Protective Stadium

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Protective Stadium
Protective Stadium logo.svg
Protective Stadium.jpg
Protective Stadium in 2021
LocationBirmingham, Alabama
Coordinates33°31′40″N 86°48′33″W / 33.5278°N 86.8092°W / 33.5278; -86.8092Coordinates: 33°31′40″N 86°48′33″W / 33.5278°N 86.8092°W / 33.5278; -86.8092
OwnerBirmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
OperatorBirmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
Capacity47,100[1]
Construction
Broke ground2019
OpenedOctober 2, 2021
Construction costUS$175 million
ArchitectPopulous
Tenants
UAB Blazers (NCAA) (2021–present)
Birmingham Bowl (NCAA) (2021–present)
Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) (2022–present)
United States Football League (USFL) (2022–present)

Protective Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium owned and operated by the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, United States.[2][3] Its naming rights are provided by the Protective Life company, which will pay $1 million per year for 15 years.[4]

The stadium replaced Legion Field as the home of the UAB Blazers football program. The Blazers played their first game in the stadium on October 2, 2021, and lost to Liberty 36–12.[5]

In December 2021, the stadium hosted the Super 7, the football championship games of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, as part of a three-year rotation with Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn that will run through at least 2032.[6][a] The 2021 Birmingham Bowl was played at the stadium; it was the first event at the new venue to sell out.[7]

The United States Football League is planning to play some of its 2022 games in Birmingham at Protective Stadium; the rest will be played at Legion Field.[8] The USLC soccer team Birmingham Legion FC will play at Protective Stadium starting in the 2022 season.[9] The stadium will also host the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 World Games.

Attendance records[]

Rank Attendance Date Game Result
1 47,100[10][b] December 28, 2021 #21 Houston 17, Auburn 13
2 37,167 October 2, 2021 UAB 12, Liberty 36
3 25,191 October 9, 2021 UAB 31, Florida Atlantic 14
4 24,845 October 23, 2021 UAB 24, Rice 30
5 21,261 November 6, 2021 UAB 52, Louisiana Tech 38
6 19,683 November 26, 2021 UAB 42, UTEP 25

Note: Rankings from AP Poll.

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ While the current AHSAA rotation runs through 2032, the last event in Birmingham during this cycle will be in 2030.
  2. ^ Played as the 2021 Birmingham Bowl.

References[]

  1. ^ Patchen, Tyler (September 8, 2021). "Seating increased for Protective Stadium". Birmingham Business Journal. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "BJCC bond sale closes, generates $313 million for stadium, arena renovations". Alabama Live. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  3. ^ "BJCC Reveals Protective Stadium Official Design Plans". UAB Sports. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  4. ^ "BJCC And Protective Life Announce Naming Rights for Downtown Stadium". UAB Sports. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  5. ^ Johnson, Roy S (October 28, 2021). "USFL, BJCC ready to 'finalize' agreement to host inaugural season in Birmingham in spring 2022". AL.com. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "AHSAA announces 2021-2032 sites for Super 7" (Press release). Alabama High School Athletic Association. November 13, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  7. ^ "Birmingham Bowl first sellout in Protective Stadium history". www.wbrc.com. WBRC. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  8. ^ Johnson, Roy S (October 28, 2021). "USFL, BJCC ready to 'finalize' agreement to host inaugural season in Birmingham in spring 2022". AL.com. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  9. ^ https://www.bhmlegion.com/news_article/show/1197520
  10. ^ "Houston vs. Auburn - Game Summary". ESPN.com. December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.

External links[]


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