John F. Kennedy Stadium

John F. Kennedy Stadium (originally known as Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, later also referred to as JFK Stadium) was an open-air stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that stood from 1925 to 1992. It was a classic 1920s-style design, consisting of a horseshoe surrounding a track and football field, with bleachers at the open end. The stadium once sat 100,000 to 110,000 people, but in later years had a capacity of about 75,000.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 1925 - 1992

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The stadium was in South Philadelphia along Broad Street. In one sense, it was decades ahead of its time, because all of the city's pro sports teams' facilities are now located in that area.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was first constructed in time for the 1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, and hosted a light heavyweight boxing match between Georges Carpentier and Tommy Loughran.

Related Topics:
1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition - Georges Carpentier - Tommy Loughran

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

JFK Stadium was chiefly known for years as the host of numerous Army-Navy games. It also hosted concerts from time to time, notably the American portion of Live Aid on July 13, 1985. Other than that concert, only three musical groups ever sold out the stadium: The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Peter Frampton. The Beatles also played there, but did not fill it. The Philadelphia Eagles football team played here from 1936 to 1939.

Related Topics:
Army-Navy games - Live Aid - July 13 - 1985 - The Rolling Stones - Bruce Springsteen - Peter Frampton - The Beatles - Philadelphia Eagles

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The stadium was also home to the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League of 1974-1975. The under-attended WFL or "Wiffle" was the subject of endless jokes. One was that the Bell were setting records for number of empty seats. However, it is fair to note that the WFL lasted one season longer than did the recent and much-hyped league called the XFL.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia Bell - World Football League - 1974 - 1975 - XFL

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The stadium was not well maintained over the years, and it was condemned on July 13, 1989 by Mayor Wilson Goode. A concert on July 7th by the Grateful Dead was the last public event held at the stadium. It was demolished in 1992. The Wachovia Center now stands on the site.

Related Topics:
July 13 - 1989 - Wilson Goode - July 7th - Grateful Dead - 1992 - Wachovia Center

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~