Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas is home to the Sun Bowl football game, the El Paso Locomotive FC soccer team, and various concerts and events throughout the year. With a total seating capacity of 51,500, Sun Bowl Stadium can fit thousands of cheering fans to watch exciting sporting events and live entertainment.
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Sun Bowl Stadium has a total seating capacity of 51,500 for football games and other events. The stadium contains 36,000 permanent seats, with the ability to add 15,500 temporary bleacher seats when needed. At maximum capacity, over 50,000 screaming fans can cheer on their favorite teams and music acts at Sun Bowl Stadium.
History of Sun Bowl Stadium
Sun Bowl Stadium first opened in September 1963 as a venue for hosting the Sun Bowl football game. Originally containing 30,000 permanent seats, the first major expansion came in 1982 which increased the seating to 50,000. Further renovations in 2001 reduced the permanent seating to the current 36,000 seats in order to add luxury boxes and club seating.
While Sun Bowl Stadium is best known as the host site of the annual Sun Bowl game, usually played on or around New Year’s Eve, it has also hosted the El Paso Patriots professional football team, the Notre Dame-Texas Tech football game of 1969, 3 NFL exhibition games, and various famous concerts such as The Rolling Stones, U2, Pink Floyd, and many more.
Notable Sun Bowl Stadium Concerts
Some of the most famous musical acts to perform at Sun Bowl Stadium include:
- The Rolling Stones – 1994
- U2 – 1997
- Pink Floyd – 1987
- Eagles – 1995
- KISS – 1998
Seating Capacity and Layout
The seating capacity of Sun Bowl Stadium includes:
- 36,000 permanent seats
- Ability to add 15,500 temporary bleacher seats
- 38 private suites
- 1,000 club seats
This allows for a maximum capacity of 51,500 for larger events. The addition of luxury suites and club seating in the 2001 renovation reduced the permanent seating from the previous 50,000 seats down to today’s 36,000.
Seating Sections
The seating bowl of Sun Bowl Stadium contains three main sections:
- Lower Level Seats – Over 20,000 permanent seats located closest to the field.
- Upper Level Seats – 16,000 permanent seats in the upper deck surrounding the top of the stadium.
- Temporary Seats – Bleacher seats can be added along the end zones when needed to increase capacity to over 50,000.
Field Level
In addition to the extensive seating, the field level of Sun Bowl Stadium contains:
- Football field – 120 yards long by 53.3 yards wide.
- Locker rooms – Located under the stands for the home and visiting teams.
- Media facilities – Spaces for press conferences and reporter work stations.
- Concession stands – Over 20 concession stands located on the concourse.
- Restrooms – Men’s and women’s restrooms spread throughout the stadium.
This field level allows fans to easily access food, drinks, restrooms, and more without missing any of the action on the field.
How Full Can Sun Bowl Stadium Get?
When filled to maximum capacity, Sun Bowl Stadium can fit a massive crowd. Here’s a look at just how many fans can fill the stadium:
| Seating Section | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Lower Level Seats | 20,000 |
| Upper Level Seats | 16,000 |
| Temporary Seating | 15,500 |
| Total Capacity | 51,500 |
With over 50,000 loud and passionate fans packed into the stands, the atmosphere is electric whenever Sun Bowl Stadium is filled to capacity for a big game or major concert.
Sun Bowl Stadium filled to capacity during a football game.
Notable Full Capacity Events
Some of the most notable events that have maxed out the capacity at Sun Bowl Stadium include:
- The Rolling Stones concert – 1993
- UCLA vs. Texas football game – 2010
- West Virginia vs. UCLA football game – 2000
- Alice Cooper/Van Halen concert – 1978
- Texas vs. Oregon football game – 2013
The energetic atmosphere of a full house at Sun Bowl Stadium is an unforgettable experience for sports and music fans alike.
Future Expansion Plans
While Sun Bowl Stadium already boasts an impressive capacity over 50,000, there are hopes to expand it even further in the future. Potential expansion projects include:
- Adding a second tier of luxury suites and club seating
- Constructing standing room areas with drink rails
- Building an upper deck over the south end zone
- Increasing permanent seating while still allowing temporary seating to reach 60,000+ capacity for special events
By increasing seating and modern amenities, Sun Bowl Stadium aims to remain a top-tier venue for large events and continue hosting big games and acts in the future.
Benefits of Expanding Sun Bowl Stadium
Expanding Sun Bowl Stadium offers many benefits such as:
- Allowing more fans to attend big games and concerts
- Increasing revenue from ticket sales
- Attracting major events needing a high-capacity venue
- Improving fan experience with new seating options and amenities
- Enhancing reputation as a premier destination stadium
Conclusion
With a total capacity of over 50,000 screaming fans, Sun Bowl Stadium is one of the largest and most exciting venues in the region. The stadium has hosted countless memorable games and performances since opening in 1963. While standing room crowds over 50,000 are already impressive, future expansion plans aim to increase the seating even more and cement Sun Bowl Stadium’s status as a world-class stadium for decades to come.
