What is the seating capacity of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium?

Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium seats 80,126 for Sooners football games, making it one of the 20 largest college football stadiums in the United States. The stadium has undergone numerous expansions from its original 16,000-seat capacity in 1925.

Where is Oklahoma Memorial Stadium located?

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is at 1185 Asp Avenue on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Oklahoma 73019. It sits on the south side of campus, about 20 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City via I-35.

How many Heisman Trophy winners does Oklahoma have?

Oklahoma has seven Heisman Trophy winners — Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), Jason White (2003), Sam Bradford (2008), Baker Mayfield (2017), and Kyler Murray (2018). All are honoured with 12-foot bronze statues at Heisman Plaza on the stadium's east side.

What is the Sooner Schooner?

The Sooner Schooner is a miniature covered wagon pulled by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner. It races across Owen Field after every Oklahoma score. The tradition began in 1964, and the Schooner became the official mascot in 1980. It famously tipped over on national TV during a 1993 game against Colorado.

How do I get to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium?

Most fans drive via I-35 South from Oklahoma City (20 miles, about 25 minutes). A game-day shuttle runs from Lloyd Noble Center for $5 round-trip. Uber and Lyft operate in Norman with pickup/drop-off zones near Campus Corner. There is no rail service to Norman.

Is there parking at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium?

Public campus lots cost $30 per vehicle. For a free option, park at Lloyd Noble Center and take the $5 round-trip shuttle. Popular tailgating spots include Boyd Lawn, Duck Pond, and the Lindsey Street area. Setup begins at 5 PM the day before home games.

How far is the airport from Oklahoma Memorial Stadium?

Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City is 21 miles north, about 28–35 minutes by car via I-35. Rideshare runs $20–$35. DFW International Airport is 179 miles south, about 2 hours 45 minutes by car.

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman OK - Capacity, History & Complete Visitor Guide

Q: Is Oklahoma Memorial Stadium getting renovated?

Yes. In November 2025, OU announced 'The Palace Project,' a $450 million renovation of the stadium's west side designed by Populous with Manhattan Construction as general contractor. Work is expected to begin after the 2027 season.

About Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium sits on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman — an 80,126-seat colosseum officially known as Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where the Sooners play football on Owen Field, the Sooner Schooner charges after every score, and seven Heisman Trophy winners have their 12-foot bronze statues standing watch at Heisman Plaza. No school in college football has produced more Heisman winners, and this is where they all played.

The stadium opened in 1923 on a site where Bennie Owen — the coach for whom the playing field is named — helped raise the money to build it. The original permanent grandstand seated 16,000 when it was completed in 1925, and the venue was dedicated as a memorial to OU personnel who died in World War I. Nearly a century of expansions have transformed it into one of the 20 largest college football stadiums in America, with a sellout streak that reached 148+ consecutive games dating back to 1999.

The Sooner Schooner — a miniature Conestoga wagon pulled by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner — has charged onto Owen Field after every Oklahoma score since 1964. It became the official mascot in 1980 and is one of the most recognisable traditions in college football. The Schooner famously tipped over on national television during a 1993 game against Colorado, proving that even traditions can go sideways.

A $450 million renovation called “The Palace Project” was announced in November 2025, with Populous designing a complete overhaul of the stadium’s west side. The project will modernise the facility for Oklahoma’s new era in the SEC.

Getting to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Public Transit

Norman has no rail service. The university operates shuttle buses on game days.

→ Via OU Game Day Shuttle: Shuttle buses run from Lloyd Noble Center to the stadium for $5 round-trip per person. Service begins 3 hours before kickoff (4 hours for Homecoming) and continues until 1 hour after the game.

→ Via ADA Shuttle: Runs from the OU Law Center Parking Lot to West Gates 2 and 3. Service begins 3.5 hours before kickoff. Reserved for guests with disabilities, elderly, or injured patrons.

The Heartland Flyer Amtrak route connects Oklahoma City to Fort Worth with a stop in Norman, but the station is 2 miles from the stadium and service is not practical for game-day travel. Most fans drive.

Driving + Parking

The stadium is at 1185 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK 73019. I-35 is the primary approach.

→ From Oklahoma City (~20 mi): I-35 South to Norman exits. About 25 minutes.

→ From Tulsa (~122 mi): I-44 West to I-35 South. About 2 hours.

→ From Dallas (~192 mi): I-35 North through Denton and Ardmore. About 3 hours.

Public campus lots cost $30 per vehicle. Free parking is available at Lloyd Noble Center — take the $5 shuttle to the stadium. Popular tailgating spots include Boyd Lawn, Duck Pond, Nieman Field, and the Lindsey Street area. Setup begins at 5 PM the day before home games; all equipment must be removed by noon the next day.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft operate in Norman with designated pickup/drop-off zones near Campus Corner on Boyd Street. From Oklahoma City hotels, expect $25–$40. From Will Rogers Airport, $20–$35. Post-game surge pricing is common — walk to Campus Corner for a drink and a quicker pickup.

From the Airport

→ Will Rogers World Airport (OKC): 21 miles north, about 28–35 minutes by car via I-35. Oklahoma City’s primary airport with service from major carriers including Southwest, American, Delta, and United. Rideshare runs $20–$35.

→ Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW): 179 miles south, about 2 hours 45 minutes by car. The closest major hub for long-haul flights. Rental car is the only practical option.

History of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium opened in 1923 — the first game on October 20, 1923 saw Oklahoma defeat Washington University 62-7. The first permanent 16,000-seat west grandstand was completed in 1925 for approximately $293,000, designed by Solomon Andrew Layton’s firm. The stadium was dedicated as a memorial to University of Oklahoma personnel who died in World War I, and the playing field was named Owen Field for coach Bennie Owen.

47-Game Winning Streak Ends (November 16, 1957): Notre Dame defeated Oklahoma 7-0 in Norman, ending the Sooners’ NCAA-record 47-game winning streak before a then-record crowd of 63,170. The streak remains the longest in college football history.

Game of the Century (November 25, 1971): #1 Nebraska defeated #2 Oklahoma 35-31 in one of the most celebrated games in college football history. Played at Owen Field, the game lived up to its billing and cemented the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry as the sport’s best.

Seven Heisman Winners (1952–2018): Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray all won the Heisman while playing at Owen Field. Mayfield (2017) and Murray (2018) won back-to-back — the first school with consecutive quarterback Heisman winners.

The Palace Project (November 2025): OU announced a $450 million renovation of the stadium’s west side, designed by Populous with Manhattan Construction as general contractor. The project will modernise the facility as the Sooners compete in the SEC for the first time.

From Bud Wilkinson’s 47-game streak to seven Heisman Trophy statues to the Sooner Schooner charging after every score, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is where one of the richest traditions in college football lives — a century-old venue preparing for its next hundred years in the SEC.