After a $70 million makeover, Purdue’s Ross-Ade Stadium is now a sleek and stylish home field that’s sure to impress fans. Former Purdue University students David Ross and George Ade took the initiative to finance the new stadium for the football team early in the 1920s, and they also bought the land where the stadium was built. As a result, the stadium is named in their honor, which is quite reasonable. However, Stuart Field was the home field for the Purdue football team before going to this stadium. To go from that field to the breathtaking ambiance of today, it took around six expansions. 

When the Purdue Boilermakers played their first game against the Indiana Hoosiers in November 1924, the Ross-Ade Stadium could hold 13,500 fans. Then, as the number of supporters grew, the north end zone had its first enlargement in 1930 when 5,000 more seats were added. After that, a permanent grandstand was built on the west side prior to the 1949 season, increasing the seating capacity to 51,295 seats. Then following six additions and end zone bleacher seating brought the total to 69,200. However, it was demolished during the $70 million refurbishment, and the stadium can now accommodate only 61,441 people.

Not only seating capacity, but it offers several seating choices as well. The Ross-Ade Stadium seating configuration is designed to provide a variety of seating options, such as opulent suites, VIP seats, chair-back, and standard seats, for fans. However, the student section and band are often located in the south end zone of the stadium. Besides seating options, it offers a parking area, restrooms, food, and beverages on game days so that spectators can enjoy the entire game.

However, if that doesn’t pique your interest, here are some more captivating facts about the home turf of the Purdue Boilermakers.

Nitty-gritty of Ross-Ade Stadium

The stadium’s natural grass playing field provides players and spectators with an authentic, traditional football experience, drawing sizable crowds of fervent football fans to see exciting games. In 1980, Purdue defeated Indiana 24–23 in the Old Oaken Bucket game, drawing the largest-ever attendance at Ross-Ade Stadium—71,629 spectators. Following that, a Purdue vs. Notre Dame game in September 1997 drew 67,899 spectators, which was the second-highest attendance. But in addition to football games, the stadium hosts important occasions like the 9/11 Memorial Steps of Sacrifice and other community events.

Ross-Ade Stadium had a great start to the 2024 season, crushing Indiana State 49-0. However, the momentum quickly faded with losses to Notre Dame and Nebraska. The Boilermakers still have a chance to turn things around, though. They’ll face the Oregon Ducks on October 18th at 8 PM EST, right here at Ross-Ade. It’s a big game for Purdue, and a win could really get their season back on track to an extent. Can Purdue break out of their slump? Can the 1-5 Boilermakers hope for a home-field advantage to get their second win?

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