Ross–Ade Stadium
Ross–Ade Stadium is a college football stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, home of the Purdue Boilermakers, who play in the Big Ten of NCAA Division I FBS. It opened in 1924, making it 102 years old in 2026 and seats 61,441 fans. It ranks 11th of 18 in the Big Ten by capacity.
The team plays on natural grass. Its record crowd is 71,629 vs. Indiana (1980).
Stadium facts
- Location
- West Lafayette, Indiana
- Home of
- Purdue Boilermakers
- School
- Purdue University
- Conference
- Big Ten
- Subdivision
- Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
- Opened
- 1924
- Capacity
- 61,441
- Playing surface
- Natural grass
- Record crowd
- 71,629 vs. Indiana (1980)
- Size rank in FBS
- 38th of 138
Famous games at Ross–Ade Stadium
- 1924: Purdue beat Indiana in the stadium's first game
- 2018: Purdue upset Ohio State 49-20
- 2021: Purdue beat Oregon State 30-21 in the 500th game at Ross-Ade
Game day
Tradition. Students enter through the Tyler Trent Student Gate, which honors the late superfan.
Seating & views
Ross-Ade seats 61,441 in a horseshoe of mostly aluminum bleachers, with permanent grandstands on the east and west sides and a concrete north end. The south end was opened up in 2014 and rebuilt in 2023, when a new south end zone structure became home to most of the student section, with standing areas, rail seating and patio decks, plus field-level seats for the band. Students who want bleachers can sit in sections 101 to 104. Purdue says it now has the second-highest share of student seating in the Big Ten. Premium spots include Junction Terrace, The Rail Yard and The Station in the corners.
Parking & tailgating
Most lots around Ross-Ade require a season permit, many through the John Purdue Club. Purdue lists public cash parking on the IM Gold fields off McCormick Road or Third Street and the IM Black fields off State Street, plus two campus garages open to the public. Lots open eight hours before kickoff but not before 8 a.m. Tailgating happens directly behind your vehicle; propane grills only, no glass, no kegs. RV lots open at 6 p.m. the night before, and public RV4 has a free stadium shuttle. Fans can see the Boilermaker Special at Slayter Hill before kickoff. Check Purdue's official gameday parking page, since prices change.
Seating and parking sources: purduesports.com, purduesports.com, purduesports.com.
Plan your trip to Ross–Ade Stadium
Stadiums near Ross–Ade Stadium10
- 1FCSBud and Jackie Sellick Bowl — Butler Bulldogs 59 mi
- 2FCSMemorial Stadium — Indiana State Sycamores 70 mi
- 3FCSBrown Field — Valparaiso Beacons 73 mi
- 4FBSGies Memorial Stadium — Illinois Fighting Illini 75 mi
- 5FBSScheumann Stadium — Ball State Cardinals 81 mi
- 6FBSMerchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium — Indiana Hoosiers 89 mi
- 7FCSO'Brien Field — Eastern Illinois Panthers 93 mi
- 8FBSNotre Dame Stadium — Notre Dame Fighting Irish 95 mi
- 9FCSSeatGeek Stadium — Chicago State Cougars 103 mi
- 10FCSHancock Stadium — Illinois State Redbirds 110 mi
Questions about Ross–Ade Stadium
Where do the Purdue Boilermakers play home games?
The Purdue Boilermakers play at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.
How many people does Ross–Ade Stadium hold?
Ross–Ade Stadium has a capacity of 61,441.
When did Ross–Ade Stadium open?
Ross–Ade Stadium opened in 1924.
What is the attendance record at Ross–Ade Stadium?
The record crowd at Ross–Ade Stadium is 71,629 vs. Indiana (1980).
Does Ross–Ade Stadium have grass or turf?
Ross–Ade Stadium has a natural grass field.
What other college football stadiums are near Ross–Ade Stadium?
Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis is about 59 miles away. See the full list of nearby stadiums on this page.
Facts are for the 2026 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your stadium? Get the “Listed on All Football Stadiums” badge for your website.