Each fall since 1957, the Boston College Eagles football team has called Alumni Stadium home. Before its construction, the Eagles played at Alumni Field, which was built in 1915 and originally had a seating capacity of 15,000. The capacity was later increased to 25,000, but even that was often not enough to accommodate the growing number of fans. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the Eagles played some of their home games at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, and Braves Field, home of the Boston Braves. By the 1950s, it was clear that the football program needed a new stadium. Funds were raised for construction of a $250,000 facility, and the Eagles had a new home by the start of the 1957 season.
On September 21, 1957, the Boston College Eagles played their first game at Alumni Stadium against Navy. The stadium had a seating capacity of 26,000 and provided a significant upgrade from Alumni Field. For more than three decades, few changes were made to the stadium. The first major renovation was completed before the 1994 football season. Nearly 20,000 seats in the lower deck, along with the running track, were removed. A new lower grandstand was constructed beneath the remaining upper decks on the east and west sides of the stadium. In addition, 24 luxury suites were added.
Today, Alumni Stadium has a seating capacity of 44,500, with the main lower grandstand completely enclosing the playing field. Upper decks are located on all four sides of the stadium. The facility also features modern video scoreboards, updated lighting and improved concession areas. In 2004, FieldTurf replaced the Astroturf playing surface, providing the Eagles with a more modern playing field.
