Few venues in college football carry the tradition and energy of Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Originally opened in 1929 and named for legendary coach Wallace Wade, the stadium has undergone extensive renovations to become one of the premier football settings in the ACC. The natural Bermuda grass surface, now five feet below its original level, anchors a 35,000-seat bowl with an electrifying game day atmosphere. Blue Devil Tower lines the west side, offering premium suites, club-level seating and hospitality areas, while the Dollar Shave Club Devils Deck at the north end zone adds a modern, tailgate-inspired fan experience. High-definition video displays, LED lighting and upgraded amenities round out a stadium designed with championship-caliber expectations.
Stadium History
- Early Years: The stadium opened on Oct. 5, 1929, with Duke hosting Pitt in the first game. Originally named Duke Stadium, it was funded through $100 community investment bonds with a 6% return. It was renamed in 1967 for Wallace Wade.
- Record Crowds: Over 52,000 fans watched Duke defeat No. 7 North Carolina in 1939. Attendance records followed in 1942, 1947, and 1949.
- 1942 Rose Bowl: Due to wartime security concerns following Pearl Harbor, the Rose Bowl was moved from Pasadena to Durham. Duke hosted Oregon State in front of 56,000 fans—the only Rose Bowl ever played on the East Coast. Oregon State won, 20–16.
- Milestone Wins:
- No. 100 – 25–0 over North Carolina (Nov. 16, 1935)
- No. 350 – 16–12 over South Carolina (Sept. 23, 1978)
- No. 400 – 35–26 over NC State (Nov. 11, 1989)
- No. 450 – 49–14 over NC Central (Sept. 26, 2009)
Renovations & Modernization
- 2014–2016 Upgrades: The track was removed and the field was lowered and recentered, allowing for 4,000 new seats. Updates included:
- ADA-compliant seating, restrooms, concessions, and concourses
- 42-by-75-foot LED video board repositioned 90 feet closer to the field
- Blue Devil Tower: 516 club seats, 21 luxury suites, and eight broadcast booths opened in 2016
- 2017 Enhancements: A rebuilt north concourse, updated concessions, new restrooms, ticket booth, and an auxiliary scoreboard were added. Additional ADA seating completed on the north and east sides.
- 2024 Additions: The Dollar Shave Club Devils Deck debuted in the north end zone - a terraced social zone with standing room, non-reserved seating, unlimited food, games and a live DJ.
Concerts & Events
- April 24, 1971: The Grateful Dead performed as part of Duke’s Joe College Weekend.
- October 8, 2005: The Rolling Stones, with Trey Anastasio opening, drew 40,000 fans on their A Bigger Bang Tour.
- September 27, 2024: Ed Sheeran headlined Duke’s Centennial Founder’s Day and Homecoming Celebration.