The stadium was actually cut out of the desert and built between two mountain buttes, in the gap between the Tempe buttes. Are you familiar with it? Yes, we are referring to Mountain America Stadium, the home field of Arizona State.

In the mid-1950s, the football team at Arizona State University, ASU Sun Devils, decided to construct a stadium. It was completed in time for the start of the 1958 season. However, the stadium’s enthralling atmosphere today is the product of four straight expansions and renovations. So, the question remains, what is the stadium’s current seating capacity?

When Arizona State defeated West Texas State in the Mountain America Stadium’s inaugural game on October 4, 1958, it could accommodate 30,000 spectators. The stadium needed a lot of additions made after it opened. Beginning in 1976, it was enlarged to house over 57,000 people. The capacity was increased to about 70,000 after the upper deck was finished the following year. But now, following a number of modifications, the stadium’s capacity has been reduced from a peak of 70k to a mere 53,599 seats. In fact, like its number of seats, its name also changed over time. What was the former name, then?

Sun Devil Athletics and Mountain America Credit Union have forged one of the most exciting naming rights agreements in collegiate athletics throughout the course of their multiyear partnership. As stated on “thesundevils.com,” the 15-year contract with Sun Devil Athletics is the largest in the department’s history. For over 60 years, the stadium was known as Sun Devil Stadium for this reason.

In August 2023, Mountain America Credit Union was granted a 15-year license by Arizona State. Thus, the stadium was renamed Mountain America Stadium. However, the fans prioritize the features of the stadium over its name, as their main concern is enjoying game days. Let’s dive deep into it.

Mountain America Stadium’s captivating facilities

Mountain America Stadium offers comfortable chairback seats with beverage holders, flat-screen televisions both inside and outside, and climate-controlled lounge spaces are features included in all club-level seats and suites. It also provides restrooms, a wheelchair-entry ramp, parking, and other amenities. Do you know the name of the field where players compete on game days? Frank Kush Field was the name given to the stadium’s natural grass playing field in 1996 to honor the former coach of the squad.

The stadium also hosted several important matches and occasions. The Fiesta Bowl and the Cactus Bowl are two annual college football bowl games that often happen here. Not only did it host college football, but it also had the highest attendance at NFL games. On November 9, 1996, the Sun Devils played California at the stadium in front of the largest-ever crowd of 74,963 fans and they won 35–7 to earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Recently, in a thrilling 35–31 victory, the Sun Devils defeated Kansas Jayhawks at the stadium and achieved a 4-1 record. A massive crowd of 54,639 fans packed the stadium for the game, showing strong support for both teams. Now, the next Sun Devil football game will be against the Utah Utes on October 11, 2024, in the same place. Until then, enjoy the rest of the college football season