Robert W. Plaster Stadium - Missouri State Bears
Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex 1015 E Grand St Springfield, MO 65897
Year Opened: 1941
Capacity: 17,500
Mo State
The Missouri State Bears have come a long way since their days in the NCAA’s Division II. The football program here began in 1909 and later spent 43 years in the FCS, before Mo State joined the FBS and Conference USA in 2025. Robert W. Plaster Stadium underwent some massive renovations as part of the transition, and now boasts new field turf, enhanced concessions, and upgraded LED lighting. The new lighting is even used as part of the game day atmosphere – the lights are strobed and the stadium darkened at key moments in the game, including before kickoff and at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Other amenities include features such as fireworks, drone shows, and two different party areas, creating a wonderful football experience for your visit to Springfield, Missouri.
Food & Beverage 4
There is a wide variety of concession options at Plaster Stadium, including burgers, brats, hot dogs, BBQ nachos, wraps, and even loaded baked potatoes, which are not something you see at many sports arenas. There are also pretzels, chips, candy, nacho chips with cheese, and popcorn served in a football-shaped bowl, as well as flavored popcorn and other snack options.
The concessions vary a little – there are slightly different options sold in the different seating areas, although they are mostly the same. For example, in the double and triple letter sections on the west side (upper level), the two stands in the middle offer wraps, spuds, and BBQ nachos, while the two stands on the ends trade these for burgers. The concession prices are also a little higher here than you might see at other stadiums, for example $12 for a burger and $8 for a pretzel with cheese.
In addition to these concessions, there is also the Bud Light End Zone on the south side, featuring Anheuser-Busch products in custom-branded Mo State cans. Soda, bottled water, hot cocoa, and a variety of alcoholic beverages (including beer, canned cocktails, and seltzer) are also available throughout the facility.
Atmosphere 5
Plaster Stadium has a great atmosphere on game day. There is a great tailgating scene outside the venue, as well as a party platform on the east side known as The Clif. There are also a few standing areas on that side, along with the student section and the Missouri State band. The mascot spends his time on that side as well, helping keep the fans engaged.
Missouri State has a great band with a huge number of performers, including a fantastic halftime show with a lot of props. The flag twirlers surround the members of the band as they go through their routines, such as spelling out M-S-U in script and forming the school logo. Before kickoff the band creates two triangles for the team to run through when they take the field. The logos around the field really pop, including the retired numbers displayed on the east side, and there are also letters spelling out MO STATE across the seats on the west side.
However, the best part of the evening is really the fireworks – when they play the National Anthem, the staff fires off red, white, and blue rockets from the top of the east side. The display continues every time the Bears score, and they also have unique performances for certain games, such as a Halloween-themed drone show during my most recent visit. The staff also offers special concessions and merchandise giveaways on particular weekends.
Neighborhood 5
Springfield, Missouri is known as the Queen City of the Ozarks, but also as the birthplace of the famed Route 66. There are signs all over town celebrating the famous highway, which was established in 1926 and ran through eight states from Chicago to Santa Monica, spanning almost 2,500 miles. Fun fact: Chapman Stadium, home of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, is the only FBS Stadium that actually sits along the original route – there are even markers embedded in the sidewalk next to the stadium to mark it.
When it comes to football in Springfield, however, BearFest Village is the central pre-game tailgating, entertainment, and food truck hub for Mo State. BearFest Village is directly north of Plaster Stadium, with both located right on campus. Students even have their own section, and 2 hours before kickoff all the fans here line up to form a tunnel for the band, pep squad, mascot, and football team to walk through on their way into the stadium – be sure to get there early if you would like to participate.
After the game, a few great spots to check out are Ebbets Field Restaurant & Pub, a nod to the Brooklyn Dodgers and known for its burgers and wings, or Pappy’s Place for Ozark pit BBQ, a more hickory and vinegar version than its more well-known Kansas City and St. Louis BBQ cousins. There are also plenty of hotels in the area across all price ranges; near the stadium you can find everything from Best Western on the low end to Moxy (downtown) or Walnut Street Inn (bed and breakfast) on the high end. There is also a Buc-ee’s location in Springfield, if you are a fan of the famous chain and happen to be traveling along I-44.
Fans 3
Mo State has a great fan base, with most fans decked out in Bears Maroon. Because the team plays in Conference USA, you may see some home games scheduled on Tuesday or Wednesday nights, which don’t draw as many fans as you will see on a typical Saturday.
Plaster Stadium has a capacity of 17,500, with attendance lately averaging over 12,000 per game – the stadium might not be full every game, but there will be plenty of crowd noise. The students and fans on the east side tend to be the most engaged and loudest, but those standing in the Bud Light End Zone on the south side just might give them a run for their money.
Access 3
Getting to Plaster Stadium is pretty easy, with not too much traffic and plenty of parking right around the stadium, even if you arrive close to kickoff. The closest parking is reserved for those with suite tickets, but you should always be able to find room in the parking deck a couple blocks from the venue, at a cost of $20 (although on my last visit they didn’t make me pay).
Once you get inside the facility, however, the access is a little wonky. The seating is divided into three separate zones, and you can’t move between them once you enter, as re-entry is not allowed. The first zone is the upper deck (double and triple letter sections), which you enter from behind the west side. You have to walk up the ramp (or use the elevator) to get to the second level before they scan your ticket.
The second zone is the lower level on the west side, with entry at ground level on the north or south ends. Individuals seated in this zone are the only ones who can walk over and access the Bud Light End Zone, so make sure you pay attention to what ticket you buy if you want to sit in a certain place.
The third zone is the east side, with its own entrances on that side. The east side includes The Clif, as mentioned above, as well as a few standing areas if you prefer not to sit. I did appreciate the layout on the east side, as they have walls and no seating in front of the stairs, so your view can’t be blocked by those going up and down.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets start at around $20 to attend football games at Plaster Stadium, which is a steal for the atmosphere you will find here; students get in for free, which is a nice plus. While concessions are on the high end and parking may not be free, $20 is on the low end for FBS football. For that price you will also get to see fireworks throughout the game, great performances by the band and pep squad, a fun mascot, and potentially additional shows or features as well, depending on the game. There is also a fun crowd, and the opportunity to rock out in one of two party areas inside the facility.
Extras 4
While most of the seating at Plaster Stadium is bleachers without backs, the upper deck does offer some chairback benches, painted maroon so they are easy to spot – these are located in the middle-most triple letter sections (back portion of the upper deck), as well as in all the double letter sections (first few rows of upper deck).
There are also several team gear stands inside the venue; some of them are satellite stands with a smaller selection, but it isn’t a far walk to find one of the main stands, which offer a few more items.
Final Thoughts
I would absolutely recommend a visit to Plaster Stadium to see the Missouri State Bears. In the past this might not have been considered a bucket-list sports destination, but things are really looking up lately for Mo State, and their move to the FBS has really changed the game here. The facility is much improved since its FCS days, and though the access may be a little stilted, if you pick the right seats you will have a fabulous time. Go Bears!
