Seating Capacity: 72319

Venue Type : Stadium

Longest Performance:
12.05.97 - #41 (8:08)

Home of the University of Miami Hurricanes for more than 60 years, the Orange Bowl has been the site of many historical football moments. In the early 1930’s a new stadium was needed for the University of Miami’s football program. In July 1936 the Hurricanes and the City of Miami reached an agreement to build a new stadium for the team. The stadium was completed one year later at a cost of $340,000, was originally known as Burdine Stadium, and had a capacity of 23,330. The Miami Hurricanes played their inaugural first game at the stadium on December 10, 1937 against Georgia. Like many stadiums throughout the country, the Hurricanes were a huge draw and therefore more seats were needed. In 1944, the stadium was enclosed when over 10,000 seats were added to the endzones bringing the capacity to 35,030. In 1947, an additional 25,000 seats were added raising the capacity to 60,000. Between 1950 and 1957 around 16,000 seats were installed completing the upper deck of the stadium.

In 1959, Burdine Stadium was renamed the Orange Bowl. The NFL’s Miami Dolphins played their first game at the stadium on September 2, 1966. The east end zone seats were removed in 1977, reducing the capacity to 75,500. By the 1980’s the Dolphins decided they wanted a stadium of their own. After the 1986 season they moved into Pro Player Stadium. Expansion of the VIP seating at the Orange Bowl and the addition of contour seats in the early 1990s reduced the capacity to 74,712. In 1994, completion of construction designed to improve handicap seating further reduced the capacity. Renovations in 1996 to accommodate Olympic soccer reduced the capacity to 72,319. The Orange Bowl has been the home to many memorable football games including five Super Bowl’s and eleven colligate football games that decided the national champion.

The Orange Bowl was demolished in 2008. The new home of the MLB's Florida Marlins will take its place in 2012.