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LEVI'S STADIUM

Every fall since 1946, fans in San Francisco have been able to watch the 49ers in action from their days playing at Kezar Stadium to today at Candlestick Park. Since 1971 the 49ers have called Candlestick Park their home, the oldest stadium in the NFL that has not been substantially renovated. Candlestick Park lacks many modern amenities such as luxury and club seats that generate millions of dollars in revenue for teams that have new stadiums. For over a decade the 49ers have tried to get a new stadium constructed in San Francisco. The first plan was in 1997 and part of the city being awarded the Super Bowl. The second plan, to be built at Candlestick Point, in 1997 was to be built in an effort with the City of San Francisco being awarded the 2016 Olympic. Although the city was not awarded the Olympics, the 49ers decided not to pursue the Candlestick Park location because the team concluded the location did not offer the optimal game day experience it was seeking for 49er fans. The team also concluded that while the location is visually appealing, its geographic boundaries make it challenging for a new stadium and surrounding development.

After plans fell through to build a new stadium near Candlestick Park, 49ers owner, John York, shifted the team’s focus to constructing a stadium in Santa Clara, where the 49ers offices and training facilities are currently located. On May 29, 2009 the 49ers reached an agreement with the City of Santa Clara to construction a $937 million stadium.  Located 37 miles south of Candlestick Park, the stadium site is located in the overflow parking lot of Great American theme park. The stadium plan recreates the ambiance of York's alma mater, Notre Dame Stadium. Scheduled to open in 2014, fans will enter the stadium through two large 18,000 square foot open concourses, on the northwest and southwest corners. Inside, the primary design goal is to bring fans closer to the game. The stadium will have a seating capacity of 68,500 that includes 45,000 seats in the lower level. On the west side of the stadium, an eight level tower will feature the pressbox, 170 luxury suites and 9,000 club seats.  Two HD videoboards will be located behind the stands in before endzones.

At a cost of just over $1 billion, 90% of the stadium is being funded by the sale of stadium assets, a hotel tax, the 49ers and the NFL. The City of Santa Clara is contributing $114 million in public contributions that includes $42 million in redevelopment money. The 49ers will pay for cost overruns. On June 8, 2010 Santa Clara voters approved a measure backing the deal between the 49ers and the city to build a new stadium for the team. Groundbreaking occurred on April 19, 2012 and in May 2013, Levi Strauss & Co., purchased the naming rights to the stadium for $220 million over two decades.