Saw Boston College take on the University of Miami at Alumni Stadium on a brisk Friday evening. Despite long lines managed to grab a beer during halftime, but did not order any food. Quality I spent many Saturdays cheering for the Eagles football team during my college years and it was a blast coming back. For an exciting televised match-up, fans from both teams packed the stadium creating one of the best atmospheres I could remember at Alumni Stadium. However, even on days when the stadium is empty for a dud of a game, it still makes for a fun afternoon. The one caveat is always the weather, which can quickly ruin a good time. Quantity Alumni Stadium has a capacity of around 45,000, but you will hardly ever see it close to that packed. It does not compete with some of the mega stadiums around college football, but it ensures everyone has a good view of the action. Value Even for the bigger games, tickets are not too hard to come by and usually are reasonably priced. It usually is a matter of how well the opposing team travels. Beers and food are overpriced in the stadium, but that is to be expected. Ambiance Alumni Stadium sits on the Boston College Chestnut Hill campus right outside the city of Boston. It is strictly a college stadium and serves a smaller campus population, so does not compare to the mega stadiums for professional teams or many public universities. Its most recent renovations came in 1995, but the stadium has been maintained well and still feels relatively new. Massive screens on the ends make sure you can enjoy the game regardless of where you sit, but most seats keep you close to the field. Proximity of the field to the nearby reservoir does create a breeze, which on already cool days can feel even cooler. Just make sure to dress warm. Crowd The stadium is often empty for Saturday afternoon kickoffs, but for a big game under the lights the place was rocking. Unfortunately the stadium was not ready for the big crowd, and limited bathrooms and concession stands meant lines stretching around the stadium. However, the fans are some of the most laid-back and polite people you will meet at a college football game. Service While Alumni Stadium is a modern facility, it struggles with large crowds. Even with staff working fast and hard, lines quickly form near the concessions areas. The good things are they are adept at getting folks into the stadium quickly and despite the more crowded game, the bathrooms were kept in good shape. Parking The campus has limited parking on an average day, so during football games things get out of hand. Car service companies or public transportation are the better options to get to and from the stadium. Extra Even as a graduate of Boston College with many fond memories, I have no illusion that Alumni Stadium is a great place to see a game. However, it gets the job done and the friendly fans make it a fun atmosphere to enjoy some football. read more

Alumni Stadium - BC Football Game - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Tricky tricky. I spent an hour looking for parking cause they're lot is specialized for orange stickers which I have no idea what that means. But the stadium its self is confusing. Concession stands could be a bit better too. I got a puni lil hot dog for 4.50 so no need to stress how expensive that is. Also, they should separate the line for food and beer. Most ppl are ordering beer while you wait in a tremendously long line to get your expensive food. Guess it's to be expected since it's a stadium but at least dont give us the smallest hot dogs in the world. I get huge filling ones at Costco for 1.50 that's including a drink. read more

Gorgeous, well-built, open, airy, clean, and full of BC pride. Great place to watch a game. You better dress warm if you're here in late fall/winter though! Thing I was most impressed with? The band! Holy crap is the BC band AMAZING. read more

Alumni Stadium - Boston College - Alumni Stadium - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Came here for a BC vs. Clemson football game. I liked how they serve beer at the concession stands! Only problem is the stadium set up is very maze like, hard to get to bathrooms etc. Bathrooms were nicely heated (it was like 30 degrees outside!). read more

The date was 9/27/14 when I witnessed Boston College beat Top 10 ranked USC. I try to attend all USC away games and as far from all the ones I've been to this one reminded me of Stanford Stadium. Pretty good looking stadium from in and out, it does not have that run down look to it, even though it was raining that day. So yes, I traveled all the way from Los Angeles to see USC get beat, but it was also for the experience that matters. Another thing I really loved about this stadium that USC does not have... ALL THE SEATS WERE COMFORTABLE!!... well the section I was in, every single one of them had cushion for extra comfort... perfect for you watch a long football game! =) read more

See all

For seven Saturdays a year, Alumni Stadium becomes my home. Its 44,500 seats are more inviting than my own bedroom. Everyone sitting there (or standing and cheering) with me becomes my family in what is easily the greatest reunion that I can ever be a part of. Alumni Stadium, which sits on Boston College's Lower Campus, is home of the Boston College Eagles football team. By college stadium standards, it is on the small side. Of the twelve teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, BC's Stadium ranks ninth in capacity. That said, it's a wonderful place to see consistently exciting football. The parking lots and, to an extent, the entire campus, becomes a party on the day of the game. The tailgate festivities are tremendous, and reflect the love of seafood and slow-cooked meats that make New England cuisine so much fun. A live band plays near one of the dining halls, the cheerleaders roam campus and the football team engages in an "Eagle Walk" to the stadium two hours before game time. Imagine a 45,000 person block party. The atmosphere is outstanding, as the amount of love BC fans have for their school is on display in every conceivable way. Inside the stadium, the food is fairly cheap and very good. Sausage sandwiches and hot dogs abound. As of this year, vendors now roam the aisles with drinks from insulated backpacks. The student section takes up about a quarter of the sidelines, clad in their yellow Superfans shirts, and they do get loud. They stand for the entire game, though most of the other fans stay seated until big third down defensive plays. For a stadium of its size, the noise generated is big. In the Northeast, where college football isn't as religious an experience as elsewhere, BC is the only bigtime football school for 300 miles. (No, Rutgers doesn't count, so don't ask. And sorry Syracuse, really.) As such, it's really the only game in town, and absolutely worth seeing. It is a different kind of vibe than any of the other sporting events in this, the greatest sports city in the country. If you've never been to a college football game, Alumni Stadium is a wonderful place to see your first. Come, join the family. read more

Went to my first game there on Saturday for the Notre Dame game, and it will be my last. YIKES! It was clear that the facility can not support a sellout crowd. Mens rooms, the size of a closet, only had one door (served as both in/out); after waiting on line for 30 minutes I realized that the bathrooms only had urinals; no toilet facilities. And forget any compliance with ADA requirements. Parking is attrocious and advance traffic and directional signing is even worse. A cop instructed me to park on Beacon Street, and I came out after the game to find that my car had been towed. If this dump is any indication of the state of BC athletic facilities, there is little question why they have become the bottom feeders of the ACC. read more

Mile long lines at the concessions. Way understaffed. Overpriced tickets. Paid 92.50 for 4 ticket. Wait for the beer/wine line was 20 minutes. Wait for limited food was a quick 15 minutes. Please see my picture posted. read more

Alumni Stadium - Beer line - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

See all

Full Disclosure: I'm a BC Alum and a long time season ticket holder (try 21 years and counting). But I think I can be honest about Alumni Stadium. It's nice, but a little limited. And for those who have had bad experiences with bathrooms it helps if you know the building. There are more facilities, more food, more shops and a little peace and quiet in Conte Forum, the arena attached to the South Side of the stadium. As to the quality of those facilities, etc.: the bathrooms get crowded, but no more so than at other similar arenas and stadiums. The food is mediocre at best. Nice clam chowder, good, salty popcorn but lousy pizza and forgettable hot dogs. But every seat has a good sight line, and at about 44,500 seats it qualifies as "medium." Big enough to make noise, but small enough to not be overwhelming. As to those folks who don't like the parking options, you can park along Hammond Pond Parkway and walk about 20 minutes, or you can take the T. Three different branches of the Green Line let off nearby, with the B line a 5 minute walk. This is not the sort of 'small city' stadium you'll find in places like Ann Arbor, College Station or South Bend. This is a more intimate location where tickets are expensive but not insane, where alumni and local fans are both welcome and easily able to attend, and where you'll see football ranging in quality over the years from "meh" to top notch. It's about a 3 and 1/2 star stadium, but if you know and love it it's a 4. read more

Pros: Clean bleachers, sunny in most spots, good atmosphere and tailgating. Cons: Narrow walkways, not much food choice, no alcohol served. Verdict: Would recommend. read more

BC football is a warm, friendly and unique experience in New England sports, giving the region its only taste of big-time college football. If you're a BC alum, BC football gameday is a slice of heaven. If you're not, it's still worth checking out. The stadium is limited by draconian restrictions on parking and tailgating caused by a combination of the BC Brighton neighbors being psychotic and of the BC administration looking to bilk customers for as much money as possible. Tailgating spots can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars for the season and is limited to just a few hours before and after the game. (If you've ever gone to a big time college football game someplace other than BC, you'll know that tailgating is supposed to be an all-day activity.) The stadium is clean and pleasant but plain. The atmosphere could be better in terms of creating a great home environment, as BC alums have a well-deserved reputation for hand-sitting, but the warmth and love for BC and the team is very palpable. The concessions are very very average. The best part of a trip to Alumni if you're a first time attendee is the overall college experience - the band, the TREMENDOUS, color-coordinated student section (very underrated - they show up for the full 60 minutes and are loud the whole way through), the "Eagle Walk" parade two hours before gametime where the cheerleaders and band lead the team through lower campus and into the stadium, the rivalries, the away fan section... it's all tremendous and, like I said, unique. It's a totally different feeling from pro sports in the area for better or for worse, and well worth a trip to Chestnut Hill. read more

For many years Boston College had the luxury of being the only division 1 NCAA football program in all of New England (since changed when UConn made the leap). Boston College is nestled on the outskirts of the City of Boston and the leafy suburbs of Newton. Parking at Alumni Field is an issue. Essentially the only tailgating spots are in the William J. Flynn Fund parking lots. That is not to say that fun can not be had. Nearby Cleveland Circle is perfect for those looking to grab a few pregame drinks and perhaps some food. As for getting to the game, there are 3 branches of the Green Line (light rail) that surround Boston College and all have stops within a 15 min walk of the stadium. There are few places in the world that are more pristine than Boston MA in the fall. Time it right and you will see spectacular foliage, crisp beautiful weather and quality ACC football. http://thecrosshairguide.com/2009/08/18/alumni-stadium-chestnut-hill-ma/ read more

Eagles on the war path, OOH AHH!

Small, tiny bathrooms and horrible parking. But still a nice place to see a game.

Getting to and from the stadium is a pain, once there, it doesn't seem to be any bad seats. took me an hour to get a taxi after the game, very limited parking. read more

This is one of the worst stadiums I have ever been in. Concessions and bathrooms are terrible. Boston College alumni should start making some noise. No wonder the Clemson crowd out numbered the BC crowd last night as I am sure for the alumni it's not worth it. Restrooms are three levels down and there are not enough of them. My wife and daughter missed and entire quarter waiting on line. Men's room for me had a line of 20 deep. Someone had thrown up in one of the stalls. There are no staff to clean and maintain during the game. Garbage pails overflowing and no paper towels by the third quarter. I understand it's not that easy to build new bathrooms but if you are going to pack that many people in a stadium then have staff on hand to clean the bathrooms, take out the garbage, cleanup the throw up and refill the paper towels. Also, for large games why not rent a bunch of ports potties and put them on the first level near the exits. Just common sense and the right way to treat paying customers. read more