Wikipedia

Rice–Eccles Stadium

Rice–Eccles Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the home field of the Utah Utes of the Big 12 Conference. It was built to serve as the stadium for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of 2002 Winter Olympics, a role it is expected to reprise for the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Rice–Eccles Stadium
The stadium in 2021
Map
Address451 South 1400 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
United States
LocationUniversity of Utah
Coordinates40°45′36″N 111°50′56″W / 40.759974576198005°N 111.84885323661989°W / 40.759974576198005; -111.84885323661989
Elevation4,637 ft (1,413 m)
Public transit  703  at Stadium station
OwnerUniversity of Utah[1]
OperatorUniversity of Utah
Executive suites25
Capacity51,444 (2021–present)[2]
Former capacity
    • 45,807 (2014–2020)[3]
    • 45,017 (2003–2013)[4]
    • 45,634 (1998–2002)
Record attendance54,383 (vs. BYU, 2024)
Surface
  • FieldTurf CoolPlay (2015–present)[5]
  • FieldTurf (2002–2015)
  • Natural grass (2000–2001)
  • Sportgrass (1998–1999)
Construction
Broke groundJune 1997
OpenedSeptember 12, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-09-12)
Construction costUS$50,000,000 (equivalent to $93,000,000 in 2023)
ArchitectFFKR Architects[6]
Structural engineerReaveley Engineers + Associates[7]
Services engineerVan Boerum & Frank Associates, Inc.[8]
General contractorLayton Construction
Tenants
Website
stadium.utah.edu

The FieldTurf playing field runs in the traditional north-south configuration at an elevation of 4,637 feet (1,413 m) above sea level, 400 feet (120 m) above downtown Salt Lake City.

History

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When Salt Lake City was awarded the 2002 Winter Olympics in June 1995, it was obvious that Rice Stadium, the largest outdoor stadium in Salt Lake City, was not suitable to serve as the main stadium.[9] The concrete, timber, and earth-fill facility was built in 1927 and had not aged well. In 1996, U of U athletic director Chris Hill announced plans to renovate Rice Stadium into a new facility that would be up to Olympic standards. It was initially expected to take three years to completely overhaul the facility.

However, in 1997, Spencer Eccles, a Utah alumnus and chairman of Utah's biggest bank, First Security Corporation (now part of Wells Fargo), announced that the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation would donate $10 million toward the project. In recognition of this gift, the university received permission from the Eccles family to add George Eccles's name to the stadium alongside that of Robert L. Rice, who had funded the original renovation project to Rice Stadium in 1972.[10] Before 1972, it was Ute Stadium, which opened in 1927 with a Utah win over Colorado Mines.

Renovations

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Immediately after the 1997 season's final home game on November 15, fittingly a 31–14 victory over Rice, Rice Stadium was almost completely demolished, replaced with a modern steel, concrete and glass facility. All that remained of the old stadium were the stands in the south end zone, built in 1982. The stadium did not miss a football season, as the project was timed not to disrupt the 1997 home schedule.[11] The new stadium was ready less than 10 months later for the 1998 home opener, a 45–22 win over Louisville on September 12. The stadium then seated 45,017, plus a new six-story press box.

 
Exterior view and entrance in 2007

In 2014, a row of bleachers were been added in the standing room areas on the east, west and north sections of Rice–Eccles Stadium. 40 ADA seats were also added for a total of 790 new seats, increasing the capacity of Rice–Eccles Stadium to 45,807, plus additional space for standing room behind the new row of bleachers.[3]

In June 2010, the U of U accepted an invitation to join the Pacific-10 Conference (which changed its name to the Pac-12 Conference shortly after the Utah Utes and the Colorado Buffaloes joined)[12] and began playing in the conference during 2011–2012 season. It is expected that Rice–Eccles Stadium is to be expanded and the locker room facilities upgraded.[13] This claim was furthered when both KSL.com[14] and the Deseret News[15] reported that the university was seriously considering expanding the stadium by at least 10,000 seats, which brings the expected capacity to 51,444.[16]

In 2019, the University announced a renovation of the seating at the south end zone. The announced renovation was planned to add 6,000 more seats, high-end suites, locker rooms, offices, terrace seating, and a restaurant, all for $80 million. The Ken Garff Family donated $17.5 million and the section was named the "Ken Garff Red Zone" in his honor.[17] Construction on the South End Zone was completed on August 12, 2021 and opened to the public that season. After construction, the stadium's capacity had increased by 5,637 seats.

The Ken Garff Red Zone features new home and visiting locker rooms, sports medicine facilities and hospitality areas, the University Club restaurant, Diglisic Lounge, Layton Field Club, and various premium seating options, including suites, loge boxes, ledge, club, and premium terrace seating as well as additional bleacher seating. Utah’s new locker room is 5,300 square feet with 90 lockers. It features a one-of-a-kind locker design with hidden storage, wireless charging, and a locking box for athletes.[18]

Features

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Olympic Cauldron Park

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Olympic Cauldron Park pictured in 2004

Immediately south of the stadium was the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park, which contained a 2002 Winter Olympic museum, the Olympic cauldron, and other memorabilia from the games. Only the cauldron remains at the stadium today; the museum and other memorabilia have all since been removed. Hoberman Arch was located until its removal in October 2014.[19] The cauldron has undergone refurbishment and was relocated to a new Olympic plaza at the Southwest corner outside the stadium, just west of the South Endzone expansion.[20]

Playing surface

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Since 2002, the playing field at Rice–Eccles Stadium has been FieldTurf. It was most recently replaced in 2015.[21]

When the stadium reopened in 1998, its surface was SportGrass, a hybrid of natural grass and artificial turf. Earlier, Rice Stadium had been among the first facilities to use SportGrass. A full natural grass was installed in 2000 for two seasons, then was covered by asphalt blacktop for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

It was the second-highest field in the Pac-12, about 700 feet (210 m) lower than Colorado's Folsom Field in Boulder, and over 2,000 feet (610 m) above the third-highest, Washington State's Martin Stadium in Pullman. After moving to the Big 12 Conference in 2024, Colorado and Utah again have the two highest fields in the conference.

Events

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2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

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See also: 2002 Winter Olympics opening ceremony and 2002 Winter Olympics closing ceremony

During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the stadium served as the venue for the Opening Ceremony on February 8, 2002, and for the Closing Ceremony on February 24, 2002. To host the ceremonies, the grass field was paved over with asphalt and a stage was constructed, scoreboards were removed, flags and Olympic livery were installed, temporary seating was brought in (allowing more than 50,000 spectators), and the 2002 Olympic cauldron was installed atop the southern bleachers.

For the duration of the games, the stadium was temporarily renamed the Rice–Eccles Olympic Stadium. Through broadcasts from the stadium, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide watched the Opening and Closing Ceremonies on television.[22]

The Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Winter Paralympics was also held in the stadium on March 7, 2002. The corresponding Closing Ceremony followed suit on March 16, 2002.[23]

2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

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During the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the stadium is expected to serve as the venue for the Opening and Closing ceremonies.[24]

Concerts

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Date Headline artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attend. Revenue Notes
June 17, 2000 NSYNC Pink No Strings Attached Tour
May 24, 2011 U2 The Fray 360° Tour 47,710 / 47,710 $3,029,760 Postponed from June 3, 2010, due to Bono's emergency back surgery.
July 28, 2018 Imagine Dragons Grace VanderWaal
Zedd
Mike Shinoda
Tyler Glenn
Vagabon
A.W.
Cameron Esposito		 LoveLoud2018
Evolve World Tour
July 17, 2021 Garth Brooks — The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour
June 7/8, 2024 Luke Combs Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old Tour

Real Salt Lake

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Rice–Eccles Stadium was also the home field of the Major League Soccer franchise Real Salt Lake from 2005 until October 2008, when Rio Tinto Stadium was opened in the suburb of Sandy, south of Salt Lake City.

Utah Utes

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Rice–Eccles Stadium replaced Rice Stadium, the former home field of the Utah Utes football team. The first Utes game at the stadium was a 45–22 victory over the Louisville Cardinals held on September 12, 1998, with 44,112 in attendance. The Utes have a 120-37 (.764) record at the stadium through the 2023 season.[25]

Salt Lake Stallions

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The Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) played at Rice–Eccles Stadium during the league's lone season in 2019.[26][27]

Other events

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The stadium hosted a round of the AMA Supercross Championship from 2001 to 2004, 2009 to 2013 and 2017. In 2020, it hosted the final seven rounds of the series in a “covid-19 bubble” with no fans being allowed in the stands. Since 2021, Rice–Eccles Stadium has been the home of the Championship round[28]

Rice–Eccles Stadium has hosted Monster Jam from 2022 to present and in May 2024 it was announced that the stadium would host Monster Jam World Finals 24 in 2025.[29]

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  •  
    George W. Bush at the 2002 Winter Games opening ceremonies
  •  
    Olympic flame during the 2002 Games
  •  
    Real Salt Lake v LA Galaxy soccer, May 2008
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    Utah v Utah State football, September 2009
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    Stage of LoveLoud 2018

Attendance records

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Ken Garff South End Zone as seen in October 2022
Rice–Eccles Stadium football attendance records
Attendance records[4]
Rank Date Time Opponent Result Attendance
1 November 9, 2024 7:30 pm #9 BYU L 22-21 54,383
2 August 31, 2023 5:00 pm Florida W 24-11 53,644
3 October 15, 2022 6:00 pm #7 USC W 43–42 53,609[30]
4 October 28, 2023 1:30 pm #7 Oregon L 35-6 53,586
5 October 19, 2024 8:30 pm TCU L 7–13 53,299
6 September 23, 2023 1:30 pm #22 UCLA W 14–7 52,919
7 September 28, 2024 8:15 pm Arizona L 10–23 52,898
8 September 7, 2014 1:30 pm Baylor W 23–12 52,827
9 November 20, 2021 5:30 pm #3 Oregon W 38–7 52,724[31]
10 August 29, 2024 7:00 pm Southern Utah W 49–0 52,210
11 October 14, 2023 1:00 pm California W 34–14 52,115
12 November 4, 2023 12:00 pm Arizona State W 55-3 52,104
13 October 30, 2021 8:00 pm UCLA W 44-24 51,922
14 October 1, 2022 12:00 pm Oregon State W 42-16 51,729
15 October 16, 2021 8:00 pm #18 Arizona State W 35-21 51,724
16 September 17, 2022 8:00 pm San Diego State W 35-7 51,602
17 November 25, 2023 1:00 pm Colorado W 40-17 51,511
18 November 26, 2021 2:00 pm Colorado W 23-17 51,595
19 September 16 , 2023 12:00 pm Weber State W 31–7 51,532
20 September 10, 2022 11:30 am Southern Utah W 73-7 51,531

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Joseph, Spencer (August 13, 2021). "University of Utah cuts the ribbon on $80M expansion to stadium". Fox13Now. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  2. ^ "Rice-Eccles Stadium - Facilities - University of Utah Athletics". University of Utah Athletics Department. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Utah Football Opens 2014 Campaign vs. Idaho State" (Press release). University of Utah Athletics Department. August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Rice–Eccles Stadium". University of Utah Athletics Department. 2009. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  5. ^ "Rice-Eccles Stadium | Utah Athletics". University of Utah Athletics Department. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  6. ^ "FFKR Architects". FFKR Architects. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  7. ^ "Rice–Eccles Stadium". Reaveley Engineers + Architects. Archived from the original on May 13, 2003. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  8. ^ "Benjamin L. Davis, P.E.: Notable Projects". Van Boerum & Frank Associates, Inc. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  9. ^ 2002 Winter Olympics official report. Volume 1. p. 101.
  10. ^ Cortez, Marjorie (July 29, 1998). "U. Football StadiumRrenamed Rice–Eccles to Honor Donors". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. p. A10.
  11. ^ "Utah Game by Game Results". Archived from the original on January 5, 2003. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  12. ^ "Pac-10 Unveils New Logo; Conference Reveals Plans to Eventually Change Name to Pac-12". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. July 27, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  13. ^ Aiken, Kathy; Jeppesen, Randall (June 17, 2010). "University of Utah Accepts Invitation to Join Pac-10". KSL. Salt Lake City. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  14. ^ Adams, Andrew (August 21, 2012). "Possible Stadium Expansion Could Move Olympic Landmarks". KSL-TV. Salt Lake City. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  15. ^ Adams, Andrew (August 21, 2012). "University of Utah Eyes Future Stadium Expansion". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  16. ^ "Facilities". University of Utah Athletics. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "Major Gift for Rice–Eccles Stadium Expansion and Renovation". University of Utah. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  18. ^ Call, Jeff (August 12, 2021). "Rice–Eccles Stadium expansion allows more fans to 'join the party'". deseret.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  19. ^ Riley Roche, Lisa (December 16, 2002). "Cauldron Site Under Construction". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  20. ^ "2002 Olympic cauldron to get a facelift | @theU". attheu.utah.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  21. ^ Larsen, Andy (September 18, 2015). "Rice–Eccles' turf failed prematurely, new field a possible safety concern". Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  22. ^ Salt Lake Organizing Committee (2002). Official Report of the XIX Olympic Winter Games (PDF). p. 101. ISBN 978-0-9717961-0-2. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  23. ^ Salt Lake Organizing Committee (2001). Official Spectator Guide. p. 187.
  24. ^ Schoenbaum, Hannah (July 24, 2024). "Winter Olympians will compete at these 13 venues when the Games return to Salt Lake City in 2034". AP News. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "Utah Football In Top-Five For Current Home Field Win Streak". KSL Sports. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  26. ^ "Utah's new pro football team will be known as the Salt Lake Stallions". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  27. ^ "Salt Lake City 4th City for New Alliance Football League". Scottsbluff Star-Herald. Associated Press. May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  28. ^ "2015 AMA Supercross Media Guide" (PDF). AMA Supercross. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  29. ^ "Salt Lake City to host Monster Jam World Finals for the first time". ABC4 Utah. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  30. ^ "Rising scores on 2-pointer, No. 20 Utah tops No. 7 USC 43-42". ESPN. Associated Press.
  31. ^ "No. 24 Utah routs No. 4 Oregon, ending Ducks' CFP hopes". ESPN. Associated Press. November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rice–Eccles Stadium.
Preceded by Winter Olympics
Opening and Closing Ceremonies (Olympic Stadium)
2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winter Olympics
Opening and Closing Ceremonies (Olympic Stadium)
2034 		Succeeded by
TBD
Preceded by
N/A (first stadium)
 Home of
Real Salt Lake
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
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