Camp Randall Stadium

Camp Randall Stadium. Located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, it is the home field of the Wisconsin Badgers football team and one of the largest stadiums in the Big Ten Conference. The site holds significant historical importance, having originally served as a training ground and prison camp for the Union Army during the American Civil War. With a current capacity of over 80,000, it is renowned for its intense game-day atmosphere and the tradition of Jump Around between the third and fourth quarters.

History

The land now occupied was originally used as a military training facility for Wisconsin volunteers beginning in 1861, officially designated as Camp Randall in honor of Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall. During the war, the site also functioned as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Confederate soldiers. After the war, the property was deeded to the University of Wisconsin, with the first athletic contests held on Randall Field in the 1890s. The current stadium was constructed in 1917, replacing the wooden bleachers of the old field, and has been the permanent home of the Wisconsin Badgers ever since. The stadium's location ensures its legacy is intrinsically linked to both the state's military history and its academic institution.

Description and features

The horseshoe-shaped bowl is oriented in a north-south alignment, with the primary seating areas consisting of a large double-decked grandstand on the west side and expansive bleachers encircling the east and south ends. The playing surface is a modern FieldTurf system, installed in 2003. Notable architectural elements include the iconic Camp Randall Memorial Arch at the main entrance, dedicated to Wisconsin's Civil War veterans, and the McClain Center indoor practice facility attached to the stadium's north end. The venue also houses the Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame and features premium seating options such as luxury suites and club seats added during recent renovations.

Notable events

Beyond hosting decades of Wisconsin Badgers football games, including numerous Rose Bowl-clinching victories and contests against rivals like the Ohio State Buckeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers, the stadium has been a site for major non-athletic events. It was the location for a historic speech by President William Howard Taft in 1911, before the stadium's construction, and later hosted President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The venue has also staged large-scale concerts by legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, U2, and Paul McCartney. During World War II, the facility was used for training exercises by the United States Navy.

Renovations and expansions

Major projects have transformed the facility from its original 1917 capacity of 11,000. A significant expansion in 1966 added the upper deck to the west grandstand and increased capacity to over 77,000. The most comprehensive modernization occurred between 2002 and 2005 as part of a $109 million project, which added new premium seating, rebuilt the south end zone stands, installed new concessions and restrooms, and upgraded structural and safety features throughout. Earlier expansions in 1919, 1924, 1934, and 1958 incrementally increased seating by constructing permanent concrete bleachers to replace temporary wooden ones.

In popular culture

The stadium and its unique traditions have been featured in numerous national media broadcasts, particularly ESPN's College GameDay, which has originated from the site multiple times. The Jump Around tradition, where the entire student section jumps in unison to the song by House of Pain, has become a nationally recognized spectacle, often highlighted during television coverage. The intense atmosphere, including the participation of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, has been documented in films and television series about college football. The venue's distinct aura is frequently cited in rankings of the best game-day experiences in college football.

Category:Football venues in Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison Category:Sports venues in Madison, Wisconsin