M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is home to the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL Getty Images/Scott Boehm
Cost to build- 220 Million
Time to build- 2 years
Home to- Baltimore Ravens (NFL), Baltimore Bayhawks (MLL, 2002), Crab Bowl Classic (2005, 2010), alternate site for John Hopkins Men’s Lacrosse team, NCAA Men Lacrosse Championship (2003, 2004, 2007, and 2010), Maryland Public School High School football championship game, Notre Dame versus Navy (2006), World Football Challenge (2009), and it has twice hosted the annual Army versus Navy football game
Capacity- 71,008
Surface- it was originally grass, but after the 2003 NFL season it was switched to Sportexe Momentum Turf
Owner- Maryland Stadium Authority
Year opened- 1998
Average Ticket Price- 77 dollars for NFL football
Naming rights deal- M&T Bank, 15 years, 75 million dollars
This stadium suffers from being born in the era of stadium naming rights deals, and it is short existence has had several names. Originally called Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, since it is located adjacent to Camden yards home of the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. In 1999 ISP provider PSInet bought the naming rights for the stadium. When that firm declared bankruptcy in 2002 the stadium became Ravens Stadium once more.
That year, upon the death of Johnny Unitas, there was a strong push by Baltimore Football fans to rename the stadium after the Baltimore legend, but the team and the state felt the added revenue from a stadium naming rights contract was essential. The next year, it was renamed M&T bank stadium.
It is important to note that this stadium was built to resemble closely Camden Yards, and is one of the only twin stadium parks in the country. It was one of the first NFL stadium to break up the upper deck into four completely separate seating areas. All four corners of the upper deck are exposed, and offers the fans views of the Baltimore skyline.
This stadium also has a rich history in pop culture. It was the sight of the Football game in the motion picture The Sum of all Fears, though none of the film was actually shot there. It was however the home of the fictional Washington Sentinels in the movie The Replacements.
This stadium features 108 luxury suites on two different levels, 52 on the upper level, and 56 on the lower. It also has 7,904 club level seats. It is important to note that these 7,904 seat do not count against the sell out figure to allow Ravens games to be broadcast on local TV.
Related Links:
• Baltimore Ravens News and Notes
• Stadiums of the NFL
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