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 Protective Stadium in 2021 | |
 Interactive map of Protective Stadium | |
| Address | 1101 22nd St N Birmingham, Alabama United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°31′40″N86°48′33″W / 33.5278°N 86.8092°W /33.5278; -86.8092 |
| Owner | Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority |
| Operator | Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority |
| Capacity | 47,100[1] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | December 13, 2018 |
| Opened | October 2, 2021 |
| Construction cost | US$175 million |
| Architect | Populous Goodwyn Mills Cawood |
| Structural engineer | Walter P. Moore[citation needed] |
| General contractor | Brasfield & Gorrie[citation needed] |
| Tenants | |
| UAB Blazers (NCAA) 2021–present Birmingham Bowl (NCAA) 2021–present Birmingham Legion FC (USLC) 2022–present Birmingham Stallions (UFL) 2022–present New Orleans Breakers (USFL) 2022–2023 | |
| Website | |
| Protective Stadium | |
Protective Stadium is an outdoor multi-purpose stadium located in downtownBirmingham, Alabama, United States. It is owned and operated by theBirmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority (BJCC). The stadium officially opened in 2021 and is named forProtective Life, a financial services holding company based in Birmingham, under a 15-yearnaming rights agreement worth $1 million annually.[2][3]
The stadium serves as the home venue for theUAB Blazers football team, theBirmingham Stallions of theUnited Football League (UFL), andBirmingham Legion FC of theUSL Championship. It also hosts the annualBirmingham Bowl, a post-season college football bowl game.[4]
The stadium was constructed as part of a larger redevelopment plan for downtown Birmingham and has quickly become a central hub for sports and entertainment events in the region.
The Stadium became the home of theUAB Blazers football program beginning with the 2021 season, replacing the historicLegion Field, which had served as the team's home since 1991. The transition to a new, modern venue was considered a milestone for the program, offering enhanced facilities, a better location, and improved fan experiences.
TheBlazers played their first game at Protective Stadium on October 2, 2021, against theLiberty Flames.[5] The matchup marked the official debut of the stadium and drew widespread local and regional attention, with over 35,000 fans in attendance.[6] The event was viewed as a major milestone in the continued growth and revitalization of UAB’s football program, which had previously been shut down in 2014 before being reinstated in 2017. The move to a new, purpose-built downtown facility was seen as a symbol of the program's resurgence and long-term stability.[citation needed] For Birmingham, the opening of the stadium represented a key achievement in downtown redevelopment efforts and a renewed commitment to hosting high-profile sporting events.[citation needed]
The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 47,100, and includes modern features such as premium seating, suites, updated locker rooms, and a high definition video board.[7]
In December 2021, the stadium hosted the Super 7, thefootball championship games of theAlabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), as part of a three-year rotation withBryant–Denny Stadium inTuscaloosa andJordan–Hare Stadium inAuburn that will run through at least 2032.[8][a]
The stadium has hosted the annualBirmingham Bowl since the bowl's2021 edition—played on December 28, 2021, it was the first event at the venue to sell out.[9]
TheUnited States Football League (USFL) played most of its 2022 games in Birmingham at Protective Stadium with the rest played atLegion Field.[10] In 2023, Protective Stadium became one of the league's four hub sites, hosting home games for theBirmingham Stallions and also "home" games for theNew Orleans Breakers.[11] The Stallions continued to play at Protective in 2024 and 2025 following the USFL's merger into theUnited Football League.[12]
Birmingham Legion FC, aUSLC soccer team, has played at Protective Stadium since the 2022 season.[13] Birmingham Legion FC set a club-best attendance mark of 18,418 fans in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match played againstMajor League Soccer (MLS) clubInter Miami CF on June 7, 2023.[14]
On June 4, 2022, the stadium hosted its inaugural concert, featuring country music legendGarth Brooks. This event marked the first concert at the stadium and Brooks' first performance in Birmingham in seven years. The concert attracted over 50,000 attendees, setting a new attendance record for the venue.[15] It was also the only stop of Brooks2022 Stadium Tour in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
In March 2024, the stadium hosted Round 9 of the Monster EnergyAMA Supercross Championship Series marking its debut as a Supercross venue and becoming only the second Alabama stop in the series’ roughly 50 year history. Jett Lawrence took the 450SX main event win during the stadium’s inaugural Supercross race.[16]
On March 23, 2024, the stadium hosted a round of the 2024 Monster Jam Stadium Championship Series West, marking the first Monster Jam stadium show ever held in Alabama.[17]
On October 11, 2025, R&B artistChris Brown broughtBreezy Bowl XX tour to the stadium. This marked one of the largest R&B events held at the venue since its opening in 2021.[18][19]
| Rank | Attendance | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | approx. 50,000[15] | June 4, 2022 | Garth Brooksconcert |
| 2 | 47,100[1][b] | December 28, 2021 | Houston 17 –Auburn 13 |
| 3 | 37,167 | October 2, 2021 | UAB 12 –Liberty 36 |
| 4 | 32,542[20] | September 1, 2022 | UAB 59 –Alabama A&M 0 |
| 5 | approx. 27,000[21] | July 7, 2022 | World Games Opening Ceremony |
| 6 | 25,363 | August 31, 2023 | UAB 35 –North Carolina A&T 6 |
| 7 | 25,191 | October 9, 2021 | UAB 31 –Florida Atlantic 14 |
| 8 | 24,845 | October 23, 2021 | UAB 24 –Rice 30 |
| 9 | 24,302 | September 17, 2022 | UAB 35 –Georgia Southern 21 |
| 10 | 23,694 | October 8, 2022 | UAB 41 –Middle Tennessee 14 |