Stadium Central

Here at the beginning of football season, what are the interesting changes in the world of stadiums? Certainly, the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis must top the list. The open air version displayed on the opening Sunday night game between the Colts and the Bears was an interesting look, though I didn't realize that the roof and end facade was open until it was explicitly shown to be so. Views from before the game that showed a closed roof made me wonder whether they would ever open the roof, but fortunately the roof was opened for the game. As discussed by John Madden and Al Michaels on the broadcast, the new stadium has much more of an architectural look than older stadiums such as the adjacent RCA Dome. The brick facade attempts to blend in with surrounding buildings. Without a doubt, Lucas Oil Stadium goes down as a big improvement for the Colts. Next year, the NFL world awaits the opening of new Texas Stadium, currently projected as the biggest and most expensive stadium in the country. The fall of 2010 will welcome the new Meadowlands Stadium, a venue that will threaten the reign of Cowboys Stadium as the most expensive.

In the college world, the expansion at Darrel Royal Stadium at the University of Texas probably ranks as the biggest story. This expansion put seats behind the north end zone and increased capacity to 94,000. Rutgers Stadium is also going through an expansion, adding suites and club level seats this year, with construction behind the South End Zone foreshadowing an enclosed venue by 2009.