In 2014, a new chapter in the history of the San Francisco 49ers began with the team’s move to Levi’s Stadium. For 42 seasons prior, the franchise called Candlestick Park home, a venue that hosted five Super Bowl, championship teams and legendary players such as Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and Joe Montana.

Originally constructed for baseball’s San Francisco Giants, Candlestick Park became the 49ers’ full-time home in 1971. From 1999 through 2013, it was used exclusively for football after the Giants relocated to Oracle Park in downtown San Francisco. By the late 1990s, however, Candlestick Park had fallen behind newer NFL venues, lacking key revenue generating features such as luxury suites and club seating. As a result, the 49ers began exploring options for a new stadium in 1997, initially considering plans tied to attracting a future Super Bowl and even a bid for the 2016 Olympics. Early proposals focused on redeveloping the Candlestick site, but the team ultimately determined the location could not support the desired fan experience or surrounding development.

Under the leadership of team owner John York, the organization shifted its focus to Santa Clara, home to the team’s headquarters and training facilities. On May 29, 2009, the 49ers reached an agreement with the City of Santa Clara to construct a new $1.3 billion stadium. The project was primarily privately financed, with approximately 90% of funding coming from stadium-related revenues, the team, and the NFL, while the city contributed $114 million, including redevelopment funds. Groundbreaking took place on April 19, 2012, and in May 2013, Levi Strauss & Co. secured naming rights in a 20-year, $220 million agreement.

The 49ers played their inaugural game at Levi’s Stadium on September 14, 2014, against the Chicago Bears. Designed to be one of the NFL’s most innovative venues, the stadium seats just under 70,000, with roughly two-thirds of seating located in the lower bowl. Its distinctive layout features a single-sided upper deck, while a prominent suite tower on the opposite side houses approximately 8,500 club seats and 165 luxury suites. Atop the tower sits a 27,000-square-foot green roof incorporating dozens of plant species, underscoring the venue’s sustainability focus.

The stadium’s open-air design includes expansive 18,000-square-foot entry concourses at the northwest and southwest corners, enhancing circulation and fan access. Massive high-definition video boards in each end zone provide clear views of on-field action, while a 20,000-square-foot 49ers museum offers interactive exhibits that celebrate the franchise’s history.

Beyond serving as the home of the 49ers, Levi’s Stadium has become a premier host for major events. It  welcomed the region’s first Super Bowl since 1985 with Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, and hosted Super Bowl LX in 2026, further cementing its status as a cornerstone venue in the modern NFL landscape.