Levi's Stadium facts for kids
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Field of Jeans
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Levi's Stadium in February 2016
prior to Super Bowl 50 |
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 Levi's Stadium
Location in San Jose, California
Levi's Stadium
Location in California
Levi's Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Address | 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way |
|---|---|
| Location | Santa Clara, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 37°24′11″N 121°58′12″W / 37.403°N 121.970°W |
| Owner | Santa Clara Stadium Authority |
| Operator | Forty Niners Football Company LLC |
| Executive suites | 174 |
| Capacity | 68,500 |
| Record attendance | 80,058 (Ed Sheeran +–=÷× Tour, September 16, 2023) |
| Surface | Bermuda grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 19, 2012 |
| Opened | July 17, 2014 |
| Construction cost | $1.3 billion (est)($1.61 billion in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | HNTB |
| Project manager | Hatheway Consulting LLC. |
| General contractor | Turner/Devcon JV |
| Tenants | |
| San Francisco 49ers (NFL) 2014–present San Francisco Bowl (NCAA) 2014–2019 |
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Levi's Stadium, also known as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is a large sports venue in Santa Clara, California, United States. It is located near San Jose in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2014, it has been the home field for the San Francisco 49ers, a team in the National Football League (NFL).
The stadium is about 40 miles (64 km) south of San Francisco. It got its name from Levi Strauss & Co., a famous clothing company that bought the naming rights in 2013.
In 2006, the 49ers team first thought about building a new stadium in San Francisco. This plan included new shops and homes for nearby areas that needed improvement. However, talks with the city of San Francisco did not work out. So, the 49ers decided to build the stadium next to their offices and training area in Santa Clara.
In June 2010, voters in Santa Clara approved a plan to create a special group called the Santa Clara Stadium Authority. This group was set up to build and own the new football stadium. The city leased land to this authority. Construction began in April 2012 after a loan from private investors was secured. Levi's Stadium officially opened its doors on July 17, 2014.
Levi's Stadium hosted the Pac-12 Football Championship Game from 2014 to 2019. It also hosted WWE's WrestleMania 31 on March 29, 2015. The stadium was the site of Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, and Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. It also hosted the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. The stadium is currently hosting several matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Stadium Design and Features
The architectural firm HNTB designed Levi's Stadium. They focused on making it a multi-purpose venue. Key goals were a great fan experience and using green technology.
Main Stadium Features
Levi's Stadium is an open-air stadium with a natural grass field. It can seat 68,500 people. For big events like the Super Bowl or FIFA World Cup, it can expand to hold about 75,000 fans. On September 16, 2023, an Ed Sheeran concert set a record with almost 80,000 attendees.
The stadium's design places about two-thirds of the fans in the lower seating area. This is one of the largest lower bowls in the NFL. It offers much better access and seating for fans with special needs compared to the old Candlestick Park. Most of the special luxury suites are on one side of the field. This design helps fans in the upper seats feel closer to the action.
The stadium can be set up for many different events. These include concerts, motocross, conferences, and community gatherings. It also meets FIFA rules for international soccer fields. This allows it to host major soccer tournaments like the FIFA World Cup. The stadium also has over 109,000 square feet (10,126 m2) of flexible meeting space.
Challenges with the Field
The stadium has had some issues with its grass field. For example, the grass sometimes gave way during games. This led to worries about whether the field was good enough for important games like the Super Bowl. After Super Bowl 50, some players mentioned that the field's footing was difficult.
Eco-Friendly Design
Levi's Stadium is known for being very environmentally friendly. It is one of the largest buildings registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. It was also one of the first stadiums to have both a green roof and solar panels. The 49ers team has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency on many green features.
These features include:
- Using experts to check that energy systems work correctly.
- Encouraging public transportation like VTA, ACE, and Amtrak.
- Having a green roof (about 27,000 square feet) and solar panels (about 20,000 square feet).
- Using special materials for paving and roofing that reflect sunlight.
- Recycling water for landscaping, toilets, and urinals.
- Using refrigerants in cooling systems that are better for the ozone layer.
- Monitoring systems to check how well ventilation works.
- Recycling 75% of non-hazardous construction waste.
- Using smart lighting and temperature control systems.
Levi's Stadium earned a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certificate. It was the first professional football stadium in the United States to get this award for new construction.
Rooftop Farm: The Faithful Farm
In July 2016, Levi's Stadium turned 6,500 square feet (604 m2) of its green roof into an organic rooftop farm. This farm is called the Faithful Farm, named after the 49ers' loyal fans. The idea came from team CEO Jed York and his wife, Danielle York. Danielle, a former science teacher, wanted a space to help the stadium meet its sustainability goals.
Farmscape experts worked with the 49ers to create this farm, which was the first rooftop farm on an NFL stadium. They grow about 40 different crops, including herbs, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and edible flowers. These fresh ingredients are used in dishes served at the stadium's club areas during games and at over 200 private events each year. By 2019, the farm was expanding to add another 6,500 square feet (604 m2).
Getting to the Stadium
Levi's Stadium is easy to reach by different types of transportation.
Public Transportation Options
| Station name | Agency name |
|---|---|
| Great America | VTA Light Rail |
| Santa Clara - Great America | ACE |
| Amtrak |
Fans can ride VTA light rail (Valley Transportation Authority) to the stadium. The closest light rail stop is Great America station, located right next to the stadium.
Other options include the VTA Lick Mill station and the Amtrak and ACE Santa Clara–Great America station. VTA also offers special shuttle buses to the stadium from the Warm Springs BART station.
Walking and Bicycling Paths
Levi's Stadium was built next to the San Tomas Aquino Trail. This paved path connects to a 100-mile (160 km) network of off-street trails, including the San Francisco Bay Trail. This makes it easy for people to walk or bike to events.
Driving and Parking
The stadium's main entrance is on Marie P DeBartolo Way. The main road to the stadium is Tasman Drive, which runs along its north side. Tasman Drive connects to major freeways like Interstate 880 and U.S. Route 101.
Parking Solutions
In November 2013, stadium officials worried about parking for weekday games. However, in January 2014, the city of Santa Clara approved using the Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club fairways for parking. This added over 21,000 parking spots, making a total of 31,600 spaces. This meant that tailgating and weeknight games became possible. Parking prices at Levi's Stadium increased to $40 from $30 at the old stadium.
The nearby city of Mountain View set a three-hour parking limit on downtown streets during game days. This was to manage traffic from stadium visitors.
Naming Rights
On May 8, 2013, the 49ers announced that Levi Strauss & Co. bought the rights to name the new stadium. Levi's agreed to pay $220.3 million to the city of Santa Clara and the 49ers over 20 years. They also have an option to extend the deal for another five years.
Stadium History and Construction
The 49ers had been trying to build a new stadium since 1997. Early plans for a stadium in San Francisco did not work out due to various challenges.
Moving to Santa Clara
After difficulties in San Francisco, the 49ers decided to focus on Santa Clara. This city was already home to the team's offices and training facility since 1987. Santa Clara city leaders were very open to the idea of a new stadium. In June 2009, the city council agreed to initial terms for the project. The agreement stated that the team would still be called the San Francisco 49ers.
Oakland Raiders as Possible Co-Tenants
There was a chance that the Oakland Raiders might share Levi's Stadium. This would have allowed the costs to be split between the two teams. The stadium was designed to host two teams, with features like programmable exterior lights and two home-team locker rooms. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell supported the idea. However, fans of both teams were not keen on sharing.
By October 2012, Raiders owner Mark Davis said he did not plan to share the stadium. He wanted to keep the team in Oakland or a nearby location. The Raiders eventually moved to Las Vegas for the 2020 season, building their own Allegiant Stadium.
Funding the Stadium
In December 2011, the Santa Clara City Council approved an agreement for the city's Stadium Authority to borrow $850 million. This loan came from Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and U.S. Bank. This money covered most of the construction costs. The rest came from the NFL, a hotel tax, and city development funds. In February 2012, NFL owners approved an additional $200 million loan to the 49ers for the stadium.
Building the Stadium
Construction started soon after the funding was confirmed. The official groundbreaking ceremony happened on April 19, 2012. The first steel beams were put in place on July 30, 2012. The first seats were installed on October 1, 2013.
Construction was paused briefly on June 11, 2013, after a worker had a serious accident. Work restarted two days later after safety officials checked the site.
The stadium was built on a city-owned parking lot next to the California's Great America theme park. There are not many shops or restaurants right next to the stadium. However, the Santa Clara Convention Center and some hotels are nearby.
Stadium Opening and First Events
Levi's Stadium officially opened on July 17, 2014. Its first event was a Major League Soccer match on August 2, 2014. The San Jose Earthquakes beat Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 in front of 48,765 fans.
On August 17, 2014, the 49ers played their first preseason game at the stadium. They lost 34–0 to the Denver Broncos. Sadly, one fan became unwell due to the heat at that game and passed away later.
The first regular-season 49ers game was on September 14, 2014. The team hosted the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football. The Bears won 28–20, with 70,799 fans attending.
Other Major Events
Levi's Stadium has hosted many exciting events beyond regular football games.
Super Bowls
Super Bowl 50
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Super Bowl 50 took place at the stadium on February 7, 2016. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10. Lady Gaga sang the national anthem. Coldplay performed at halftime with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
Super Bowl LX
The stadium hosted Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29–13. This was a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. Charlie Puth performed the national anthem, and Bad Bunny performed at halftime with Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
WrestleMania 31
The stadium hosted WWE's WrestleMania 31 on March 29, 2015. This was the first WrestleMania in Northern California. The event set a Levi's Stadium attendance record of 76,976 people.
Ice Hockey Games
Levi's Stadium hosted an outdoor ice hockey game on February 21, 2015. The Los Angeles Kings played against the San Jose Sharks as part of the 2015 NHL Stadium Series. The Kings won 2–1 in front of 70,205 fans.
Concerts and Music Events
Levi's Stadium has been a popular venue for many famous musicians.
| Date | Artist | Opening act(s) | Tour / Concert name | Attendance | Revenue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2015 | Kenny Chesney Jason Aldean |
Jake Owen Cole Swindell Old Dominion |
The Big Revival Tour The Burn It Down Tour |
46,549 / 47,498 | $4,765,582 | |
| June 27, 2015 | Grateful Dead | N/A | Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead | 151,650 / 151,650 | $21,549,139 | 50th Anniversary concerts |
| June 28, 2015 | ||||||
| July 11, 2015 | One Direction | Icona Pop | On the Road Again Tour | 47,617 / 47,617 | $4,531,686 | |
| August 14, 2015 | Taylor Swift | Vance Joy Shawn Mendes |
The 1989 World Tour | 102,139 / 102,139 | $13,031,146 | Fifth Harmony were special guests on the August 14 show. |
| August 15, 2015 | Little Mix, Joan Baez, and Julia Roberts were special guests on the August 15 show. | |||||
| August 29, 2015 | Luke Bryan | Florida Georgia Line Randy Houser Thomas Rhett Dustin Lynch DJ Rock |
Kick the Dust Up Tour | 46,919 / 46,919 | $3,819,758 | |
| May 16, 2016 | Beyoncé | DJ Khaled | The Formation World Tour | 44,252 / 44,252 | $6,201,845 | |
| September 3, 2016 | Coldplay | Alessia Cara Bishop Briggs |
A Head Full of Dreams Tour | 52,404 / 52,404 | $5,990,660 | |
| August 6, 2016 | Kenny Chesney | Miranda Lambert Sam Hunt Old Dominion |
Spread the Love Tour | 45,530 / 47,998 | $3,728,449 | |
| September 17, 2016 | Beyoncé | DJ Drama | The Formation World Tour | 44,015 / 44,015 | $4,898,690 | |
| May 17, 2017 | U2 | Mumford & Sons | The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 | 50,072 / 50,072 | $6,268,805 | |
| October 4, 2017 | Coldplay | Tove Lo Alina Baraz |
A Head Full of Dreams Tour | 48,341 / 48,341 | $5,265,835 | |
| May 11, 2018 | Taylor Swift | Camila Cabello Charli XCX |
Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour | 107,550 / 107,550 | $14,006,963 | With a $14 million take from 107,550 sold tickets at the venue, Swift topped her own gross and attendance counts set during The 1989 World Tour in 2015 |
| May 12, 2018 | ||||||
| September 29, 2018 | Beyoncé Jay-Z |
Chloe X Halle and DJ Khaled | On the Run II Tour | 47,235 / 47,235 | $7,548,208 | |
| August 18, 2019 | The Rolling Stones | Vista Kicks | No Filter Tour | 47,578 / 47,578 | $11,496,719 | This concert was originally scheduled to take place on May 18, 2019, but was postponed due to Mick Jagger recovering from a heart procedure. |
| May 15, 2022 | Coldplay | H.E.R. | Music of the Spheres World Tour | 50,791 / 50,791 | $5,861,025 | This concert was originally scheduled for April 23, 2022, but it was rescheduled due to logistical reasons. |
| July 29, 2022 | Red Hot Chili Peppers | Beck Thundercat |
Global Stadium Tour | 45,743 / 45,743 | $6,402,979 | |
| August 27, 2022 | The Weeknd | Mike Dean Snoh Aalegra |
After Hours til Dawn Tour | 49,227 / 49,227 | $9,599,671 | |
| October 8, 2022 | Elton John | N/A | Farewell Yellow Brick Road | 77,554 / 77,554 | $13,424,470 | |
| October 9, 2022 | ||||||
| July 28, 2023 | Taylor Swift | Haim Gracie Abrams |
The Eras Tour | |||
| July 29, 2023 | ||||||
| August 14, 2023 | Karol G | Agudelo | Mañana Será Bonito Tour | 43,363 / 43,363 | $6,988,710 | |
| August 30, 2023 | Beyoncé | Renaissance World Tour | 49,613 / 49,613 | $15,402,846 | ||
| September 16, 2023 | Ed Sheeran | Russ Maisie Peters |
+–=÷× Tour | 80,058 / 80,058 | The show set an attendance record for the stadium. | |
| May 17, 2024 | Luke Combs | Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old Tour | ||||
| May 18, 2024 | ||||||
| July 17, 2024 | The Rolling Stones | The Beaches | Hackney Diamonds Tour | |||
| June 20, 2025 | Metallica | Limp Bizkit Ice Nine Kills |
M72 World Tour | |||
| June 22, 2025 | Pantera Suicidal Tendencies |
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| July 8, 2025 | The Weeknd | Playboi Carti Mike Dean |
After Hours til Dawn Tour | 100,230 / 100,230 | $17,087,714 | |
| July 9, 2025 | ||||||
| August 1, 2025 | Morgan Wallen | Miranda Lambert Anne Wilson |
I'm the Problem Tour | |||
| August 2, 2025 | Brooks & Dunn Anne Wilson |
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| July 25, 2026 | Ed Sheeran | Myles Smith Sigrid Aaron Rowe |
Loop Tour | |||
| August 5, 2026 | AC/DC | The Pretty Reckless | Power Up Tour | |||
| August 21, 2026 | Karol G | Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour | ||||
| August 22, 2026 | ||||||
| August 28, 2026 | Usher Chris Brown |
The R&B Tour | ||||
| August 29, 2026 | ||||||
| October 10, 2026 | Bruno Mars | DJ Pee .Wee Raye |
The Romantic Tour | |||
| October 11, 2026 |
Soccer Matches
Levi's Stadium has hosted many exciting soccer games, including international friendlies and major tournaments. On July 31, 2014, the San Jose Earthquakes agreed to play one match per year at the stadium for five years.
| Date | Winning Team | Result | Losing Team | Tournament | Spectators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2, 2014 |  San Jose Earthquakes |
1–0 | Seattle Sounders FC |
MLS Regular Season | 48,765 |
| September 6, 2014 |  Mexico |
0–0 |  Chile |
International Friendly | 67,175 |
| May 24, 2015 | San Jose Earthquakes |
1–1 | Orlando City SC |
MLS Regular Season | 36,224 |
| July 25, 2015 |  Manchester United |
3–1 |  Barcelona |
2015 International Champions Cup | 68,416 |
| June 3, 2016 |  Colombia |
2–0 | United States |
Copa América Centenario Group A | 67,439 |
| June 6, 2016 |  Argentina |
2–1 | Chile |
Copa América Centenario Group D | 69,451 |
| June 13, 2016 |  Uruguay |
3–0 |  Jamaica |
Copa América Centenario Group C | 40,166 |
| June 18, 2016 | Chile |
7–0 | Mexico |
Copa América Centenario quarterfinals | 70,547 |
| July 30, 2016 | Liverpool |
2–0 |  Milan |
2016 International Champions Cup | 30,758 |
| July 23, 2017 | Manchester United |
1–1 (2–1 pen.) |
Real Madrid |
2017 International Champions Cup | 65,109 |
| July 26, 2017 | United States |
2–1 | Jamaica |
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | 63,032 |
| March 23, 2018 | Mexico |
3–0 |  Iceland |
International Friendly | 68,917 |
| July 22, 2018 | San Jose Earthquakes |
0–0 | Manchester United |
Club Friendly | 32,549 |
| August 4, 2018 | Milan |
1–0 | Barcelona |
2018 International Champions Cup | 51,391 |
| March 26, 2019 | Mexico |
4–2 |  Paraguay |
International Friendly | 50,317 |
| May 12, 2019 |  United States |
3–0 |  South Africa |
Women's International Friendly | 22,788 |
| July 20, 2019 |  Benfica |
3–0 | Guadalajara |
2019 International Champions Cup | 15,724 |
| September 27, 2022 | Colombia |
3–2 | Mexico |
International Friendly | 67,311 |
| May 6, 2023 | San Jose Earthquakes |
2–1 | Los Angeles FC |
MLS Regular Season | 45,112 |
| July 2, 2023 | Jamaica |
5–0 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis |
2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A | 60,347 |
 Qatar |
1–0 | Mexico |
2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B | ||
| May 4, 2024 | San Jose Earthquakes |
3–1 | Los Angeles FC |
MLS Regular Season | 43,774 |
| June 22, 2024 |  Venezuela |
2–1 |  Ecuador |
2024 Copa América Group B | 29,864 |
| July 2, 2024 |  Brazil |
1–1 | Colombia |
2024 Copa América Group D | 70,971 |
| July 24, 2024 | Chelsea |
2–2 |  Wrexham |
Friendly | 32,724 |
| July 27, 2024 | San Jose Earthquakes |
1–1 (4–3 pen.) |
Guadalajara |
2024 Leagues Cup | 50,675 |
| July 2, 2025 | Mexico |
1–0 |  Honduras |
2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal | 70,975 |
| September 13, 2025 | Los Angeles FC |
4–2 | San Jose Earthquakes |
MLS Regular Season | 50,978 |
| September 19, 2026 | San Jose Earthquakes |
– | Los Angeles FC |
MLS Regular Season |
2026 FIFA World Cup Matches
Levi's Stadium is one of 16 venues hosting matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is one of eleven US venues and one of two in California. For the event, the stadium is temporarily called "San Francisco Bay Area Stadium." It has hosted two group stage matches and will host four more matches, including one round of 32 game.
| Date | Time (UTC−7) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2026 | 12:00 | Qatar |
1–1 |  Switzerland |
Group B | 67,966 |
| June 16, 2026 | 21:00 |  Austria |
3–1 |  Jordan |
Group J | 68,527 |
| June 19, 2026 | 20:00 |  Turkey |
– | Paraguay |
Group D | |
| June 22, 2026 | 20:00 | Jordan |
– |  Algeria |
Group J | |
| June 25, 2026 | 19:00 | Paraguay |
– |  Australia |
Group D | |
| July 1, 2026 | 17:00 | Winner Group D | – | 3rd Group B/E/F/I/J | Round of 32 |
College Football Games
Levi's Stadium has hosted many college football games, including championship matches. It was the home of the Redbox Bowl and the Pac-12 Championship Game for several years. In January 2019, it hosted the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship.
| Date | Winning Team | Result | Losing Team | Game | Spectators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 24, 2014 | 6 Oregon Ducks | 59–41 | California Golden Bears | 55,575 | |
| December 5, 2014 | 2 Oregon Ducks | 51–13 | 7 Arizona Wildcats | Pac-12 Championship Game | 45,618 |
| December 30, 2014 | Stanford Cardinal | 45–21 | Maryland Terrapins | Foster Farms Bowl | 34,780 |
| December 5, 2015 | 7 Stanford Cardinal | 41–22 | 20 USC Trojans | Pac-12 Championship Game | 58,476 |
| December 26, 2015 | Nebraska Cornhuskers | 37–28 | UCLA Bruins | Foster Farms Bowl | 33,527 |
| December 2, 2016 | 4 Washington Huskies | 41–10 | 8 Colorado Buffaloes | Pac-12 Championship Game | 47,118 |
| December 28, 2016 | 19 Utah Utes | 26–24 | Indiana Hoosiers | Foster Farms Bowl | 27,608 |
| December 1, 2017 | 10 USC Trojans | 31–28 | 12 Stanford Cardinal | Pac-12 Championship Game | 48,031 |
| December 27, 2017 | Purdue Boilermakers | 38–35 | Arizona Wildcats | Foster Farms Bowl | 28,426 |
| October 13, 2018 | Army Black Knights | 52–3 | San Jose State Spartans | 15,627 | |
| November 30, 2018 | 11 Washington Huskies | 10–3 | 17 Utah Utes | Pac-12 Championship Game | 35,134 |
| December 30, 2018 | Oregon Ducks | 7–6 | Michigan State Spartans | Redbox Bowl | 30,212 |
| January 7, 2019 | 2 Clemson Tigers | 44–16 | 1 Alabama Crimson Tide | CFP National Championship Game | 74,814 |
| December 6, 2019 | 13 Oregon Ducks | 37–15 | 5 Utah Utes | Pac-12 Championship Game | 38,679 |
| December 30, 2019 | California Golden Bears | 35–20 | Illinois Fighting Illini | Redbox Bowl | 30,212 |
Future Rugby World Cups
The San Francisco Bay Area is being considered to host matches for the 2031 Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Mass Vaccination Site
On February 9, 2021, Levi's Stadium opened as a large COVID-19 vaccination site. California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials were present for the opening.
See also
In Spanish: Levi's Stadium para niños
- Candlestick Park
- Kezar Stadium
- Lists of stadiums
