Remember the roar of the crowd. Recall the clash of helmets. The echoes of history resonate within these walls of Kezar Stadium.
Kezar Stadium stands in Golden Gate Park. It is more than just a sports venue. It is a living monument to San Francisco’s athletic heritage.
In 1922, the San Francisco Park Commission received a generous gift. Mary Kezar’s estate donated $100,000. This funded a memorial to her mother and uncles. The City and County added $200,000. Construction finished in a year.
The dedication on May 2, 1925, was grand. Ville Ritola and Paavo Nurmi raced. These Finnish runners were legends. The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships followed soon after.
Kezar Stadium’s story is diverse. In the 1930s, it hosted everything. There were track meets and motorcycle races. Auto racing, rugby and lacrosse all took place here. Soccer, baseball, boxing, and even cricket found a home. The Australian Cricket Team played here in 1932. Several colleges also called Kezar home. These included Santa Clara, USF and St. Mary’s. Lowell High School and San Francisco Polytechnic played here too. The East–West Shrine Game began at Kezar in 1926.
High school football has deep roots here. In 1928, Polytechnic and Lowell drew over 50,000 fans. This remains a Northern California record. Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep still plays home games here. The Bruce-Mahoney rivalry game is a highlight.
Kezar Stadium holds college football history. In 1940, it hosted a major double header. Stanford played San Francisco. Santa Clara faced Utah.
The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders first called Kezar home. Many NFL Hall of Famers played here. The first alley-oop thrilled Kezar crowds.
However, Kezar wasn’t loved by all. Art Donovan described the “look of dread” on visiting players. He cited poor conditions. Inadequate dressing rooms existed. There was a long dusty tunnel. The turf was shredded. Seagulls added insult to injury.
The 49ers’ last game at Kezar was in 1971. They lost the NFC Championship to the Dallas Cowboys. The team then moved to Candlestick Park.
After the 49ers left, Kezar became a concert venue. The SNACK Benefit Concert in 1975 was legendary. The Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Starship and the Grateful Dead played. So did Santana, Bob Dylan and Neil Young.
Facing demolition, Kezar sold its bleacher planks in 1989. The stadium was rebuilt. It reopened with a smaller capacity of 10,000. Upgrades included a new track and a grass field.
During reconstruction, the field shifted slightly. A replica of the original arch was built. It honors Bob St. Clair. He starred at Kezar in high school, college and the NFL.
Renovations in 2014-2015 added Candlestick Park seats. These seats connect fans to two iconic stadiums.
Kezar Stadium remains active today. San Francisco City FC plays here. The stadium hosts various sports. Lacrosse, soccer, and Gaelic football all take place here.
The spirit of Kezar Stadium lives on. It’s in every game played. It’s in every cheering fan. It is a place where memories are made. Kezar is a true San Francisco landmark.