Lincoln Financial Field
On the 7th of May 2001, construction crews began work on a new stadium in South Philadelphia. The project replaced Veterans Stadium, which had opened in 1971 and served as the home for both the Eagles and Phillies through 2003. Two years of building followed before the facility officially opened on the 3rd of August 2003. Public funding played a major role in this development. The City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contributed approximately $188 million to the total cost. In June 2002, naming rights were sold to the Lincoln Financial Group for $139.6 million over 21 years. This agreement gave the financial firm exclusive branding rights while the city retained ownership of the structure. The Eagles lease the stadium from the city as the sole operator, giving them full control over daily operations. Additional funds came from selling builder's licenses required to purchase season tickets for premium seating areas.
The stadium design evokes the team's namesake eagle with wing-like canopies above the east and west stands. An Eagle's Nest balcony sits beyond the north end zone. Dark green seats patterned with the primary eagle logo fill the upper deck of the east and west sections. Three open corners provide fans with views of the Philadelphia skyline and the field below. A brick façade references historic architecture throughout the city, while exposed steel structures evoke local bridges and future possibilities. Major upgrades began in late spring 2013 with an estimated value exceeding $125 million. These improvements included seating expansion, two new HD video boards, upgraded amenities, WiFi, and connecting bridges for upper levels. Most changes including WiFi coverage for 45,000 users finished by the 2013 home opener. Upgraded sound systems and video boards were completed for the 2014 season. There are currently 172 luxury suites ranging from 12 to 40 people costing between $75,000 and $300,000 annually or $20,000 per single game rental.
Lincoln Financial Field hosted its first ticketed event on the 3rd of August 2003, a soccer match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona. The Eagles played their first regular-season NFL game here on the 8th of September 2003 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That game ended with a 17-0 shutout loss for Philadelphia. Joe Jurevicius scored the stadium's first touchdown in the third quarter of that contest. A memorable playoff moment occurred on the 11th of January 2004 during the Divisional Playoff game against Green Bay. Donovan McNabb connected on a 28-yard pass to Freddie Mitchell on fourth-and-26 late in the fourth quarter. This play led to a game-tying field goal sending the match into overtime where Brett Favre threw an interception to Brian Dawkins. David Akers kicked the game-deciding 37-yard field goal to send the Eagles to their third straight NFC Championship Game. The facility has hosted five Army-Navy Games since 2003 due to Philadelphia's location halfway between both service academies. Temple University pays the Eagles $3 million annually to host home games at this venue as of February 2020.
The stadium opened its doors to international soccer with 68,396 attending a preseason friendly where Manchester United defeated Barcelona 3-1. It hosted matches during the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup including group stage games drawing crowds like 31,553 spectators for one match. The U.S. women's national team played ten matches across the country from September to December 2004 as part of a Fan Celebration Tour. Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, and Julie Foudy all retired after these appearances. On the 6th of November 2004, the team lost 3-1 to Denmark in front of 14,812 fans. Major concerts have filled the venue repeatedly since opening. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band drew 139,318 attendees over three nights on the 8th of August 9, and 11, 2003 during The Rising Tour generating $10,342,060 in revenue. Taylor Swift performed multiple sold-out shows including her Reputation Stadium Tour which brought in $11,951,047 across two nights in July 2018. Kenny Chesney has returned many times with tours like The Poets and Pirates Tour and The Big Revival Tour each bringing over $4 million in ticket sales.
The stadium appears prominently in the opening scenes of the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It also features in the second episode of season 3 of that series. A fictional destruction occurs in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live where U.S. Air Force pilot Donald Okafor kills 4,000 Marines including his own wife via airstrike on the ruins. Real-world controversies emerged early regarding food policies. For the inaugural 2003 season, Eagles imposed a ban on hoagies and cheesesteaks citing security concerns after September 11 attacks. This restriction lasted only one week before fan mockery and media pressure forced its removal. Tailgating rules changed significantly before the first game of the 2007 season. Tables and tents were banned along with purchasing more than one parking spot per vehicle. Prices doubled to $40 for RVs and buses while cars cost $20. Fans expressed frustration over these new restrictions. The venue hosted WrestleMania XL on April 6 and 7, 2024 marking the first pro-wrestling event held at this location. In October 2025, an HBCU rivalry game between Delaware State University and Norfolk State University took place during rainy conditions as Hurricane Melissa moved past the Atlantic coast.
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Common questions
When did construction begin on Lincoln Financial Field?
Construction crews began work on the new stadium in South Philadelphia on the 7th of May 2001. The project replaced Veterans Stadium which had opened in 1971 and served as the home for both the Eagles and Phillies through 2003.
How much money did the City of Philadelphia contribute to build Lincoln Financial Field?
The City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contributed approximately $188 million to the total cost of the facility. Public funding played a major role in this development alongside private naming rights sold to the Lincoln Financial Group for $139.6 million over 21 years.
What was the first ticketed event held at Lincoln Financial Field?
Lincoln Financial Field hosted its first ticketed event on the 3rd of August 2003 during a soccer match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona. The venue officially opened two days earlier on the 3rd of August 2003 after two years of building.
Who scored the first touchdown in Lincoln Financial Field history?
Joe Jurevicius scored the stadium's first touchdown in the third quarter of the Eagles first regular-season NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That game took place on the 8th of September 2003 and ended with a 17-0 shutout loss for Philadelphia.
When did Lincoln Financial Field host WrestleMania XL?
The venue hosted WrestleMania XL on April 6 and 7, 2024 marking the first pro-wrestling event held at this location. This event occurred more than twenty years after the facility officially opened in 2003.