The Titans are playing in one of the NFL's premier stadiums. The 67,000-seat, open-air, natural-grass stadium is located on 105 acres on the east bank of the Cumberland River overlooking downtown Nashville. It was built by HOK Sport Facilities Group of Kansas City, MO, the same group that designed Jacksonville’s Alltel Stadium, Miami’s Joe Robbie Stadium, Charlotte’s Ericsson Stadium, Baltimore’s Camden Yards, and the Nashville Arena. The stadium will also be the home site for the Tennessee State University football squad.
Among the features:
* Open air, natural grass
* 144 suites
* Club seating with heat and air-conditioning, spacious lounge area, high-quality food and beverage services, sitdown eating areas, closed circuit TV’s and sound systems
* 60 concession stands throughout the stadium
* Three locker rooms
* Two scoreboards with video screens located on the north and south ends of the stadium
* 4 suite elevators
* More than 2,000 trees planted within the 105 acres
* 7,500 parking spaces available on-site with more than 20,000 existing parking spaces nearby
* Space for 400 wheelchair patrons and associated companion seats
* 80 parking spaces for disabled
* 26 men’s restrooms, 40 women’s restrooms
* Tifsport Bermuda sod, which grew for a year before being laid down in May 1999. Each roll of sod weighed 2,000 pounds and was cut into 108-foot long, 42-inch wide strips that were 1.5 inches thick.
* Sophisticated field irrigation and drainage system
* State-of-the-art press box
What's in a name?
Titans' new stadium to be called Adelphia Coliseum
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- June 28, 1999 -- The new home of the Tennessee Titans will be called Adelphia Coliseum under an agreement between the team and the cable TV/telecommunications company.
The 15-year, $30 million agreement will be signed at a reception at the stadium July 8 or 9, The Tennessean reported Monday.
Under their lease arrangement with the city of Nashville, the Titans will keep all revenue from the naming rights.
Adelphia Communications Corp. officials did not return a phone call seeking comment Monday.
Titans executive vice president Don MacLachlan did not confirm the deal but said "negotiations are going well and we hope to have a major announcement very soon."
Adelphia is the parent company of Hyperion Communications Inc. "Hyperion Coliseum" was thought to be the likely name of the 67,000-seat stadium, which is set to open in August.
Instead, "Adelphia Coliseum" will appear on both sides of the scoreboards at each end of the playing field -- facing into and outside the stadium -- as well as on the outside of the stadium facing downtown and Interstate 65.
Adelphia will provide most of the telecommunications services for operation of the stadium and the two massive scoreboards.
Titans owner K.S. (Bud) Adams Jr. had characterized a naming rights deal as one of the "more important" issues the team had to deal with during the summer. He had also said it was "certainly something I'd like to see wrapped up before we play the first game."
The Titans will play their first preseason game in the stadium Aug. 27 against the Atlanta Falcons. They open the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12, 1999.
The City of Nashville will usher in its new NFL franchise team in Spring 1999 with the completion of a new 67,000-seat stadium. Designed by HOK Sport, the $290-million project will be located across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville's entertainment district. The stadium design is configured to maximize seating on the sidelines. Both ends are open to plaza areas and views to the city. The plaza areas will also allow temporary seating for high profile events, such as the Super Bowl, Tennessee State University games, concerts or fanfare - increasing the total number of seats to approximately 72,000.
The new stadium will feature:
* 144 suites at two levels overlooking the enclosed club level
* A club deck seating 11,700
* More than 400 seats for the disabled (including companion seating)
* Natural grass playing field
* 60 Concession stands throughout stadium
* 7,500 parking spaces, with additional downtown parking available
* Separate lockers for NFL and collegiate teams
* 80 parking spaces for disabled
* 26 men's restrooms, 40 women's restrooms
* Sophisticated field irrigation and drainage system
Information courtesy HOK Sport
The proposed NFL Stadium, to be located in Nashville, TN, is set to be built on the east bank of the Cumberland River, across from the popular downtown area. With hopes that the new Stadium will inspire new development in east Nashville, the Stadium is being designed to enhance and complement the buildings nearby. A proposed greenway network and recreational path is said to be planned along the stadium that would run from Shelby Bottoms to the Bicentennial Mall. Construction of the Stadium has not yet begun.
Stadium Design Review Committee Selects Architects
The stadium Design Review Committee today recommended to Mayor Phil Bredesen that HOK Architects craft the proposed Tennessee Titans playing field.
Mayor Bredesen agreed with the team's selection. "HOK has put together an impressive team that has very strong local and minority participation," Mayor Bredesen said. "I'm pleased with the committee's selection."
Local firms will do about 50 percent of the work, while minority companies will do 14 percent to 17 percent of the work, according to Design Review Committee member Joe Huddleston.
Local and minority firms that make up the design team are Barge Waggoner Summer and Cannon, Inc.; McKissack & McKissack; The Larkin Group; Law Engineering; Thornton and Associates; Moody Nolan; IC Thomasson Associates, Inc.; and CADDUM.
While exact fees will be negotiated, architectural and design work is expected to be in the $10M range.
HOK Architects's resume of stadiums in Jacksonville, Fla., a 73,000 seat facility which opened earlier this year; Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, a 75,000 seat facility which opened in 1987; and Carolina Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.; a 72,350 seat facility which opened in 1996.
In addition to Huddleston, other members of the Design Review Committee include Sixth District Councilwoman Eileen Beehan; Mayoral Aide James Threalkill; and Metropolitan Development and Housing agency Executive Direct Gerald Nicely.
The Metropolitan Council last week confirmed a Stadium and Relocation Agreement reached between Mayor Phil Bredesen and Titans owner Bud Adams. If the city reaches certain milestones, including the successful sale of at least $71M worth of permanent seat licenses, then Adams will ask the NFL for permission to move his Titans franchise to Tennessee.
Originally scheduled for a 1998 opening, the Tennessee NFL Stadium has been delayed due to potential Congressional action that would restrict the ability of professional sports franchises to leave their host cities. While passage of this bill is said to be unlikely, Nashville will not risk losing money by starting construction before this potential roadblock is overcome. A new construction date will be known after this action of Congress is resolved. Refer to this page for the latest updates on Stadium construction, or contact TENNFL at (615) 880-1020!
Information presented as a public service by The Nashville Network
April 16, 1998 - A tornado snapped three of four cranes at the Tennessee Titans' new Nashville stadium, scheduled to open in 1999, and a manager said a two-week delay in construction is expected.
BELLSOUTH SUES FOR ACCESS TO ADELPHIA STADIUM
July 29, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures
The Tennessee Titans have banned Bell South from installing telephone connections at Adelphia Stadium in Nashville saying the company has no right to install its systems. BellSouth responded by filing a lawsuit against Cumberland Stadium LP, a company run by the Titans, which ordered BellSouth workers off the site. The company was attempting to install lines to service teller machines, credit card machines and television network outlets.
BellSouth says the stadium is a public entity and it should have access rights. The Titans argue they have rights for all utilities and the NFL also has an agreement with Adelphia Communications Corp. for telephone service. Adelphia earlier paid $30 million for 15-year stadium naming rights.
A judge said he would grant a temporary restraining order today (Thursday) giving BellSouth access to the stadium and will prohibit Adelphia from telling customers that BellSouth will not be allowed to provide stadium service. BellSouth must also not interfere with Adelphia's work, will post a $50,000 bond and continue work at its own risk.
August 7, 1999 - NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee Titans, anxious to check out their new stadium, held a dress rehearsal Saturday at Adelphia Coliseum. And the intial reviews are just what the team wanted to hear.
"It's awesome," said Tony Wakefield of Nashville, who showed up with his 19-year -old son Jeremiah. "I've been driving by the stadium for months. My wife is sick of me driving by this place. We're just about to bust."
More than 49,000 owners of personal seat licenses, who have the right to buy season tickets, were invited to watch the team end its first week of training camp with a practice and rookie scrimmage. More than 41,000 showed up.
The Titans play their first exhibition game at the stadium August 27, 1999 against the Atlanta Falcons, with the season opener September 12, 1999 against Cincinnati.
FANS GET FIRST INSIDE LOOK AT ADELPHIA STADIUM
August 12, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures
More than 41,500 seat license holders got a chance to check out the sight lines from their chairs when the Nashville Titan's new Adelphia Stadium opened for a scrimmage. The event was also a shake-down for the stadium which officially debuts this fall. Officials said while some elements of the stadium were still not complete - such as telephone banks - the venue operated well. Parking and traffic posed some problems, as did the loudness of the sound system, but those issues are expected to be resolved with experience.
TELCO FIRMS REACH AGREEMENT ON ADELPHIA STADIUM
August 19, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures
Adelphia Communications and BellSouth Telecommunications are
reportedly close to an agreement on the wiring of the Titans' new stadium for
telecommunications services. The Titans banned Bell South from installing
telephone connections at the Nashville stadium saying the company has no right
to install its systems. BellSouth responded by filing a lawsuit against
Cumberland Stadium LP, a company run by the Titans, which ordered BellSouth
workers off the site. The company was attempting to install lines to service
teller machines, credit card machines and television network outlets.
BellSouth says the stadium is a public entity and it should have
access rights. A judge granted a temporary restraining order today giving BellSouth
access to the stadium and prohibiting Adelphia from telling customers that
BellSouth will not be allowed to provide stadium service. BellSouth must also
not interfere with Adelphia's work. risk.
The Titans argued they have rights for all utilities and the NFL also
has an agreement with Adelphia Communications Corp. for telephone service.
Adelphia earlier paid $30 million for 15-year stadium naming rights.
Details of the agreement have not been released, but the Nashville
Tennessean reported that BellSouth will be allowed to use its existing lines
while Adelphia will provide phone service to the team and others. BellSouth
also agreed to drop its lawsuit.
Seeing the Tennessee Titans on the field via television inspired more than 200 people who toured Adelphia Stadium to buy seat licenses for the venue. Fewer than 150 PSLs remain to be sold and the team hopes to have another sales promotion this weekend.
TITANS DEBUT NEW NASHVILLE STADIUM
September 2, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures
Professional football was played for the first time last week in the
Tennessee Titans new 67,000-seat Adelphia Stadium in Nashville. The $292
million stadium opened to generally strong reviews, despite some plumbing
problems. Sinks and toilets on the upper deck's east side shut down during the
game and engineers have been unable to resolve the problem. They hope to have
it repaired for tonight's (Thursday's) game.
The stadium was partially financed through the sale of 57,000 seat
licenses, guaranteed by local businesses. The licenses earned $71 million.
PSLs
cost $250 to $4,500 each. The venue also has 144 luxury suites leasing for
$50,000 to $125,000 on terms of five to 10 years. There are also 11,500 club
seats selling for $1,500 plus the PSL cost.
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS ROAD TRIP
By: Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell
| LP Field Ranking by USRT |
| Architecture |  | 6.5 |
| Concessions | | 7 |
| Scoreboard | | 5 |
| Ushers | | 5 |
| Fan Support | | 8 |
| Location | | 9.5 |
| Banners/History | | 4 |
| Entertainment | | 5 |
| Concourses/Fan Comfort | | 5 |
| Bonus: Tailgate Scene | | 2.5 |
| Bonus: Downtown Nashville | | 1 |
| Bonus: Music City Miracle | | -1 |
| Total Score |  | 57.5 |
January 8, 2000 - On the spur of the moment, the roadtrippers make tracks on their longest car ride yet. A 700+ mile drive to the country music capital of the world to see their beloved Bills in a playoff battle with the Titans. It would certainly be a day we would never forget whether we wanted to or not.
Sitting on the banks of the Cumberland River across from the beautiful, sparkling skyline of downtown Nashville, Adelphia Coliseum is a beautiful 67,000 seat open air staduim with natural grass. It opened in 1999 as the permanent home of the Tennessee Titans after the team had wandered its way east from Houston, with temporary stops in Memphis and across town in Nashville at Vanderbilt Stadium.The facility is also home to Tennessee State football and each year hosts the Music City Bowl game.
The team had struggled to draw fans while in their temporary homes and it was becoming a real uncertainty as to whether the "Oilers" were going to be a big draw in their new home. But as the famous line goes "if you build it, they will come" and come in droves they have as Nashville has fallen head over heels for their Titans and the Coliseum has quickly gained a reputation for having one of the loudest and most enthusiastic game day astmopheres in the NFL. With the arrival of the NFL postseason at hand our day at Adelphia was certainly no different.
The Bowl
Like many of today's newer NFL facilities the seating area is split into three levels, a lower level, a restricted club level, and an upper level. There are suites located on the sidelines atop the lower and club levels. The pitch of the seating area is as steep as anyplace we have seen so the fans may be up a bit high but yet they are also right on top of the action helping to create a noisy atmosphere. In each end zone you will find a giant Jumbotron overlooking the field as well as a plaza at the top of the seating area where fans at the game can hang out and catch a different view of the game as well as grab some food and drink from a few of the 60 concession stands that dot the entire facility.
The Concourses
Underneath the seating bowl you will see wide concourses with a wide variety of food and drink along with plenty of areas to find your favorite Titans jersey. Of course we didn't sample much of what they had to eat because we were afraid to have the urge to use the restrooms. There was a complete lack of facilities for the male gender and the lines for those facilities were in place for the duration of the afternoon.There is a main team store that is accessible from inside as well as outside the facility also open during non-game days. This venue had escalators for access to the club level only. So if you had upper level seats it was a long walk up the ramps, that being said some parts of those ramps had overlooking views of the action on one side and the Nashville skyline from others - not too shabby!!!
Extra Points
We had some time to spare in Nashville and there were some great spots to hit. Second Street is filled with plenty of restaurants, entertainment areas, and shop for all to enjoy. Our favorite being a sports bar called 2nd and Goal owned by now former Titans kicker AL DEL GRECO. This was just one of many choices in the downtown area - much more action can be found around the corner on Broadway near the arena.
Summary
This day provided us with what will likely go down as the most memorable sporting event we will ever see, Ultimate Sports Road Trip event or otherwise. The "Music City Miracle" ripped the heart right out of us and helped to put an enormous damper on the weekend. That moment alone probably was enough to take this venue off our list of favorites even though this place is spectacular. That being said, Nashville is a wonderful city that we enjoyed thoroughly and we had nothing but a great time otherwise. We'd have no problems coming back if another major franchise makes its way here.
