O.co Coliseum

Oakland Raiders

About Stadium

Commonly referred to as the Oakland Coliseum, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is the home of the National Football League’s Oakland Raiders and located in Oakland, California.

The stadium was opened in 1966, and in addition to it being the home of the NFL’s Raiders, it’s also the home field of Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics, making it the only remaining venue shared by an NFL and MLB team.

At a seating capacity of 56,057, the stadium is the smallest stadium in the National Football League, and the second smallest in Major League Baseball.

The field has a unique design in that the playing surface is actually below ground level by 21 feet. Consequently, when fans enter the stadium, they find themselves on the upper level of the venue.

When the field is arranged for use by the Oakland Athletics, it features the most foul territory our of any other Major League Baseball stadium. This regularly comes into play when foul balls that would be the stands at most parks, are easily fielded still at the Oakland Coliseum.

•Capacity: 56,057

•Opened: September 18, 1966

•Playing Surface: Tifway II Bermuda Grass

•Location: 7000 Coliseum Way
Oakland, California 94621

History

• Construction on the stadium began back in 1919, and it was opened 5 years later on October 9, 1924, known as Municipal Grant Park Stadium, at the time. The name was later changed to Soldier Field on November 11, 1925.

• The original design of the stadium used plank seating, which were neither very comfortable nor did they hold up well to the harsh Chicago winters. In 1978 the plank seats were replaced by individual seat with their own backs and armrests.

• In 2001, the Chicago Park District announced plans to renovate the stadium to bring it up to standards with the times. This measure was met with much backlash from the public who viewed the stadium as an historic site. The plans were still completed in 2003, with some of the old stadium being demolished to make room for the improvements.

• As a result of the 2003 renovations, the stadium lost its listing as a National Historic Landmark on September 23, 2004.

Past and Current Teams

Oakland Athletics (MLB) (1968–present)
Oakland Raiders (AFL/NFL) (1966–1981, 1995–present)
Oakland Invaders (USFL) (1983–1985)
Oakland Clippers (NPSL/NASL) (1967–1968)
Oakland Stompers (NASL) (1978)
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) (2008–2009)