium had an underground heating system, it couldn't stop the field from freezing in such extreme cold. The field's video screens are even called "Tundra Vision" because of this famous nickname!

Titletown, USA

"Titletown, USA" is a nickname for the city of Green Bay, but it's also closely linked to Lambeau Field. This nickname became popular in 1961, even before Coach Lombardi won his first championships. Fans hung signs saying "Welcome to Titletown, USA" at a championship game.

The Packers have won many championships, making Green Bay truly "Titletown." Lambeau Field has been home to seven NFL championship seasons.

Postseason Games

Lambeau Field often gives the Packers a big advantage in playoff games. These games are usually played in the cold Wisconsin winter. The most famous example is the "Ice Bowl" game. In other playoff games, visiting teams have struggled with the cold and muddy conditions.

From 1957 until 2003, the Packers had never lost a playoff game at Lambeau Field. While their recent playoff record at home is more mixed, their overall home postseason record is still very strong. The stadium has hosted six championship games, including three NFL title games and three NFC Championship Games.

Traditions

The Lambeau Leap

James Starks doing the "Lambeau Leap"

One of the most exciting traditions at Lambeau Field is the Lambeau Leap. After scoring a touchdown, many Packers players jump into the stands to celebrate with the fans. This tradition started in 1993 when safety LeRoy Butler scored a touchdown and spontaneously jumped into the stands. Wide receiver Robert Brooks later made it very popular.

The NFL has rules against excessive celebrations, but the Lambeau Leap was allowed to continue because it was already a long-standing tradition. Sometimes, visiting players try to do a Lambeau Leap, but Packers fans often stop them!

In 2014, a statue was built outside Lambeau Field to honor the Lambeau Leap. It has a replica of the end zone wall and statues of four fans, so visitors can take pictures pretending to do their own leap.

Special Events

Lambeau Field is mostly used for football, but it also hosts other fun events.

Packers Shareholders Meeting

The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL team owned by its fans. With over 112,000 owners, a large place is needed for their annual meeting. Since 2006, this meeting has been held at Lambeau Field, with thousands of shareholders attending.

High School and College Football

Lambeau Field has also hosted high school and college football games. In 2016, it hosted its first major college game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the LSU Tigers. The Badgers won in an exciting upset!

Hockey

Lambeau Field hosting its first hockey game.

In 2006, Lambeau Field hosted its first outdoor hockey game, called the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic. The Wisconsin Badgers played against the Ohio State Buckeyes on a temporary rink built inside the stadium. The Badgers won, and even did a "Lambeau Leap" after their victory!

Snowmobile Racing

Lambeau Field has even hosted snowmobile racing events. In 2005, the races took place right on the stadium's grass, covered with plenty of snow.

Concerts

While it's mainly a football stadium, Lambeau Field has hosted several concerts. Famous artists like Kenny Chesney, Billy Joel, and Paul McCartney have performed there.

Other Events

• In 1976, comedian Bob Hope performed at Lambeau Field.
• In 2022, a friendly soccer match was held between two famous European teams, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
• For many years, Lambeau hosted a popular annual Fourth of July fireworks show.

Seating Capacity Over the Years

Lambeau Field is the second-largest stadium in the NFL by how many people it can seat.

Sustainability Efforts

The Green Bay Packers are working to make Lambeau Field more environmentally friendly. They use more recycling bins and biodegradable food containers. They have also upgraded to energy-efficient LED lighting. The stadium uses special boilers for heating and melting snow, and efficient chillers for air conditioning.

Images for kids

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  Lambeau Field in October 2004 during a game versus the New York Giants

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  The renovated Lambeau Field in December 2003

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  View of Lambeau Field from the South end zone

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  A statue of Curly Lambeau stands near the main entrance

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  An empty Lambeau Field.

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  The Atrium inside Lambeau Field

See also

In Spanish: Lambeau Field para niños