July 5, 2011

Past Venue: Rice Stadium

Houston, TX



Year opened: 1950
Capacity: 47,000, down from original capacity of 70,000

Names:
Houston Stadium
Rice Stadium

Pro football tenants:
Houston Oilers (AFL), 1965-67

Postseason games hosted:
Super Bowl VIII, Dolphins 24 Vikings 7, Jan. 13, 1974

Other tenants of note:
Rice University, 1950 to date
Univ. of Houston, 1951-64

Notes: Hosted AFL All-Star game, Jan. 15, 1966. Hosted annual Bluebonnet Bowl, 1959-67, 85-86. Unlike many college stadiums, this venue was built for football only – there is no track ringing the playing field. Grass field was replaced with Astroturf in 1970 and FieldTurf in 2006. Stadium capacity reduced by covering end zone seats with tarps, allowing for reversion to original capacity if necessary.

Fate: Still in use.