Legion Field

Legion Field is an outdoor stadium at 400 Graymont Avenue West in Birmingham, Alabama, named as a war memorial for the American Legion [1]. Construction began in 1926 and it opened in November 1927 when Howard College (now Samford) beat Birmingham–Southern 9–0 [1][2]. Locals call it “The Old Gray Lady,” and it hosted the Iron Bowl, the Magic City Classic, UAB football and the 1996 Olympic soccer tournament [1][2].

Construction and growth

The stadium cost $439,000 and was designed by D.O. Whilldin; its first game drew 16,800 fans, and opening day is given as November 17 or 19, 1927, depending on the source [1][2]. Capacity grew to 25,000 in 1934, 45,000 in 1948, 54,600 in 1961, 68,821 in 1965, 75,808 in 1977 and 83,091 in 1991 [1]. The surface changed from grass to Poly-Turf (1970), AstroTurf (1975), Bermuda grass (1995) and FieldTurf (2006) [1]. The upper deck was removed in 2005, and renovations followed in 2005 and 2015 [1].

The Iron Bowl and other football

Alabama and Auburn played the Iron Bowl here from 1948 to 1988, and Alabama continued to host its Iron Bowls here through 1998; Alabama leads 32–15 in games played at Legion Field [1]. The Magic City Classic between Alabama A&M and Alabama State has been played here every year since 1946 [1]. UAB football played here from 1991 through 2020 before moving to Protective Stadium, and the Birmingham Bowl ran here from 2006 to 2020 [1]. Professional teams included the Birmingham Americans and Vulcans, Stallions, Fire, Thunderbolts and Iron [1].

Olympics and events

The 1996 Olympic soccer opener between the U.S. and Argentina drew 83,183 fans [1]. The stadium also hosted a Billy Graham Crusade, concerts, 2022 World Games flag football and some 2022 USFL games, and it was the setting for the film Woodlawn [1][2]. See Birmingham.

Opening and naming

Legion Field opened on November 19, 1927, after construction costing 9,000, and was named as a war memorial honoring the American Legion. Capacity grew through expansions in 1934, 1948, 1961, 1965, 1977 and 1991 to a peak of 83,091 for football, and is about 71,594 since the east upper deck was removed in 2005. Renovations in 2015 added a larger video scoreboard and new sound system.[3]

Iron Bowl and college football

The Alabama-Auburn game was played at Legion Field most years from 1948 to 1988; Auburn moved its home games to Jordan-Hare Stadium in 1989 and Alabama stopped playing its Auburn home games there in 2000. The Magic City Classic has been played there since 1946, the Birmingham Bowl was hosted from 2006 to 2020, and UAB played there from 1991 through the 2020 season before moving to Protective Stadium in 2021.[3]

Olympics and other events

The stadium hosted preliminary soccer matches at the 1996 Olympics, and the United States-Argentina opener set its record attendance. Professional tenants included the Birmingham Stallions, Birmingham Fire and Birmingham Iron, and it hosted flag football at the 2022 World Games. The City of Birmingham owns the stadium.[3]

FAQs

Why is it called Legion Field? It honors the American Legion veterans organization [1].

Who plays there now? It hosts high school and special events; UAB moved to Protective Stadium in 2021 [1].

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Legion Field
2. Samford University Library: Legion Field
3. Wikipedia: Legion Field

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue