Veterans
Stadium
Home of the Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have called Veterans Stadium home since 1971 after
previous stops at Municipal (JFK) have also played home games
at the Baker Bowl, Temple University Stadium, and Pittsburgh's
Forbes Field during the 1943 season.
Veterans Stadium, known as at the Vet," is a multi-purposesports
complex located in South Philadelphia. Built on a 74-acre
site, the sports complex also includes a recreational park,
the CoreStaes Spectrum indoor arena, and the new CoreStates
Arena, home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers. The Core
States Center was built upon the former site of JFK Stadium.
The Vet was opened before the Phillies' 1971 baseball season
and was built at a cost in excess of $50 million. The Eagles
and Phils maintain their executive offices in the stadium.
In February, 1995, the field at the Vet was replaced with
a new synthetic turf called AstroTurf-8. This new state-of-the-art
surface features a vertical drainage system whereby water
will drain through holes in the turf, its padding, and the
stone and earth sub-base.
In 1986, the Eagles installed two grass practice fields
in the north parking lot of the Vet. In 1992, "the Bubble,"
an inclement weather facility, was moved from the former JFK
Stadium site to adjacent to the grass practice fields. The
Bubble consists of a synthetic roof supported by currents
of air and covers a 70-yard Astro Turf field. It was installed
by Air Structures International, Inc.
In 1985, 27 luxurious Penthouse Suites were built atop the
south side of the stadium. Twenty-four more Suites were constructed
the following year on the north side. Thirty-eight additional
Suites on the west side were constructed in 1987 to bring
the total number of Suites to 89.
The first Eagles' game at the Vet took place on August 16,
1971, when
they defeated the Buffalo Bills in a preseason encounter,
34-28. The first regular season win came at the expense of
the New York Giants, 23-7, on October 24, 1971.
In 25 seasons at Veterans Stadium, the Eagles have compiled
an
112-91-2 record (including a 4-3 playoff mark). The seating
capacity for football is 65,352.
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