Kroger Field is the home of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Constructed in 1973 and originally called Commonwealth Stadium, the facility had a capacity of 57,800. It was completed at a cost of $12 million by the firm of Huber, Hunt, and Nichols. The stadium and parking areas rest on an 86-acre plot that was once part of the UK Experimental Station Farm Grounds.
The stadium was officially opened on Sept. 15, 1973, as the Wildcats moved into their new home after spending 48 years at Stoll Field/McLean Stadium across from Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky defeated Virginia Tech in the stadium opener, 31-26, as quarterback Ernie Lewis ran for two touchdowns and threw for another TD to lead the Wildcats.
In 1999, both ends of the stadium were enclosed, along with the construction of 40 suites, 10 in each corner of the stadium. The total number of seats was increased to 67,606.
Additional features of the stadium expansion included two Mitsubishi Diamond Vision video boards, a new sound system, new scoreboards, additional restrooms and concession stands, and new concourse televisions.
The architect of the expansion was HNTB of Kansas City, Missouri, and Turner Construction of Cincinnati, Ohio, managed the construction. A total of $27.6 million was allocated for the stadium project.
There was one change for 2005 as a beautiful new Bermuda grass playing surface was installed. The playing area is titled C. M. Newton Grounds, named after the former UK director of athletics in 2001. Newton’s name remained associated with the playing surface when the stadium was renamed Kroger Field in 2017.
In July 2011, a significant audio and video upgrade was completed including two LED video boards each measuring approximately 37 feet high by 80 feet wide (2,960 square feet), making each display the 20th-largest scoreboard in the country. Additionally, a new custom audio system and over 1,800 linear sq/ft of video ribbon board was in September 2011. The approximate cost of these upgrades was $6 million.
In 2015, the stadium underwent a $126 million renovation. The renovation includes a new press box, loge box seats, club seats, recruiting room, suites, concourses, bathrooms, lights and exterior facade while reducing capacity to around 61,000.
Since its opening, Kentucky has played 206 games within the friendly confines of Kroger Field. And indeed, a 107-95-4 record and a .529 winning percentage is evidence that Kroger Field is a home-field advantage for the Wildcats.
Excellent attendance figures also have gone hand in hand with Kentucky football and Kroger Field. The Wildcats have averaged 56,527 fans in those 213 contests at Kroger Field. In fact, 12,040,330 spectators have witnessed Kentucky football at Kroger Field – that’s almost three times the population of Kentucky.
The 10 millionth person to attend a UK football game came during the 2002 season opener against Texas-El Paso. The five-millionth person to attend a game at Kroger Field was Jack Crowe, who walked through the gate as number five million on Oct. 3, 1987, as Kentucky played host to Ohio.
Address:
1540 University Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0222
Facility Facts
Kroger Field
Capacity: Approx. 61,000
Kroger Field seats approximately 61,000, creating an intimate game-day atmosphere and the best possible home-field advantage for Kentucky football.
Driving Directions
Address:
1540 University Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0222
From Bluegrass Parkway
When the Parkway ends you exit right onto route 60 (Versailles Road), go approximately 10 miles and turn right on Mason Headley Road beside Cardinal Hill Hospital. Continue straight through the lights, you will pass a golf course and the Campbell House Inn. At the light continue straight through the intersection onto Waller Ave. along side St. Joseph’s Hospital. Pass over the railroad tracks and continue straight through the light to the intersection of Nicholasville Rd. and Cooper Drive. Kroger Field is located on the right hand side.
Going South I-75/I-64 E or W towards Lexington
Take exit 113 (marked Paris/Lexington), turn right off the exit ramp onto N. Broadway (U.S. 68), and continue through downtown for approximately 6 miles. After Logan’s Steakhouse take a left at the intersection onto Waller Ave. along side St. Joseph Hospital. Pass over the railroad tracks and continue straight through the light at the intersection of Nicholasville Rd. to Cooper Drive. Kroger Field is located on the right hand side.
Going North on I-75 from Knoxville
Take exit 104 (marked Athens/ Lexington), turn left off of the ramp onto Athens Boonesboro Road. Take a left at the intersection of Richmond Rd. & Man O’ War. Follow Man O’ War to the intersection at Alumni Dr. and take a right. Follow Alumni Drive through the Tates Creek intersection. Kroger Field is located on the right hand side.
Parking Information
Season Parking Permits
For more information about football season parking permits, policies, non-permit visitor parking, accessible parking and shuttle options, click here.
Single-Game Parking
While many of the parking lots surrounding Kroger Field are sold on a season permit basis, plenty of non-permit visitor parking/shuttle options do exist. For more information about single-game parking policies, non-permit visitor parking, accessible parking, and shuttle options, please click here.
Parking Maps
Facilities Map
Football Seating Chart
Including a “View from the seats”, click here to see the virtual tours of Kroger Field.
Seating Options
Click here to view season ticket seating options.
K Fund Seating Chart
Click here for the K Fund seating chart.
