Known for its successful basketball program, the Blue Devils football team has begun to make strides as a winning program in the ACC over the past several years. Wallace Wade Stadium has been the home of the football program since 1929. Originally known as Duke Stadium, the Blue Devils played their first game at the stadium on October 5, 1929, against Pittsburgh.
In July 1967, the stadium was renamed Wallace Wade Stadium after legendary football coach Wallace Wade. The Blue Devils played under the lights for the first time in 1984. The stadium changed little over the years and remained one of the smallest stadiums in college football for decades, with a seating capacity of just under 34,000.
In September 2014, Duke University announced plans to upgrade the football stadium. The project began after the 2014 season and included removing the track that surrounded the playing field, lowering the field and constructing the Blue Devil Tower. The tower contains luxury suites, club seats and the press box. In addition, a new HD video scoreboard was installed, and the concourses were expanded to include additional restrooms and concessions. The project was completed before the start of the 2016 season and increased the seating capacity to just over 40,000. Prior to the 2024 season, the Blue Devils added the Devils Deck to the north end of the stadium. Nearly 1,500 fans can socialize in this all-inclusive location at Wallace Wade Stadium. With its addition, it decreased the capacity of the stadium to 35,018.
Although Duke is best known for its basketball program, the football team has won 17 conference titles throughout its history. The Blue Devils also hosted the 1942 Rose Bowl against Oregon State. The game was moved from the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, due to fears of a possible attack following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
