Operator Global Spectrum Surface Kentucky Bluegrass Capacity 40,642 Phone +1 860-610-4700 | Record attendance 42,704 (Sept. 2013) Broke ground October 21, 2000 Opened 30 August 2003 | |
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Location 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118 Address 615 Silver Ln, East Hartford, CT 06118, USA Similar Faurot Field, XL Center, Harry A Gampel Pavilion, Pope Park, Bright House Networks Profiles | ||
Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field is a stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. It is primarily used for football and soccer, and is the home field of the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies. In the fall of 2010, it was home to the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. The stadium, which opened in 2003, was the first stadium used primarily by an NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) team to open in the 21st century. The permanent stadium capacity is 40,642 consisting of 38,110 permanent seats with an additional 2,532 standing room in the scoreboard plaza. It also has a game day capability to add approximately 2,000 temporary seats as it did for UConn football vs. Michigan in 2013. Connecticut played on campus at Memorial Stadium in Storrs, before 2003.
Contents
- History
- Connecticut Huskies
- US Mens National Soccer Team
- US Womens National Soccer Team
- Hartford Colonials
- Whalers Hockey Fest
- References
Rentschler Field was originally the name of the company airfield for Pratt & Whitney that formerly occupied the site. The airfield, which began operations in 1931, was named after Frederick Brant Rentschler, who founded the aircraft arm of Pratt & Whitney and later founded its current parent company, United Technologies. It was originally used for test flights and maintenance operations, and later for corporate aviation. The 75-acre (30 ha) site was decommissioned as an airport in the 1990s, and donated to the state of Connecticut by United Technologies in 1999. A subsequent 65-acre donation by United Technologies in 2009 allowed for the construction of additional grass parking lots adjacent to the Stadium.
Pursuant to a lease agreement with the State, UConn plays all its home football games at Rentschler Field.
History
The New England Patriots considered moving to Connecticut and sharing a stadium with the UConn football team in the mid-1990s. The new stadium was supposed to be built on the Connecticut Convention Center site in downtown Hartford. However, when the Patriots completed the deal for Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, the Hartford stadium plan was scaled down and the location was moved to East Hartford. The current capacity of 40,642 can expand to 50,000 with limited rehabilitation and has the layout and design for expansion of up to 60,000 seats in the future.
The stadium is owned by the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, while operations are overseen by the quasi-public Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). Global Spectrum, L.P. has managed the building on behalf of CRDA since 2013. Previously, the Stadium was managed by Bushnell Management Services (2011-2013), Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)(2007-2011) and Madison Square Garden L.P. (2003-2007).
On July 16, 2015, it was announced that Rentschler Field had been renamed Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in a deal between Pratt & Whitney and UConn. In return, Pratt and Whitney donated additional land that will be used for game day parking.
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies football team has an all time 57–34 home field advantage at Rentschler Field.
US Men's National Soccer Team
Rentschler Field has hosted several United States men's national soccer team's home games, including Landon Donovan's last game for the National Team on October 10, 2014.
US Women's National Soccer Team
Rentschler Field has hosted several United States women's national soccer team's home games.
Hartford Colonials
The Hartford Colonials were a United Football League team that played their home games at Rentschler Field. During their (2010 UFL season), the Colonials played all four home games at Rentschler, after having played one there the previous season while they were known as the New York Sentinels. Attendance at Colonials games averaged a consistent 15,000 people, third place in the five-team league behind Omaha and Sacramento. The UFL suspended the Colonials franchise in 2011 and the franchise was officially terminated when the team's former owner (Bill Mayer) was named as the new owner of a different franchise.
Whalers Hockey Fest
From February 11 to the 20th, 2011, the stadium hosted the Whalers Hockey Fest 2011. A hockey rink was constructed on the field much like is done for the annual NHL Winter Classic. Events included a Hartford Whalers Alumni vs. Boston Bruins Alumni game, a double-header featuring both UConn men's and women's hockey teams, a Hockey Legends team faced off against the Mystery, Alaska Hollywood team, and the second edition of the American Hockey League Outdoor Classic between the host Connecticut Whale and the Providence Bruins. Over 15,000 fans came out to watch the so-called "Whale Bowl", while over 1,700 attended the UConn men's game.