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Spartan Stadium will enter its 86th season as home to Michigan State football in 2009. Since its opening in 1923, Michigan State has won nearly 69 percent of its games played in Spartan Stadium.

In 2005, the natural grass playing surface in Spartan Stadium earned Field of the Year honors from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).

Spartan Stadium represents a tribute to Michigan State's football past and a vote of confidence in its future. A $64 million expansion project completed prior to the start of the 2005 football season features the addition of nearly 3,000 seats, including 24 suites and a 193-seat press box, bringing the current stadium capacity to 75,005. "The Spartan" statue has been relocated to the atrium of the new structure. The 200,000-square-foot addition also houses the MSU Alumni Association, University Development and other units. The MSU Board of Trustees approved the major addition and expansion project of Spartan Stadium in September 2003.

Prior to the 2002 season, ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Spartan Stadium No. 8 on his list of the nation's most scenic venues.

Natural grass returned to Spartan Stadium in 2002 after a 33-year absence, with the installation of a modular field. The new playing surface, planted in May of 2001 at MSU's Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, is comprised of a blend of nine varieties of Kentucky bluegrass. The original switch from natural grass to artificial turf came in time for the 1969 season.

Since 1957, capacity crowds have attended 150 games in Spartan Stadium, including the single-game record 80,401 fans who witnessed MSU's 20-19 loss to top-ranked Notre Dame on Sept. 22, 1990. The Spartans have ranked among the NCAA's top 25 in attendance each of the last 53 seasons, including 20th in 2008, averaging 74,858 fans per game.

Season-ticket sales have topped the 60,000 mark five times in Spartan football history, with an all-time record 61,479 season tickets purchased in 2000.

A series of projects paralleling the Spartans' rise to national football prominence enlarged the steel-and-concrete facility from its original 14,000 seats in 1923 to its present size in 1957.

The first came in 1935, the year in which the stadium was officially named Macklin Field, boosting the capacity to 26,000. The 1948 enlargement raised the total to 51,000. After 9,000 new seats upped the capacity to 60,000 in 1956, the upper decks were added to the east and west stands in 1957, bringing the capacity to 76,000. It also became Spartan Stadium that year. Renovations during the summer of 1994 improved sightlines and comfort for fans, while reducing the capacity to its current 75,005.

On Oct. 6, 2001, Spartan Stadium added another chapter to its storied history as a world-record crowd of 74,554 attended the MSU-Michigan outdoor hockey game.

Prior to the 1998 season, a Mitsubishi Diamond Vision was installed in the south end zone and a new scoreboard and black and white message board were added to the north end zone. The CRT video display measures 21 feet x 27 feet and it is operated from a digital production control room in the Breslin Center. The video display board shows live game action, replays and special features. In addition, a concert-quality 50,000-watt sound system was installed.

In 1998, Spartan Stadium celebrated its 75th anniversary plus it reached another milestone that season when it played host to its 400th game, a 29-5 MSU victory over Northwestern on Oct. 31.

With its 49-14 victory over No. 4 Wisconsin in the 2004 home finale, Michigan State recorded its 300th win in Spartan Stadium. Michigan State has compiled a 316-139-13 record (.689) since taking up residency in Spartan Stadium (formerly Macklin Field) in 1923. The Spartans have gone undefeated at home 16 times since the stadium opened, including a perfect 6-0 mark in 1999. It marked MSU's first undefeated home record since 1966 (5-0-1) and its first unbeaten and untied home slate since 1965 (5-0-0). In addition, Michigan State has suffered only one home loss during a season 28 times. Only nine times in the history of the stadium have the Spartans experienced a losing record at home.

Michigan State's longest home winning streak is 19 games from Oct. 14, 1950, through Nov. 21, 1953.

From Capital City Airport: Turn right (west) onto Grand River Avenue to Waverly Road and turn left (south). Follow Waverly to I-496 East. Follow I-496 East to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

From the South (Jackson): Take US 127 North to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

From the North (St. Johns): Take US 127 South to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

From the East (Detroit): I-96 West to US 127 (Exit 106) North to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

From the West (Grand Rapids): I-96 East to I-496 East (Exit 95) to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

From the Southwest (Charlotte): I-69 North to I-96 East to US 127 North to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

From the Northeast (Flint): I-69 South to US 127 South to Trowbridge Road exit. Turn left (north) at first traffic light, which is Harrison Road. Turn right (east) on Shaw Lane. Spartan Stadium will be on the left.

The Guest Services window, available for general information, is located in the west stadium concourse between Gates G & H, behind Section 26.

Tickets
All persons, including children of all ages, must have a ticket for admission to Spartan Stadium. Re-entry is prohibited at Spartan Stadium. Once you exit the stadium, you may not re-enter. Gates open 1 1/2 hours prior to the scheduled game time. The Tower, for access to the suites and LaSalle Bank Club will open two hours before the game. For tickets call the MSU athletic ticket office at (517) 355-1610 or 1-800-GO-STATE.

Will Call
The Ticket Will Call is located on the west side of the stadium between Gates G & H, behind Section 26, and opens 1 1/2 hours before the scheduled game time. Proper identification is required before the release of tickets.

Concessions
Concession stands are located on the stadium concourse and ramp levels.

Rest Rooms
Rest rooms are located beneath sections 6, 11, 21, 26, 105 and 112. Additional rest rooms are located on the Upper West concourse.

First Aid Emergency Service
In the case of illness or accident, contact the nearest police officer or usher. Nurses are on duty during the game at units in the East concourse (opposite section 8), West concourse (opposite section 20) and Upper West concourse (opposite section 123).

Accessible Seating
Accessible seating is available in the north end zone and is accessible from ramps through sections 1, 2 and 30. Additional seating is available on the west side of the stadium between sections 21 and 22 and is accessible from the ramp through section 21. Accessible and partner seating is available on the sixth floor of the West side. Please go to the Ticket Will Call - located on the west side of the stadium between Gates G & H, behind Section 26 - for assistance.

Programs
Programs are sold inside and outside the stadium at various locations.

Police Information Booth
Located on the East concourse opposite section 8.

Lost and Found Articles
Items should be reported to the Police Information Booth no later than 45 minutes after the game. Later inquiries should be directed to the Lost and Found Department, Student Union Building (517-355-3497).

Personal Announcements
Announcements are made over the public address system only in cases of grave emergency. Physicians anticipating emergency calls can arrange message services by contacting attendants at the information booth under section 8. This service cannot be extended to the general public.

Regulations
For the safety and enjoyment of all fans, we ask that you observe the following regulations. The following items are strictly prohibited inside Spartan Stadium: Alcoholic beverages; smoking in the seating area; large cameras; video cameras; radios; TV sets; bells, whistles, sirens and horns; banners and signs; umbrellas; seatbacks; strollers; binocular/camera cases; containers of any kind; bags larger than 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2. The use of a ticket to an event authorizes an inspection at the point of entry to ensure the absence of prohibited materials. Admission will be denied to anyone carrying any of the prohibited items.

Field Level Exits and the Playing Field
Field level exits are for the use of authorized personnel only. Spectators must remain off the field before and after the game. Please exit through the ramp and section exits only.

Code of Conduct
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics promotes good sportslike conduct and encourages fans to exhibit the highest level of sportsmanship by supporting the participants in a positive manner. Any disruptive or intimidating behavior will not be tolerated. These actions are considered grounds for removal from the stadium and may preclude the offender from purchasing tickets to future Spartan Athletic events.