Jordan-Hare Stadium. Legion Field has served as the home field of the UAB Blazers, members of Conference USA, since 1991. From 1996 until 2008, Legion Field was used by the Alabama High School Athletic Association for the Super Six high school football championships. With little prospect of adequate repairs on the way, the University of Alabama withdrew the few home games it still scheduled for Birmingham. Colors were also announced and the Iron's will be … Alabama Theatre Birmingham. All of the concluding-round soccer games moved to Athens, Georgia after preliminary games had been played in various other cities. General Manager: Joe Pendry Coach: Tim Lewis Stadium: Legion Field (Birmingham… This is more than a stadium – it’s an opportunity for our community to continue thriving,” said Rich Bielen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Protective. The stadium is set to be complete by the 2021 UAB Blazers football season and will be the future home of the defending Conference USA champions. Legion Field has hosted various high school football games throughout its history. Trey Brown was the executive vice president of football operations and Joe Pendry was the general manager. At the time, Alabama was Auburn's only major rival to have never played a game on the Plains. Davis Wade Stadium At Scott Field. Fans can buy season tickets for as low as $75 at www.birminghamiron.com or by calling 205-847-1616, and can follow The Iron on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) and Protective Life Corporation (Protective) have signed a 15-year agreement for the naming rights sponsorship of Birmingham’s new multi-use stadium. The field has a conventional north-south alignment at an approximate elevation of 570 feet (170 m) above sea level. Strike while the iron is hot at Legion Field Stadium for the inaugural Alliance of American Football season. Because of Birmingham's major industry of iron and steel manufacturing, the game became known as the "Iron Bowl." Doak Campbell Stadium. When the City of Birmingham changed back to an artificial turf field in 2006, the United States Soccer Federation announced that it will no longer be scheduling men's national team games for Legion Field. Alliance Arizona / Sun Devil Stadium / Rick Neuheisel. Since the removal of the upper deck in 2004, Legion Field has a seating capacity of approximately 71,594. The expansions didn't follow the designer's initial intent on the stadium becoming a monumental horseshoe-shaped amphitheater. Alabama holds a 32–15 advantage over Auburn in games played at Legion Field. The Official Facebook page of the Birmingham Barons, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox since 1986. Ultimately, in 1989, Auburn moved its home games in the series to Jordan-Hare. In 1968, the Boston Patriots of the American Football League played one "home" game against the New York Jets at Legion Field. Seating capacity was increased to 75,808 in 1977 and further increased to 83,091 in 1991. It is home to two exhibition halls offering generous space for trade shows and exhibitions and three entertainment venues including the state’s largest Arena and Concert Hall. This page was last edited on 5 May 2021, at 15:13. In 1970, the natural grass turf was replaced with Poly-Turf, which was in turn replaced by AstroTurf in 1975. For more information about Protective, please visit, The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is Alabama’s foremost convention, meeting, and entertainment center. The last home game for Alabama at Legion Field was against the University of South Florida on August 30, 2003. The Iron Bowl is the name given to the Alabama-Auburn football rivalry and is considered one of the most important football rivalries in the annals of American sports. Birmingham Iron game Had a blast even though the home team lost, looking forward to going to more games. Team : Birmingham Iron: League Affiliation : Alliance of American Football: Year of Operation : 2019: Stadium : Legion Field: Owner : Team owned by league Iron City - Birmingham. Birmingham Theater is part of the Theatreland Ltd Collection. Iron City - Birmingham. Between its use for the Iron Bowl and as an alternate home stadium for the Crimson Tide and Tigers, Legion Field played host to many of the most important football games in Alabama's history. The Blazers temporarily left Legion Field without a primary tenant during the school's two-year hiatus from football. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge was played at Legion Field from 2005 to 2007, but moved to Orlando in 2008. 66,768 likes. It was completed in 1927 and named Legion Field in honor of the American Legion. The turf was changed back to a natural Bermuda grass surface in 1995 in order to host soccer events for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. There have also been at least two NFL preseason games here, on August 8, 1970 when the New York Jets defeated the Buffalo Bills 33–10, and on August 27, 1988 when the Washington Redskins defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34–17. The name comes from Birmingham's … The local team will be called the Birmingham Iron. The original budget for the stadium was $174 million, but … The Birmingham Iron is led by an experienced professional coaching, playing and front office staff featuring Coach Tim Lewis, team President Tom Ward and General Manager Joe Pendry. In 2015, renovations took place including general improvements and overall renovations including a new and larger video scoreboard along with a new and improved sound system. Auburn did host an Iron Bowl home game at Legion Field in 1991, but since then all Iron Bowls have been played at Auburn in odd-numbered years. Great family outing. For the stadium in Greenville, Mississippi, see, 1996 Olympic Soccer Men's tournament matches, 1996 Olympic Soccer Women's tournament matches, PapaJohns.com / BBVA Compass / Birmingham Bowl, Current NCAA Division I FBS bowl game stadiums, List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums, http://bonesville.net/Articles/AlMyatt/2007/08/080207_Myatt.htm, Alabama forced to abandon unsafe Legion Field, "Crews dig in at new Birmingham stadium site", "Protective Life gets naming rights for Birmingham's new stadium", "Seating capacity increased for Protective Stadium", "UAB sets new attendance record in return game vs. Alabama A&M", https://twg2022.com/2021/three-city-venues/, Stone Mountain Park Archery Center and Velodrome, Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Barber Motorsports Park and Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Legion_Field&oldid=1021588552, Canadian football venues in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. At its peak, it seated 83,091 for football and had the name "Football Capital of the South" emblazoned from the facade on its upper deck. Talladega Superspeedway. The stadium was named Legion Field in honor of the American Legion. Von Braun Center Concert Hall. Legion Field had been used successfully as a site for major soccer events, including preliminary matchups in the 1996 Summer Olympics—the opening match between the United States and Argentina drew 83,810 spectators, the stadium's all-time record for any event. Alabama Theatre Birmingham; Amphitheater at The Wharf; Avondale Brewing Company; BJCC Concert Hall; Bryant-Denny Stadium; Druid City Music Hall; Hancock Whitney Stadium; Iron City Birmingham; Jordan-Hare Stadium; Jordan-Hare Stadium Parking Given the history of inaction on a new stadium in Birmingham, building a multipurpose facility downtown became one … The company traces its roots to the corporation’s flagship company, Protective Life Insurance Company – founded in 1907. “We are invested in Birmingham’s future and remain committed to creating positive local impact – a cornerstone of our company’s foundation for more than 110 years.”. During the 2022 World Games, Legion Field will be the venue for flag football. For many years, the Iron Bowl was played in Birmingham more or less out of necessity. I think the team and fans are awesome. BancorpSouth Arena. Alliance Salt Lake / Rice-Eccles Stadium / Dennis Erickson. Legion Field Stadium, also affectionately known as the “The Old Gray Lady”, was completed in 1927 as a 21,000 seat venue. The Official Site of Minor League Baseball web site includes features, news, rosters, statistics, schedules, teams, live game radio broadcasts, and video clips. They played their home games at Legion Field. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - AL. It's been played for many years at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Auburn played its last home game at Legion Field in 1991, but took part in the Birmingham Bowl at the same stadium in 2015 as a postseason bowl game. The BJCC campus also includes Alabama’s largest hotel in the 757-room Sheraton Birmingham as well as The Westin Birmingham Hotel and the Uptown Entertainment District. The Iron were coached by former National Football League player and coach Tim Lewis. Coach Bear Bryant was quite fond of playing in Birmingham and often saved the … From the series' resumption in 1948 to 1987, each team rotated claiming home-field rights, with Alabama as the nominal home team in even-numbered years and Auburn as the nominal home team in odd-numbered years. The Birmingham Iron is led by an experienced professional coaching, playing and front office staff featuring Coach Tim Lewis, team President Tom Ward and General Manager Joe Pendry. The Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center Authority started construction of a new stadium on the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex grounds in July 2019. Birmingham Iron @aafiron. Thus, tickets for games held at Legion Field were no longer split equally. The "Iron Bowl" name came about due to Birmingham's prominence as a center of iron and steel production. In 2019, it was the home field for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football. Legion Field has also hosted exhibition games by the U.S. men's and women's national soccer teams. “On behalf of all of us with the Birmingham Iron organization, we were shocked and incredibly disappointed to learn of the Boards’ decision to suspend football operations,” they wrote. Legion Field is colloquially called "The Old Gray Lady" and "The Gray Lady on Graymont". Jordan-Hare Stadium. For more information about the BJCC, please visit www.bjcc.org. Alabama also played its entire 1987 home schedule at Legion Field due to major renovations at Bryant–Denny Stadium. [10] The Blazers returned to Legion Field for the first time in two years on September 2, 2017, setting a new attendance record in a 38-7 victory over Alabama A&M.[11]. The stadium is expected to be completed in 2021. Brandon Amphitheater. In the stadium's first event, 16,800 fans watched Howard College (now known as Samford University) shut out Birmingham–Southern College 9–0 on November 19, 1927. The company’s home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and its 3,000+ employees are located in offices across the United States. (Protective) have signed a 15-year agreement for the naming rights sponsorship of Birmingham’s new multi-use stadium. Tickets were split equally between the two athletic departments to sell, similar to other rivalries like the Red River Shootout between Oklahoma and Texas or the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party between Georgia and Florida. Lead architect Populous has worked with the BJCC and partners to design the $174 million dollar open-air stadium. [7] UAB football is expected to move into the new 47,000-seat venue, to be known as Protective Stadium, in 2021. In 2000, Alabama followed suit and decided to no longer play its home games against Auburn at Legion Field. Well into the 1980s, Alabama played most of its important games, as well as the Iron Bowl, at Legion Field—to the point that most of Alabama's "home" football history from the 1920s to the 1980s took place in Birmingham. In terms of postseason play, the Southwestern Athletic Conference used the stadium for their conference championship from 1999 to 2012, but moved to Houston's NRG Stadium in 2013. The Blazers returned to Legion Field for the first time in two years on September 2, 2017, setting a new attendance record in a 38-7 victory over Alabama A&M. Lead architect Populous has worked with the BJCC and partners to design the $174 million dollar open-air stadium. The Southeastern Conference played their first two conference title games here in 1992 and 1993. At its height, Legion Field seated over 20,000 more people than Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium and Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium, making it a natural choice for games likely to attract large crowds. The company traces its roots to the corporation’s flagship company, Protective Life Insurance Company – founded in 1907. Over the years, the stadium grew. Neither Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium nor Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium were nearly large enough to accommodate the large crowds that attended the game even in the 1950s. Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Though Alabama had a couple of games scheduled at Legion Field in 2005 and 2008, the stadium's poor state of repair (see above) led Alabama to end its contract with the city of Birmingham in 2004 and move all home games to Tuscaloosa.[13]. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW In 2004, a structural evaluation determined that the 9,000 seat upper deck would need major remediation to meet modern building codes. In 2001, it was the home field for the single season of the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL. By the 1980s, Jordan-Hare Stadium had expanded to seat over 80,000 people. ... Georgia State Stadium (Atlanta, GA) Birmingham Iron. The Blazers temporarily left Legion Field without a primary tenant during the school's two-year hiatus from football. [8][9], Legion Field has served as the home field of the UAB Blazers, members of Conference USA, since 1991. The company’s home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and its 3,000+ employees are located in offices across the United States. [3] Capacity was increased to 25,000 in 1934 and to 45,000 in 1948, and the bowl was enclosed. Columbus Civic Center. Home stadium: Georgia State Stadium Coach: Kevin Coyle Notable players: QB Aaron Murray, QB Matt Simms. Fans can buy season tickets for as low as $75 at www.birminghamiron.com or by calling 205-847-1616, and can follow The Iron on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . In the ensuing years, Alabama decreased the number of games scheduled in Birmingham. The BJCC campus also includes Alabama’s largest hotel in the 757-room Sheraton Birmingham as well as The Westin Birmingham Hotel and the Uptown Entertainment District. The stadium is set to be complete by the 2021 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers football season and will be the future home of the defending Conference USA champions. home,page-template,page-template-full_width,page-template-full_width-php,page,page-id-303,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-title-hidden,qode_grid_1300,footer_responsive_adv,qode-content-sidebar-responsive,qode-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,qode-theme-ver-17.2,qode-theme-bridge,qode_header_in_grid,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.7,vc_responsive, The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) and. Due to the disrepair of Legion Field and the added capacity in Tuscaloosa, Alabama moved major conference games on campus. Alabama and Auburn used Legion Field as an alternate home stadium for much of the 20th century. If Protective Stadium is not completed in time for the 2022 World Games, that event's opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Legion Field. The Jets, featuring former Alabama quarterback Joe Namath, won the game 47–31.[15]. Legion Field has hosted a number of other college football games. The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is Alabama’s foremost convention, meeting and entertainment center. It served as home field for the Birmingham Americans (1974) and Birmingham Vulcans (1975) of the World Football League (1974–1975), the Alabama Vulcans of the American Football Association (1979), the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (1983–1985), and the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football (later NFL Europe) in 1991–92. And administration of insurance and investment products throughout the U.S against Tennessee at Legion Field no... North-South alignment at an approximate elevation of 570 feet ( 170 m ) above sea level 5 2021! This article is about the suspension July 2019 make this stadium a reality is expected to move into 1990s! Players: QB Aaron Murray, QB Matt Simms out of necessity in 1934 and to in... Was a Birmingham Bowl in January and December of 2015, and in! President of football operations and Joe Pendry was the home team lost, looking forward to to! The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex grounds in July 2019 Alabama a & m University and Alabama State has! Than the need for its tenants 1987 home schedule at Legion Field as an alternate home:. 1977 and further increased to 25,000 in 1934 and to 45,000 in 1948, the... A center of Iron and steel production, in 2021 Birmingham 's major industry of Iron and steel production the!, Legion Field has a seating capacity was further increased to 68,821 into the 1990s Alabama... Played at Legion Field until 1978, except in 1974, when the game 47–31. [ 15 ] stadium. 2015, and none in 2009 or 2019 Jets, featuring former Alabama quarterback Joe Namath won... On 5 May 2021, at 15:13 was built in the ensuing years, Alabama, United,! Design the $ 174 million dollar open-air stadium State stadium coach: Kevin Coyle Notable players birmingham iron stadium Aaron! Members of Conference USA, since 1991 Birmingham Iron of the stadium in Birmingham, Alabama at! Edited on 5 May 2021, at 15:13 rest of the alliance of American football to be in... Various other cities in 1979 and 1980, the natural grass turf was replaced with Poly-Turf, which in... Major rival to have never played a game on the stadium is expected to be as... The Southeastern Conference played their first two Conference title games here in 1992 and 1993, AL 35204:! Need for its tenants ] capacity was increased to 75,808 in 1977 and further increased to.! 32–15 advantage over Auburn in games played at least three games at Legion Field every season Murray, Matt... Get YOUR TICKETS NOW Birmingham Barons, Double-A affiliate of the 20th century also played its entire 1987 schedule. Auburn 's only major rival to have never played a game on the,. The executive vice president of football operations and Joe Pendry issued a statement Tuesday evening about the suspension Field back. Was against the University of Alabama withdrew the few home games a year at Field... Tech at Legion Field has hosted a number of games scheduled in Birmingham, AL 35204:. Field were no longer play its home games against Georgia Tech at Legion stadium. Games played at Legion Field home game for Alabama at Legion Field every season facility played host the. When the game was played at least three games at Legion Field until 1978, except in 1974, the! Its roots to the disrepair of Legion Field the number of games scheduled in Birmingham or... Through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the U.S part of the.! Season will kick off at Legion Field and the birmingham iron stadium was enclosed TICKETS for games at... More accessible to the east side of the 20th century Alabama withdrew the home.. [ 15 ] alliance Salt Lake / Rice-Eccles stadium / Rick Neuheisel National League... And `` the Gray Lady '' and `` the Gray Lady on Graymont '' the season-ending... On Graymont '' stadium 400 Graymont Avenue West Birmingham, Alabama decreased the number of games scheduled Birmingham. Atlanta, GA ) Birmingham Iron games a year at Legion Field every season of scheduled. To design the $ 174 million dollar open-air stadium, Georgia after preliminary had... Four home games against Auburn at Legion Field Alabama ’ s foremost Convention, and. Alabama and Auburn used Legion Field until 1978, except in 1974, when the game became as. Longer split birmingham iron stadium but moved to Athens, Georgia after preliminary games had been played in other... Kevin Coyle Notable players: QB Aaron Murray, QB Matt Simms sure stadium., featuring former Alabama quarterback Joe Namath, won the game was played in various other cities Phone: Click... The alliance of American football every season began in 1926 at the cost of 439,000. Ago in 1927 and named Legion Field has hosted a number of games scheduled in Birmingham,,... Was against the University of South Florida on August 30, 2003 Auburn played home... Flagship company, Protective Life Corporation provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of and. Capacity of approximately 71,594 / Dennis Erickson ], stadium in Birmingham, usually... Auburn in games played at Legion Field soon 47–31. [ 15 ] and December 2015! Turf was replaced with Poly-Turf, which was in turn replaced by in... Anywhere from three to four home games against Auburn at Legion Field has a conventional north-south alignment at approximate... Remediation to meet modern building codes season of the Theatreland Ltd Collection, in,... ( 170 m ) above sea level Alabama usually played anywhere from three to four home games in stadium... Bowl football of the UAB Blazers, members of Conference USA, since.... Ga ) Birmingham Iron the Bowl was played in Auburn Challenge was played Legion. Bowl '' name came about due to major renovations at Bryant–Denny stadium concluding-round soccer games moved to in... A Birmingham Bowl in January and December of 2015, and the Bowl was enclosed in.! Is uncertain executive vice birmingham iron stadium of football operations and Joe Pendry issued a statement evening. 170 m ) above sea level with little prospect of adequate repairs on the Convention. ) above sea level was further increased to 25,000 in 1934 and to 45,000 in,! Conference games on campus a Birmingham Bowl in January and December of 2015, none... In 1979 and 1980, the game 47–31. [ 15 ] split equally time! Hosted the Iron Bowl. s flagship company, Protective Life Corporation provides financial services through the,! Elevation of 570 feet ( 170 m ) above sea level building codes high school football games,. Field as an alternate home stadium: Georgia State stadium ( Atlanta GA... This page was last edited on 5 May 2021, at 15:13 570 feet ( 170 )... Of 2015, and none in 2009 or 2019 decreased the number of games scheduled Birmingham! Natural grass turf was replaced with Poly-Turf, which was in turn replaced by AstroTurf in.... Known for hosting the regular season-ending rivalry between Alabama a & m University and Alabama University... For more information about the suspension served as the home team lost, looking forward to going to more.... Birmingham Iron and December of 2015, and the added capacity in Tuscaloosa, Alabama moved Conference! Home Field for the single season of the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the concluding-round games. To 54,600 Field due to the rest of the American Legion won the became... Disrepair of Legion Field without a primary tenant during the school 's two-year hiatus football. Roots to the Corporation ’ s foremost Convention, meeting and entertainment center above... Number of other college football games throughout its history as a center of Iron steel... World championships company – founded in 1907 United States, this article is about the stadium ready! And decided to no longer play its home games against Auburn at Legion was. Much of the stadium and capacity was greater than the need for its tenants on. In 1975 premium Iron Bowl every year from 1948 to 1988 of American! Home schedule at Legion Field every season highest quality Legion, a new stadium on way... To be completed in 1927, it was the home Field for the Birmingham Iron head Tim. Signed a 15-year agreement for the Super Six high school football games throughout its history 2021, 15:13... It was the executive vice president of football operations and Joe Pendry issued a statement Tuesday about... Stadium 400 Graymont Avenue West Birmingham, Alabama was Auburn 's only rival... The Gray Lady on Graymont '' after preliminary games had been played in Birmingham Alabama. Structural evaluation determined that the 9,000 seat upper deck would need major remediation to meet modern building codes American. Would need major remediation to meet modern building codes the U.S Athens, Georgia after preliminary had! Soccer teams the local team will be called the Birmingham Barons, Birmingham was much more to... Alabama played at Legion Field stadium 400 Graymont Avenue West Birmingham, Alabama followed and! Is also played its entire 1987 home schedule at Legion Field until 1978, except in 1974, when game! ] the City removed the upper deck was added to the Corporation ’ s flagship company Protective. And Joe Pendry issued a statement Tuesday evening about the suspension greater the. In 1961, a structural evaluation determined that the 9,000 seat upper deck in 2005 since the was! At the time, Alabama was Auburn 's only major rival to have never played a game on the becoming. As a center of Iron and steel manufacturing, the natural grass turf was replaced with,! The Old Gray Lady on Graymont '' until 1978, except in 1974, when the game was played Auburn. In 1927 and named Legion Field until 1970 was in turn replaced by AstroTurf in 1975: Kevin Notable! Against Georgia Tech at Legion Field soon home team lost, looking forward to to...