Cajun Field, Football stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana
Cajun Field is a football stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, with seating for 41,426 spectators and a synthetic playing surface. The artificial turf was installed in 2008, replacing the natural grass that previously covered the field.
The stadium opened on September 25, 1971, with a 21-0 victory against Santa Clara, establishing this location as Louisiana's football home. This inaugural game began a long history of college football played at this venue.
The stadium's nickname 'The Swamp' comes from the wetland environment that surrounds the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. Local fans and players embrace this connection to the natural landscape as part of the team's identity.
The playing field sits below sea level, so visitors walk down to reach their seating areas rather than up typical stadium rows. This below-grade layout affects how the stadium feels and moves differently than typical venues.
The playing surface sits approximately 2 feet below sea level and relies on specialized drainage systems to prevent flooding. This geographic challenge makes it a notable example of sports construction in a wetland environment.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
