Houlihan's Stadium

Houlihan's Stadium (formerly Tampa Stadium) was a sports venue in Tampa that opened in 1967 as Tampa Stadium (later changed when the Glazer family acquired the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and renamed the stadium after a family-owned restaurant), and saw a number of major sporting teams and events grace its fields over the years. The stadium is most closely associated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who played their NFL games there from 1976 to 1997. The first official game was held September 19, 1976, in which the Buccaneers lost to the San Diego Chargers 23-0. The final appearance for the Buccaneers was an NFL wild card playoff game against the Detroit Lions on December 28, 1997, which the Buccaneers won 20-10. In the fall of 1998, the Buccaneers moved into the new Raymond James Stadium next door.

Related Topics:
Sports - Venue - Tampa - 1967 - Tampa Stadium - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Restaurant - NFL - 1976 - 1997 - September 19 - San Diego Chargers - Detroit Lions - December 28 - Raymond James Stadium

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The stadium was originally built with a capacity of 45,000 for the University of Tampa Spartans football team, which was disbanded in 1974. Other tenants include the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the soccer team of Tampa Bay, who brought home a cup victory in 1975. After the NASL disbanded, the Rowdies quickly died off. When the MLS gave Tampa the chance to have another major soccer team, many expected the revival of the Rowdies, however the Tampa Bay Mutiny was born. The Tampa Bay Mutiny started with an impressive first season, being the top in the league. In 2001 they were disbanded due to MLS reorganization. In the Mutiny's last season, they finished last. During a short stint from 1983-1985, the Tampa Bay Bandits, a USFL football team, also played in Tampa Stadium. Finally, the USF Bulls football team played its initial season at the stadium in 1997.

Related Topics:
University of Tampa - 1974 - Tampa Bay Rowdies - Soccer - 1975 - NASL - MLS - Tampa Bay Mutiny - 2001 - Tampa Bay Bandits - USFL - USF

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The stadium's capacity was 74,301, although it rarely reached full capacity outside of a few major concerts. The Super Bowl was held there twice, Super Bowl XVIII in January 1984 and Super Bowl XXV in January 1991. The NFC Championship of the 1979 season and several other Buccaneers playoff games have been held there. The stadium was dubbed "The Big Sombrero" by ESPN's Chris Berman for its Mexican hatlike shape. The stadium consisted entirely of bench seating, though skyboxes were added in the mid 1980s. In 1998, the stadium was demolished and the land was converted into a parking lot for the new Raymond James Stadium adjacent to the property.

Related Topics:
Concerts - Super Bowl - Super Bowl XVIII - 1984 - Super Bowl XXV - 1991 - NFC Championship - 1979 - Playoff - Sombrero - ESPN - Chris Berman - Mexican - 1980s - 1998 - Raymond James Stadium

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On June 3, 1981, the NFL awarded Tampa Stadium its first Super Bowl, which would be held in January 1984. During the balloting, Tampa beat out Dallas, Detroit, Miami, New Orleans and Pasadena.

Related Topics:
June 3 - 1981 - NFL - Super Bowl - January - 1984 - Dallas - Detroit - Miami - New Orleans - Pasadena

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On May 20, 1987, the NFL awarded Tampa Stadium its second Super Bowl, which would be held in January 1991. During the balloting, Tampa beat out Anaheim, Los Angeles, Miami and San Diego.

Related Topics:
May 20 - 1987 - NFL - Super Bowl - January - 1991 - Anaheim - Los Angeles - Miami - San Diego

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From 1986 to 1998, the Outback Bowl (formerly the Hall of Fame Bowl) was held there for college football. In January 1999, it also was relocated to Raymond James Stadium.

Related Topics:
1986 - 1998 - Outback Bowl - College football - January 1999

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