Harvard Stadium - Harvard Crimson
- Paul Baker
- Sep 27
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 30
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Harvard Stadium
95 N Harvard St
Boston, MA 02134
Year Opened: 1903
Capacity: 30,323
Harvard’s Yard
Built in 1903, Harvard Stadium was the nation’s first stadium built for college football. Containing architectural elements of a Greek stadium and Roman circus, it is considered an engineering marvel, as it was the world’s first massive reinforced concrete structure. Harvard Stadium is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is one of just four athletic arenas to be so designated. A gift from Harvard's Class of 1879 for their 25th anniversary, Harvard Stadium only took 4 months to build at a cost of $310,000.
The physical layout of Harvard Stadium is quite significant to the way football is played today. When college football's rules committee met to discuss ways to make the game less violent and dangerous in 1906, one of the rules changes considered was widening the field by 40 feet. Since widening Harvard Stadium was an impossibility, and the committee felt that losing the prestigious Harvard team would be a death-knell to the fledgling sport, the committee decided to adopt the forward pass instead.
Over the years, Harvard Stadium has been more than just a home to Crimson football. The stadium was home to Harvard hockey until World War I. The New England Patriots called Harvard Stadium home in 1970 and 1971, as did the Boston Cannons lacrosse team in 2007.
The trials for the US Olympic Track and Field team were held here in 1912, 1920, 1924, and 1928. Several soccer games for the 1984 Olympics were held at Harvard Stadium. Artists as diverse as Bob Marley, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Mountain and James Taylor have performed here. Janis Joplin performed her last show here before she died in 1970.
Harvard first sponsored a football team in 1873 and was one of college football’s dominant teams in the early years of the sport, as the Crimson won twelve national championships between 1873 and 1920. Today, Harvard still ranks in the top ten in all-time wins in college football. Over their history, Harvard has won 19 Ivy League titles and has had 21 alumni enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. 39 Crimson alumni have played in the National Football League.
Food & Beverage 5
When they were building Harvard Stadium around the turn of the century (and I’m talking about the 20th century here), it’s doubtful that concessions were considered in any part of the planning process. In the stadium proper, there are a few small concession stands tucked into tight spaces underneath the grandstand. Fans can get some basic snacks here, including hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and snack items.
To experience the best concessions experience at a Harvard football game, check out one of the many food trucks parked near the entrance to the stadium by the Gordon Indoor Track Building. Here, fans will find a good variety of food served up by local favorites such as The Sausage Guy, Rockin’ Burgers, Trolley Dogs, and Berry Sweets. In addition to food from these Boston legends, fans can pick up chicken tenders, ice cream, fried Oreos, and more at the many portable stands set up here.
Coca-Cola products are featured at Harvard Stadium. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find several stands selling a selection of wine and beers, featuring several varieties from local favorite Sam Adams.
Atmosphere 5
Fans going to the century old Harvard Stadium expecting to experience a truly old-school game day presentation will undoubtedly be disappointed that the experience here is pretty similar to what you’ll find at every other football game across the country. While there are plenty of traditions that are honored, if you close your eyes, you could be almost anywhere, given the noise and shenanigans going on here on the banks of the Charles River.
There are a lot of modern touches in this old place. The new sound system is excellent, and the volume is turned way up. The Crimson uses a pair of on-field hosts who aren’t afraid to scream into their microphones. They lead the in-game shenanigans, and surprisingly, a lot is going on when the play is stopped. Promos happen all game long, including videos on the board on the Murr Center roof.
Cheerleaders do pushups in the end zone after Crimson scores and throw t-shirts into the stands. The Harvard band plays throughout the game, and game stats are displayed on ribbon boards mounted on the façade of the Murr Center. It’s a sensory overload you wouldn’t expect at stuffy old Harvard University.
Much like the Ivy that grows on the façade of the Murr Center, reminders of Harvard’s decades of football history are all around you. The Dillon Quad is open before the game for food, beverages, games, and of course, merchandise. Players walk Dillon Quad into the stadium pre-game and enter the field through the closed end of the field to “Ten Thousand Men of Harvard” performed by the band. In a facility like this, you just can’t help but feel the history, no matter how many modern touches may soften the stadium’s concrete seats.
Neighborhood 4
Before or after a game at Harvard Stadium, take a walk across the Anderson Memorial Bridge, which spans the Charles River, and explore Harvard Square, a top Boston tourist destination. While Harvard Square may not be the bohemian center it once was, it still is one of the most popular areas in Boston for walking, shopping, and people watching.
For those wishing to bask in the history, architecture, and aura of Harvard, walking tours of the campus occur regularly. While touring the campus, take a picture in front of the statue of John Harvard, as so many others have done. Just remember these three things about the statue: 1) it is not actually a statue of John Harvard (no image of him exists), but of a random student; 2) John Harvard was not the founder of the college, but its first benefactor; and 3) the college was actually founded in 1636, not in 1638, as the statue claims. But remember to rub his shiny shoe, it is rumored to bring good luck.
For the longest time, there wasn’t a whole lot to do in the area right around the stadium on the Allston side of the Charles River. That is changing, as the area has seen a fair bit of development. Now, eateries including Sloane’s and FiDO Pizza, within walking distance of the Stadium, provide visiting fans with some options. Of course, downtown Boston is just a couple of miles away, should you want to explore one of the great cities in the country.
Fans 4
Harvard averages between 10,000 and 11,000 fans per game every year, a figure that ranks them in the top twenty FCS schools in attendance annually. During the years when Harvard hosts “The Game” versus Yale, this figure increases accordingly. Unfortunately, even a large crowd of 20,000 leaves a lot of space in this gigantic concrete hulk of a stadium.
You’ll find a cross-section of Boston sports fandom at Harvard Stadium, from assorted alumni who have been coming to games since they were in school to townies and other casual sports fans. There’s also a really good turnout from the student body on any given Saturday. With the compact footprint of the Ivy League, expect a decent turnout from visiting fans as well.
The size of the crowd you will see at Harvard Stadium will depend greatly on the opponent. Traditionally, if you are there for the biannual edition of “The Game” against Yale, expect a sold-out stadium and one of the legendary college football experiences in the nation. If Harvard is hosting Ivy League rival Princeton or neighbor Brown, expect a crowd in the neighborhood of 15,000 fans. Otherwise, you’ll see around 6,000-8,000 fans per game at a Crimson game – attendance figures most schools would die for.
Access 3
While Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard Stadium is located across the Charles River, in the Allston section of Boston. Also located here are most of Harvard’s other athletic facilities, including Lavietes Pavilion, Bright-Landry Hockey Center, O’Donnell Field, and Jordan Field.
Anyone who has ever tried to drive the crowded, crooked streets of Greater Boston can tell you that you are better off leaving your car at home and taking public transportation. The same is true for getting to Harvard Stadium. Stadium Journey’s recommended method of travel to Harvard is the subway, or “T”, as it is called locally. The Harvard Station MBTA stop is a 10-minute walk from the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. Several bus routes also stop at Harvard Station. The 66 and 86 buses stop directly in front of the athletic complex. For more information, fares, and schedules, check out the MBTA website.
If you do insist on driving to Harvard Stadium, the most direct route is to take Storrow Drive to North Harvard Street. Parking is available throughout the Athletic Complex. Cars are jammed into seemingly every available space in the complex. Tailgating is only allowed in certain areas, so reserve your spots and arrive early.
Harvard Stadium is an enormous concrete horseshoe. Fans will enter the stadium underneath the grandstand into an open concourse, where concession stands and restrooms can be found. Just keep in mind that the facility is over a century old and does look it in some spots, so fans should tread carefully.
Stairs lead up to the seating bowl, emptying about a quarter of the way up the grandstand. All of the seats here are concrete bleachers, so bring some padding to protect your backside. Fans requiring handicapped seating can access the accessible seating area via a ramp located on the open (north) end of the horseshoe. All seats feature excellent views of the action.
Return on Investment 2
Tickets to Harvard football games are sold for $25, with youth and seniors discounted to $20. Certain premium games (selected conference games) have premium ticket prices - $31. If you are looking for tickets for “The Game,” the biannual game against Yale, expect to pay significantly more (and be sure to get your tickets well in advance). Parking in the many lots located throughout the athletic complex will run you $20. Again, it is highly recommended that you purchase in advance.
Concessions, while not exorbitantly so, feel like they are a bit on the high side for this level of football. Everything is just a little more expensive at Harvard.
Extras 4
Banners commemorating Harvard’s national and Ivy League championships are located on the façade of the stadium’s interior at field level.
The Harvard band’s big bass drum measures 8 feet across and is large enough to warrant its own name – Bertha. It is the largest playable natural skin-based drum in the world. In the past, the drum has been stolen by rival bands from Yale and Brown, and its giant drumstick was stolen during a game in 1963 by students from Columbia.
The field at Harvard Stadium has been dedicated in honor of Tim Murphy, who was the Crimson’s head football coach from 1994 to 2023. He retired as the all-time winningest coach in Harvard and Ivy League history, with 200 wins.
An extra point is awarded for Harvard Stadium itself, one of four stadiums in the nation to be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Final Thoughts
These days, many things that are simply “old” are designated as “historic.” In the case of Harvard Stadium, while the facility is certainly the former, it is definitely the latter. A game at Harvard is a juxtaposition of traditional and modern touches, where modern gameday shenanigans meet old-timey stodginess. No matter which approach you prefer, a visit to the banks of the Charles River should be on the bucket list for any serious college football fan.
Comments