Ohio Stadium

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Construction began in 1922 after faculty discussions noted that the original Ohio Field could no longer hold the crowds. Architect Howard Dwight Smith designed the horseshoe shape in 1918, utilizing revolutionary techniques like a coffer dam system to keep out Olentangy River waters and double columns for wider spacing. The project was funded largely by public subscription, raising over $1.1 million in pledges with $975,001 actually honored. Built by the E. H. Latham Company using materials from Marble Cliff Quarry Co., it opened on October 7, 1922, against Ohio Wesleyan University. Although a crowd of around 25,000 attended that first game, leaving about 41,000 seats empty, the formal dedication against Michigan two weeks later drew an announced 72,000 fans. The stadium became the largest poured concrete structure in the world upon completion.

In Their Own Story

The stadium's history is defined by its evolution from a cinder track facility to a modern sports complex. In 1923, a track was added and later named after Olympian Jesse Owens; it remained until 2001 when the OSU track teams moved to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Renovations have been frequent: a $2.1 million scoreboard arrived in 1984, and a massive $194 million overhaul from 1998 to 2001 removed the track entirely to lower the field 14.5 feet below the water table, adding seating that raised capacity to 101,568. In 2014, an additional 2,500 seats were added in the south stands, pushing the official count to 104,944. The surface itself has changed frequently, shifting from natural grass to AstroTurf in 1971, SuperTurf in 1979, back to "Prescription Athletic Turf" in 1990, and finally to FieldTurf in 2007 after repeated sod failures. The north end rotunda, designed to mimic the Pantheon in Rome, now features stained glass murals of offensive and defensive squads.

Reader's Guide

Visitors should note that Ohio Stadium is strictly an outdoor football venue and concert hall, having hosted acts like U2, Taylor Swift, and Metallica. It does not host hockey games; the Columbus Blue Jackets are based at Nationwide Arena. The stadium opened in 1922 with a capacity of 66,210, which grew to 104,944 by 2014. Night football was rare before 2014 due to a lack of permanent lights; the first night game occurred on September 14, 1985, against Pittsburgh. Permanent lighting was installed prior to the 2014 season. The facility is also the site for the university's Spring Commencement ceremonies each May. Fans should be aware that the stadium maintains its famous open-ended horseshoe configuration even after recent expansions. For those interested in history, the venue was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was built in 1922 as the largest poured concrete structure in the world at the time.
• From 1996 to 1999, it served as the home venue for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer before they moved to their own stadium.
• The north end rotunda is designed to look like the dome at the Pantheon in Rome and features stained glass windows depicting the history of Ohio State.
• Between 1999 and 2001, a $194 million renovation removed the running track and lowered the field by 14.5 feet, with a drainage system installed, to add more seating.
• The stadium hosted its first night game on September 14, 1985, when the #9 Buckeyes defeated Pittsburgh 10–7.