Stanford Stadium is a large outdoor football stadium in California. It is situated on the Stanford University campus. It is owned and operated by the University. It also hosts other events in California besides football. It is one of the largest stadiums in California by seating capacity and can accommodate over 50,000 visitors during football matches. Stanford Stadium seating chart with seat numbers and rows is quite useful for finding seats.
Construction of the stadium at Stanford began in 1921 and was completed that same year. The old Stadium was demolished in 2005, and the current stadium was opened in 2006. It has been the home ground of the Stanford Cardinal football team since 1921. The San Jose Earthquakes played in Major League Soccer at this ground only once, in 2011. PayPal Park has been the home ground of the San Jose Earthquakes MLS team since 2015.
Stanford Stadium has hosted many notable events, including soccer games from the 1984 Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup matches. It is also used occasionally to host large concerts and similar events. Stanford Stadium is also known as The Farm and Stanford Stadium Foster Field. Levi’s Stadium is another popular stadium in California, about 14 miles from Stanford Stadium.
Stanford Stadium Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Stanford Stadium |
| Address | 625 Nelson Road, Stanford, CA 94305 |
| Home team | Stanford Cardinal football |
| Original opening | 1921 |
| Reopened after reconstruction | 2006 |
| Seating capacity | Approximately 50,000 |
| Main seating levels | Lower bowl, upper bowl and skybox level |
| Lower bowl sections | Approximately 101-140 |
| Upper bowl sections | 201-240 |
| Premium seating | West Midfield Premium, West Sideline Premium, skyboxes and Buck/Cardinal Club hospitality |
| Main event type | College football |
| Main entrance gates | Gates 2, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 15, depending on ticket and event |
| Nearest rail connection | California Avenue or Palo Alto Caltrain stations, with onward local transport |
| Main stadium address for navigation | 625 Nelson Road, Stanford, California |
Stanford Stadium Seating Chart
The stadium seats are spread across mainly two levels to accommodate over 50000 visitors during football games. Stanford Stadium seating chart depicts the location of seating sections with row numbers and the location of the field. The map also shows the visitor sections and the home team section.
The detailed seating layout of Stanford University Stadium helps in choosing the best sections before booking. The color-coded map shows the location of all seating sections for easy identification of the seats. The number of the sections are also indicated on the map.
The location of general seats and premium sections is indicated on the map to identify the seats. Accessible sections are situated on various levels and in various sections. The location of ADA seats are shown on the map and these are limited in number. Accessible sections are suitable for people who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues. Early booking is highly recommended for the accessible sections due to limited availability and high demand.
The performance stage is set up on the field during the high-voltage concerts, and part of the field is used for temporary arrangements to accommodate the additional crowd.
Stanford Stadium Best Sections
The layout map of the stand Ford University stadium shows the location of all the amenities around the stadium. It helps in choosing the best sections while keeping all the essential amenities in mind.
| Seating Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Seats | Balanced football view | Lower sideline near midfield, approximately Sections 111-115 & 131-135; good balance of proximity and view across the field | Midfield seats may cost more; lower rows provide a flatter viewing angle |
| Best Budget Seats | Value for money | Upper sideline near midfield, choosing the lowest available rows in the 200-level | Farther from the players; upper bowl is exposed to full sun |
| Premium & VIP Seating | Luxury & exclusive experience | West Midfield Premium and West Sideline Premium, plus skyboxes and Buck/Cardinal Club hospitality | Higher prices; some benefits require membership or a qualifying ticket |
| Seats to Avoid | — | Avoid the highest rows at the far ends if you want a closer, balanced view; check the sightline before selecting end-zone corner seats | Greater distance from the action and a less balanced view of the whole field |
The front sections around the performance stage are the best areas during the concerts at Stanford Stadium.
Stanford Stadium Parking Map
The parking is spread across several lots around the stadium and they can accommodate thousands of vehicles. The parking lots are colored differently by reservation type for easy identification. Red, green, and blue parking lots are generally reserved. The yellow parking lot is reserved for the media. The map indicates the locations of general parking lots. The locations of all the landmarks, streets, etc. are also indicated on the parking map.
Accessible parking is mainly situated in the sunken Diamond Lot 1. Accessible parking is available only after showing a valid placard. Pre-booking is recommended for ADA parking. Visitors can pre-book the parking space by clicking this link.
Visitors planning to attend an event at the Stanford Stadium can also use public transport. Palo Alto Station on Caltrain is the nearest station to the venue, and the rest can be covered on foot or by local transit. California Avenue Station is another alternative Caltrain station. Marguerite Shuttle is the university shuttle service, and visitors can also use local bus services to arrive at the stand Ford University.
Stanford Stadium Bag Policy
| Item | Policy |
|---|---|
| Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag | Maximum 12 × 6 × 12 inches |
| Small clutch or purse | Maximum 4.5 × 6.5 inches |
| Large backpacks / oversized bags | Prohibited |
| Coolers | Prohibited |
| Glass or metal bottles | Prohibited |
| Open umbrellas | Prohibited |
| Tripods, selfie sticks and monopods | Prohibited |
| Medical and accessibility equipment | Check the event’s specific accommodation rules |
| Security screening | Bags and attendees may be searched |
Bag Check and Drop facilities are generally available at the Stanford University Stadium.
Stanford Stadium 2026 Events
| Day & Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Stanford Cardinal vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | NCAA College Football |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Stanford Cardinal vs. Elon Phoenix — Reunion Homecoming | NCAA College Football |
| Friday, October 23, 2026 | Stanford Cardinal vs. NC State Wolfpack — Heroes Appreciation | NCAA College Football |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Stanford Cardinal vs. SMU Mustangs — Senior Day & Fan Appreciation | NCAA College Football |
Stanford Stadium Events 2027
| Day & Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| To be announced | Stanford Cardinal 2027 home football games — dates and opponents not yet verified | NCAA College Football |
| To be announced | Other concerts or special events, if announced by the venue | Concerts / Special Events |
