A new era is about to begin at Colorado State. On August 26, the university’s football program will play its first regular season game at the new Colorado State stadium, an occasion that will not only be a major development for the university but also add a new wrinkle to the NCAA football facility landscape.
From 1968-2016, the Colorado State Rams called Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium their home. In 2015, the university took a major step by beginning construction on a new stadium. Anticipation has been building for the debut of the facility, as Colorado State has received plenty of support thus far.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Colorado State had sold out season memberships for two VIP areas of the stadium—the New Belgium Porch and the Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies Field Club. Added on to the project in 2016 after a $4.3 million contribution from New Belgium Brewing, the New Belgium porch is located at the north end of the stadium and features several amenities, including field-level drink rails and two bars.
The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of the Rockies Field Club, meanwhile is a field-level premium area at the 50-yard line. With 4,300 square feet of hospitality space, the area includes premium food and beverage service.
The response to those areas, as well as other premium spots throughout the stadium, has been one part of the sales equation for Colorado State leading up to the stadium’s opening. Earlier this month, the university revealed that it had sold out each of its 36,500 seats in the stadium for the opener, a total that included 10,000 seats reserved for students. According to numbers reported in The Coloradoan, Colorado State has sold 15,200 season tickets—a university record—plus 2,500 mini-plan offerings that include three home games.
Overall, the stadium will have a capacity of 41,000 and early indications are that it is resonating with the fans. However, like most state-of-the-art college facilities, the new Colorado State stadium will have plenty to offer for the players.
Thanks to the stadium, Colorado State football will now have a 9,100-square foot weight room, plus a new locker rooms. The $220 million cost for the project includes a $3 million practice facility that features the same type of synthetic playing surface that was installed at the new stadium.
After receiving a $20 million anonymous donation, Colorado State is dedicating its playing surface at the new stadium in honor of Sonny Lubick. However, a recent Denver Post story indicates that Colorado State could eventually obtain a naming rights partner for the stadium.
Such a change could occur down the road, but for now the focus will be on the stadium’s debut. Colorado State will face Oregon State for the first regular season at the facility on August 26. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 12:30 MT, and it will air on CBS Sports Network.
Renderings courtesy Colorado State University.
This article first appeared in the weekly Football Stadium Digest newsletter. Are you a subscriber? It’s free, and you’ll see features like this before they appear on the Web. Go here to subscribe to the Football Stadium Digest newsletter.