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Raymond James Stadium

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Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Devin Morris · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
NameRaymond James Stadium
Location4201 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida
Broke ground1996
OpenedSeptember 20, 1998
OwnerTampa Sports Authority
OperatorTampa Sports Authority
SurfaceTifway 419 Bermuda grass
Construction cost$168.5 million
ArchitectPopulous
Structural engineerWalter P Moore
General contractorBarton Malow
TenantsTampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) (1998–present), Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) (2020), Gasparilla Bowl (NCAA)(1998–2008, 2016–present), South Florida Bulls football (NCAA) (1998–present, select games)
Seating capacity65,618 (expandable to 75,000)

Raymond James Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. Primarily serving as the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it is owned and operated by the Tampa Sports Authority. The facility, notable for its distinctive pirate ship in the north end zone, opened in 1998 and has hosted major events including the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship, and the WrestleMania professional wrestling showcase.

History

Planning for a new stadium to replace the aging Tampa Stadium began in the mid-1990s, driven by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' need for a modern venue with enhanced revenue-generating features. A public referendum in 1996 approved funding, and construction by Barton Malow commenced that same year. The stadium opened on September 20, 1998, with a Monday Night Football game between the Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears. Its naming rights were secured by the financial services firm Raymond James Financial, headquartered in nearby St. Petersburg, Florida.

Design and features

Designed by the architectural firm Populous, the stadium's most iconic feature is a 103-foot-long replica pirate ship in the north end zone, which fires its cannons after Buccaneers touchdowns and field goals. The playing surface is natural Tifway 419 Bermuda grass. The facility includes 12,000 club seats, 143 luxury suites, and expansive concourses. Its design incorporates a retractable canopy over the main seating bowl on the west side to provide shade, a unique feature among open-air NFL stadiums.

Events

The stadium has been selected to host the Super Bowl multiple times, including Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, and Super Bowl LV in 2021. It was the site of the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017 and annually hosts the Gasparilla Bowl. Other major events include the WrestleMania pay-per-view events in 2008 and 2024, concerts by major acts like The Rolling Stones and Beyoncé, and international soccer matches featuring teams like Chelsea F.C. and Club América.

Tenants

The primary tenant is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. The stadium also serves as the occasional home for the University of South Florida Bulls football team. It was the home field for the Tampa Bay Vipers of the 2020 iteration of the XFL. Additionally, it is the permanent home of the Gasparilla Bowl college football postseason game.

Renovations and upgrades

A major $160 million renovation was completed in 2016, which included the installation of the world's largest continuous stadium video boards, each measuring 9,600 square feet. Other upgrades have included enhanced Wi-Fi and cellular infrastructure, new concession areas, and improvements to the club seats and suites. Further enhancements were made prior to hosting Super Bowl LV, including locker room expansions and media facility upgrades to meet NFL standards for the championship event.

The stadium's distinctive pirate ship has made it a recognizable backdrop in films and television. It featured prominently in the 2005 film The Longest Yard, which starred Adam Sandler. The venue has also appeared in episodes of the television series Ballers and has been used as a filming location for various commercials and music videos, cementing its status as an iconic landmark of the Tampa Bay Area.

Category:American football venues in Florida Category:Tampa, Florida Category:National Football League venues Category:Populous (company) buildings and structures