Gator Bowl Stadium
Fairfield Stadium opened its doors in 1927 with a seating capacity of 7,600. This structure served as the home field for three new high schools: Lee, Jackson, and Landon. Florida Governor John W. Martin praised the venue at its opening. He called it "the best place in Florida to watch a football game!" The facility stood ready to host local youth competitions throughout the late 1920s.
On the 1st of January 1946, the stadium received national attention when it hosted the first Gator Bowl game. Officials expanded the seating to 16,000 seats by 1948. They renamed the structure the Gator Bowl shortly after that expansion. Prior to the 1949 game, the seating capacity grew to 36,058. That number remained stable until 1957. The venue also hosted the annual Florida, Georgia game between the University of Georgia and the University of Florida from 1933 to 1993. It held the 1950 Senior Bowl, which marked the first game in that bowl's history.
The World Football League placed the Jacksonville Sharks here in 1974. The Jacksonville Express played their season within these walls during 1975. A North American Soccer League team known as the Jacksonville Tea Men occupied the space from 1981 to 1984. The United States Football League brought the Jacksonville Bulls to this location for two years, spanning 1984 to 1985. These professional franchises utilized the existing infrastructure to host their matches before the league folded or relocated.
The Beatles played a concert at the Gator Bowl on the 11th of September 1964. They refused to play there unless they allowed the audience to be desegregated. John Lennon stated, "We never play to segregated audiences and we aren't going to start now." He added that he would rather lose their appearance money than compromise his principles. Paul McCartney went on record about their disapproval of the situation. City officials relented after the band's threat. The concert was held the day after Hurricane Dora struck St. Augustine and Jacksonville. Most of Jacksonville was without electricity and power was not restored for several days. Despite the hurricane, 23,000 fans attended, paying $4 and $5 for tickets. During the concert, Ringo Starr's drumkit was nailed to the stage because of the 45 mph winds.
The historic structure was almost entirely razed in 1994 as part of a massive remodeling effort. This process essentially built a new stadium from scratch. The new facility was renamed Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Almost none of the original infrastructure remains today. Only the west upper deck and the ramping system survive from the old era. That upper deck had been added in 1982. While Jacksonville Municipal Stadium was being constructed, the Florida, Georgia game alternated between the two schools' home stadiums. Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium hosted the event in 1994. Georgia's Sanford Stadium hosted it in 1995. Both games returned to Jacksonville the following season.
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Common questions
When did Fairfield Stadium open and what was its initial seating capacity?
Fairfield Stadium opened in 1927 with a seating capacity of 7,600. This structure served as the home field for three new high schools: Lee, Jackson, and Landon.
What year did the stadium host the first Gator Bowl game and when was it renamed?
The stadium received national attention on the 1st of January 1946 when it hosted the first Gator Bowl game. Officials expanded the seating to 16,000 seats by 1948 and renamed the structure the Gator Bowl shortly after that expansion.
Which professional football teams played at the Gator Bowl between 1974 and 1985?
The World Football League placed the Jacksonville Sharks here in 1974 while the Jacksonville Express played their season within these walls during 1975. The United States Football League brought the Jacksonville Bulls to this location for two years spanning 1984 to 1985.
Why did The Beatles refuse to play at the Gator Bowl until desegregation occurred?
John Lennon stated they never played to segregated audiences and would rather lose appearance money than compromise his principles. City officials relented after the band's threat allowing the concert to proceed on the 11th of September 1964.
When was the original Gator Bowl Stadium demolished and what parts remain today?
The historic structure was almost entirely razed in 1994 as part of a massive remodeling effort. Only the west upper deck added in 1982 and the ramping system survive from the old era.