Blue turf? That’s gotta be Albertsons Stadium, home of the Boise State Broncos! But guess what? This iconic field wasn’t always blue. It was actually a normal green AstroTurf field when the stadium opened in 1970. It wasn’t until later that the famous blue turf made its debut.

The stadium, which had 10,000 seats, was known as Bronco Stadium for its first 44 seasons. Then, Joe Albertson, a resident of Boise, created the Albertsons grocery store and bought the naming rights, which led to the stadium’s name being changed in May 2014. However, the stadium not only had a name change, but its seating capacity also saw alterations from when it initially opened. 

14,500 fans attended the Broncos’ inaugural game in the stadium in September 1970, when they took on Chico State. After that, the stadium has undergone several completed expansions. With the construction of the upper deck in 1974, seating was increased to 20,000. Then, in 1997, the addition of seats to the stadium’s southeast and southwest corners extended it by 30,000. Following this, the stadium had numerous modifications in 2008, 2014, and other years to create its beautiful atmosphere. And now, the stadium can accommodate 36,387 people. However, the renovations don’t stop here. 

As per the source information, it is anticipated that the start of construction is January 2025, with a 16-month completion period. It is projected to cost between $65 and $76 million. “A combination of donor cash will be used to fund it. The organization finances general revenue bonds and athletic reserves,” stated William Gilbert, vice president of the ISBE Board. The renovation will result in the addition of 1,500 seats overall, including field-level suites, premium boxes, concession stands, and more. On top of that, the estimated annual revenue from the renovations is $4 million more. As a result, you can see how significant the change will be.

However, there is still time to put it into practice. So, take a tour of Albertsons Stadium beforehand to familiarize yourself with its features and amenities.

Nitty-gritty of Albertsons Stadium

Approaching Albertsons Stadium from the southwest corner, you can see the blue turf through the Allen Noble Hall of Fame. Lyle Smith Field’s blue playing surface was built in 1986, during Boise State’s Big Sky Conference membership. Safe to say, it was the first non-green football field ever, and for nearly 20 years, and no NCAA Division I FBS institution had another one. On top of this, it offers seating choices like sky suites, club seating, and loge boxes. Additionally, the stadium features five rooms for meetings or banquets. It hosts a number of important games and events that draw large crowds.

Boise State’s home field also hosts the annual Idaho Potato Bowl. Recently, on September 28, 2024, 37,711 spectators witnessed the Broncos defeat Washington State 45–24, setting a record for the largest-ever attendance at the stadium. According to analysts, the home team usually wins. Well, is it certain though? When Boise State plays San Diego State on November 1, 2024, it will be demonstrated. So, don’t miss the matchup!