Ross-Ade Stadium Belongs to
The Boilermakers
ALL ABOARD!
The Time is Now
The Process
The transformation of Ross-Ade Stadium has created an unparalleled gameday environment that will last for generations of Boilermakers to come. The phased approach to these renovations is aimed to enhance the overall student-athlete experience while also setting a new standard for the Purdue Football gameday atmosphere.
In April of 2022, the Purdue University Board of Trustees approved a $45.4 million Phase I renovation slated to begin at the conclusion of the 2022 season. The modifications include a new safe-standing south end zone student section addition, a player entrance connecting the Kozuch Football Performance Complex to Rohrman Field, and a concourse connector in the south end zone.
The Purdue Athletics mission was to find out what fans wanted to see in an enhanced facility. A survey with more than 12,000 respondents, followed by focus group meetings, told us how they want to experience Purdue.
TYLER TRENT STUDENT ENTRANCE
SOUTH END ZONE FACADE
VIEW ABOVE TILLER TUNNEL
TILLER TUNNEL
TILLER TUNNEL ENTRANCE TO FIELD
TILLER TUNNEL ENTRANCE TO FIELD
TILLER TUNNEL ENTRANCE FROM KFPC
THE RAIL YARD
PREMIUM SEATING
PREMIUM SEATING
UPDATED SOUTH END ZONE
SOUTH END ZONE
SOUTH END ZONE
SOUTH END ZONE
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING AND PATIO
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING FACILITY ENTRANCE
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING FACILITY MAIN DINING AREA
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING FACILITY FOOD SERVICE AREA
TYLER TRENT STUDENT ENTRANCE
SOUTH END ZONE FACADE
VIEW ABOVE TILLER TUNNEL
TILLER TUNNEL
TILLER TUNNEL ENTRANCE TO FIELD
TILLER TUNNEL ENTRANCE TO FIELD
TILLER TUNNEL ENTRANCE FROM KFPC
THE RAIL YARD
PREMIUM SEATING
PREMIUM SEATING
UPDATED SOUTH END ZONE
SOUTH END ZONE
SOUTH END ZONE
SOUTH END ZONE
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING AND PATIO
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING FACILITY ENTRANCE
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING FACILITY MAIN DINING AREA
STUDENT-ATHLETE DINING FACILITY FOOD SERVICE AREA
Conceptual plans include significant increases and improvements in:
New
South End Zone Addition
The long-awaited addition to Ross-Ade Stadium now connects the east and west sides of the facility in its 100th anniversary season, closing in the south end zone to create a complete bowl.
The south end zone and southeast sideline now serve as the new locations for student seating, which increased student section seating by roughly 5% after construction.
Read MoreThe dedicated student section enhancements include the addition of the new Tyler Trent student entrance area, safe standing seats, patio and deck areas, rail seating, and improved concessions. In addition, the south end zone includes a dedicated area for the “All-American” Marching Band.
The completion of the bowl, in addition to the investment in the size of the concourse, allows for a more accessible fan experience and will include an additional elevator for ADA access as well as an additional restroom. The west wedge of the south end zone also features a new premium experience for fans to enjoy.
New
TILLER TUNNEL
The new stadium entry location for the Boilermakers, named in honor of legendary Purdue coach Joe Tiller, creates a unique and iconic experience for football student-athletes and fans that is second to none.
Tiller Tunnel improves gameday atmosphere and player safety by allowing a seamless transition from the Kozuch Football Performance Center to Rohrman Field, and also offers a new and exciting recruiting component.
New
Student-Athlete Dining Facility
As part of the ongoing upgrades to Ross-Ade Stadium, the student-athlete dining facility will serve as a full production kitchen with an outdoor patio feature and a 150-person capacity.
With an architectural style complementary of the Kozuch Football Performance Complex, the facility will also include a demonstration kitchen to serve as a nutritional education space.
Construction is scheduled to be finished during the summer of 2024.
New
Premium Seating
Three new premium areas at Ross-Ade Stadium for the first year of the Ryan Walters Era include: Junction Terrace, The Rail Yard and The Station. To purchase, or for more information, please contact your Boilermaker Athletics Representative or reach out to JPC@purdue.edu or 765.494.2582.
Junction Terrace: Located in the newly built southwest corner of Ross-Ade, Junction Terrace allows Purdue Football fans to bring their friends and enjoy table seating with a great view.
The Rail Yard: Sit above the new team entry, Tiller Tunnel, at Ross-Ade to cheer on your Boilermakers!
The Station: In one of the most unique experiences in all of college football, ticket holders for The Station get to board the Boilermaker Special at Slayter Hill one hour before kickoff and ride Purdue's mascot into the stadium. Once inside, fans can enjoy the game from the comfort of the Boilermaker Special at its designated parking spot above Tiller Tunnel.
With Your
Support
The generosity of Boilermaker fans and donors has allowed Phase I of the Ross-Ade Stadium renovations to become a reality.
As we continue to build momentum behind a successful Purdue Football program, we are excited about the opportunity to further invest in future phases and continue to elevate the gameday experience for all. Plans to follow with additional phased renovations will be outlined and communicated as they are developed, and donor support will be essential as we continue to bolster our impact at Purdue and in the surrounding community.
Purdue Athletics and the John Purdue Club are looking forward to engaging with alumni and supporters who are passionate about elevating our department to new heights. This support will be crucial in carrying out additional phases and further enhancing the student-athlete, fan, and donor experience on Purdue's campus.
Discover more about naming opportunities and how to support future Ross-Ade renovations
Learn MoreMasterplan
Phase I Timeline
Timeline Subject to Change
Project Start
Fall 2022
Phase I Construction Begins
Summer 2023
South End Zone and Team Entrance Completed
Summer 2024
Student-Athlete Dining Facility Completed
Phase 1End
FAQ
The transformation of Ross-Ade Stadium is an important step in strengthening Purdue's national prominence and football success. It's also more than just a football project; as this initiative progresses it will have a broad university and community impact. It's our responsibility to make sure that Ross-Ade is programmatically and structurally positioned to support high-level success for generations. This is our opportunity to do it right, so we need to be smart, efficient and focused on maximizing the impact of our investment.
Mike Bobinski
Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Seeing the Ross-Ade Stadium renovations set to take place made me even more excited to take this job and lead Purdue Football into the future. I cannot wait for us to run out of the new tunnel and onto that field for the first time. This project further proves that there is no better time to be a Boilermaker.
Ryan Walters
Head Coach, Purdue Football
We are excited about the future of Ross-Ade Stadium. I have been working carefully with Purdue Athletics to provide the best possible location for the Purdue 'All-American' Marching Band. In my opinion, the upcoming renovation of Ross-Ade Stadium will be a win-win-win - Purdue Football, the 'All-American' Marching Band and Boilermaker fans all benefit!
Jay Gephart
Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands & Orchestras and Director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band
The future of Purdue University, and specifically, our athletics department, has never been brighter. We have made an incredible amount of progress toward our many goals as it relates to resources, facilities and the experience we offer campus and the surrounding community. Being a Boilermaker is special, and it shows. These enhancements to Ross-Ade Stadium are important steps in continuing to provide an elite experience to our university's student-athletes and fans.
Mike Berghoff
Chairman, Purdue University Board of Trustees
I am thankful Purdue puts its student-athletes at the forefront of the renovations that will affect our everyday lives and gameday experience. The dining hall will be a great addition by making it much more convenient and accessible to fuel our bodies properly for success. The stadium renovations bring an invaluable atmosphere, taking it to the next level.
Gus Hartwig
Junior Offensive Lineman, Purdue Football
A student-athlete dining hall is going to be very beneficial for all Purdue sports. To have a dedicated space where student-athletes can eat together and interact with each other will be really nice. It will bring us all closer together. This will have an impact on Purdue on a daily basis, and I'm excited to see it happen.
K'Ja Talley
Junior - Sprinter - Purdue Track & Field
Ross-Ade Brigade is ecstatic to call the new south end zone grandstand our new home next fall. Not only will students have access to better seating, but this will also provide our team a serious home-field advantage. For the first time in Purdue Football history, our student section will be directly in our opponent's field of vision. The vertical rise of the stand will be a sharp contrast to the gradual rise of the rest of the stadium, and will work to create a 'wall of intimidation and noise' directly behind the goalposts. Stretching all the way to the 30 yard line on the east side of the stadium, the student section will continue to be a presence behind the opponent's benches —making it nearly impossible to escape the noise and energy of Ross-Ade Brigade.
Ross-Ade Brigade
Executive Board
Historical
Timeline of Ross-Ade Stadium
1924
Purdue dedicates Ross-Ade Stadium, which debuts with 13,500 seating capacity and standing room for an additional 5,000 in the north end of the stadium. The Boilermakers win the Homecoming matchup over Indiana 26-7.
1930s
Ross-Ade Stadium, as it looked with its original horseshoe seating that remained, in some part, until the 2016 season. The Boilers posted an outstanding 24-6-1 home record during the 1930s.
1954
Purdue University continued its growth as an institution, and the crowds that clamored into Ross-Ade grew, as well. On this late fall Saturday, the Boilermakers came from behind to thwart Indiana by a score of 13-7. Purdue averaged 42,800 fans per game during the 1954 season, and the following season, a new press box was unveiled.
1960s
Multiple expansion projects, plus new south end zone bleacher seating, grew the stadium footprint during the 1950s and 1960s. Purdue hosted three crowds greater than 65,000 during the stellar 1969 season, an 8-2 campaign by Jack Mollenkopf's Boilermakers. Purdue notably claimed home victories over No. 9 Notre Dame (28-14) in front of 68,179, Iowa (35-31) in front of 65,971 and Michigan State (41-13) in front of 67,397.
1983
Purdue's sport facilities in 1983, pictured here during a packed Boilermaker Football game, featuring the recently built Holloway Gymnasium (1982) adjacent to historic Mackey Arena.
1997
Ross-Ade was bursting at the seams on Sept. 13, 1997, as 67,899 fans watched Purdue defeat No. 12 Notre Dame, 28-17. New for that 1997 season, along with first-year head coach Joe Tiller, was a $3 million Sony JumboTron in the south end zone.
2001
The long-tenured Robert Clute Woodworth Press Box at Ross-Ade Stadium housed visitors for the final time on Dec. 1, 2001, in the season finale vs. Notre Dame.
2003
Construction began on Ross-Ade Stadium's new pavilion, part of a $70 million renovation project, after the 2001 season and initially opened to select visitors for the 2002 campaign. The project was finished completely for fans, suite holders, media members and television personnel for the 2003 season.
2017
Permanent lighting is installed at a cost of $5.6 million. Additionally, updates are made to the drainage and irrigation systems on the perimeter of the field and sod laid to match the playing surface.
2020
Purdue installed a 150-feet, 4-inches wide and 56-feet, 9-inches high video board at the south end of the stadium, more than four-times larger than the previous board built in 2007. The board is the first HDR (high-dynamic range) board in college football, providing a significantly sharper picture and richer color.
2021
The Boilermakers played their 500th game at Ross-Ade Stadium, defeating Oregon State, 30-21, in front of a crowd of 53,656.
