Ohio Stadium

Ohio Stadium is a sports stadium in Ohio, United States, with a horseshoe shape and double rows of columns. The stands seat more than 100,000 spectators spread across three tiers with continuous sightlines to the playing field.

Howard Dwight Smith designed the facility between 1921 and 1922 as a replacement for the smaller Ohio Field. The building expansion in the 1990s closed the south end and added new suites and an upper deck.

The nickname "Horseshoe" comes from the open south end that once framed views of the Olentangy River. Students now use that space to camp out before major games and show their team spirit.

On game days the grounds open several hours before kickoff so visitors can find their seats without rushing. Accessible entrances and elevators make it easier for people with limited mobility to navigate.

During construction, workers transported steel and concrete by rail directly to the building site beside the Olentangy River. A second turf is grown each year in Indiana and swapped into the playing field before the season begins.

Location: Columbus

Inception: October 7, 1922

Architects: Howard Dwight Smith

Official opening: October 7, 1922

Capacity: 102780

Address: 411 Woody Hayes Drive

Website: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/facilities/ohio-stadium

GPS coordinates: 40.00167,-83.01972

Latest update: December 22, 2025 17:30