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NCAA FCS

Christy Mathewson–Memorial StadiumLewisburg, Pennsylvania

Bucknell Bison

👥
Capacity
13,100
🏆
Conference
Patriot
📅
Opened
1924
🌱
Surface
FieldTurf (artificial turf)

📖About Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium

Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium opened in 1924 as the largest structure of its kind in Pennsylvania, seating 18,000. Originally dedicated as a war memorial, it was rededicated in 1989 to honor Baseball Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson, one of Bucknell's most distinguished alumni who gained his initial athletic fame as a fullback, punter and dropkicker from 1898-1900.

🏛️Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium History

Origins

The stadium was built in 1924 to provide Bucknell with a premier athletic facility for football and track. It was dedicated in honor of Bucknell men and women who served the United States in time of war, serving as a memorial to their service.

Major Renovations

1988South end seating converted to landscaping
1989$1.2M renovation with all-weather track, new scoreboard, concession stands and restrooms; stadium rededicated for Christy Mathewson
2001FieldTurf installed
2012New FieldTurf and track surfaces installed
2024Michael C. Pascucci Team Center opened as part of $40M pledge

Notable Moments

Oct 18, 1924Stadium dedication as largest facility of its kind in Pennsylvania
Sep 25, 1989Rededication ceremony honoring Christy Mathewson following major renovation
Apr 15, 2024Opening of Pascucci Family Athletics Complex, largest one-time commitment in university history

🎟️Visiting Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium

Best Seats

The stadium offers excellent sightlines throughout with a capacity of 13,100. Seats along the sidelines provide the best views of the action. The Rekortan Track separates the stands from the field, giving a classic stadium atmosphere.

Parking Tips

Parking is available in university lots near the stadium. Arrive early on game days for the best spots. The campus is located in downtown Lewisburg, a charming small town with street parking also available.

Game Day

Experience Bucknell football on the beautiful campus in Lewisburg. The FieldTurf surface and eight-lane track host football, men's lacrosse, and track and field teams. The Pascucci Team Center offers premier facilities for Division I student-athletes.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

The Bull Run

$

Popular Lewisburg tavern and a go-to gathering spot for Bucknell students and alumni on game days.

📍 0.5 miles605 Market St, Lewisburg

💡 Gets crowded after games. Casual atmosphere with pub fare and cold beer.

Brendan's Towne Tavern

$$

Full-service restaurant and bar in downtown Lewisburg serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with daily food and drink specials.

📍 0.5 miles600 Market St, Lewisburg

💡 Daily specials keep things interesting. Solid gastropub fare just steps from the Bull Run.

🍽️Restaurants

Elizabeth's An American Bistro

$$$

Upscale farm-to-table dining in a charming downtown Lewisburg setting. Known for creative seasonal menus.

📍 0.5 miles412 Market St, Lewisburg

💡 Reservations recommended on game weekends. One of the best restaurants in the Susquehanna Valley.

The Sealchie Pub

$$

Irish-inspired pub with hearty comfort food and a warm atmosphere in downtown Lewisburg.

📍 0.5 milesMarket St, Lewisburg

💡 Good spot for a pre-game meal. Fish and chips are a favorite.

🏨Hotels

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

$$

Modern hotel just minutes from Bucknell campus with complimentary breakfast and clean rooms.

📍 2 milesWestbranch Hwy, Lewisburg

💡 Book early for game weekends and graduation. Closest chain hotel to campus.

🎭Attractions

Packwood House Museum

$

A 27-room historic house museum built in the 1790s holding more than 10,000 pieces of central Pennsylvania decorative arts — furniture, ceramics, and one of the region's largest quilt collections — making it one of the most substantial folk-art troves in the state.

📍 1 mi15 N. Water St., Lewisburg, PA 17837

💡 Guided tours are available; call ahead (570-524-0323) to confirm current hours since the museum operates on limited days (Tue–Sat). Quilts alone are worth the trip.

Samek Art Museum (Downtown Gallery)

Free

The free public satellite gallery of Bucknell University's Samek Art Museum hosts rotating contemporary and regional exhibitions in a walkable downtown storefront, making it an easy cultural stop before or after a game.

📍 0.8 mi416 Market Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837

💡 Open Wed–Fri noon–5 pm, Sat–Sun 10 am–5 pm; the main campus gallery (Elaine Langone Center, 701 Moore Ave) closes for the summer — the downtown location stays open year-round. Brief closures between exhibitions do occur, so check the museum website before visiting.

The Piers Art Park

Free

A pocket outdoor art space built around concrete railroad coal-trestle piers, now serving as a canvas for murals and a stage for community performances. Following a major 2024 renovation, the park features paved paths, a new performance stage, and seating in an unexpected industrial-ruin setting.

📍 0.7 mi539 Cherry Alley, Lewisburg, PA 17837

💡 Accessible off Cherry Alley from North 5th Street parking lot. Construction was completed in late 2024; the stage is now active for summer events. Best light for photography is late afternoon.

Buffalo Valley Rail Trail

Free

A 9.3-mile mixed-surface rail trail connecting Lewisburg to Mifflinburg through open farmland, with interpretive signs on regional history and a flat, accessible surface suitable for walkers, cyclists, and families.

📍 0.5 miN. 13th St. Trailhead, Lewisburg, PA 17837 (near Miller Center for Recreation and Wellness)

💡 The Lewisburg end is the smoothest paved section; the middle stretch turns to gravel, so road bikes are fine for the first few miles. Watch for farm machinery at the road crossings. Trail is open dawn to dusk.

🅿️Parking Options

🅿️

University Lots

Free
Lot📍 Adjacent

💡 Several lots around the stadium open on game days. Arrive early for the closest spots.

🚗

Downtown Lewisburg Street Parking

Free
Street📍 0.5 miles

💡 Street parking along Market St is free on weekends. Pleasant walk through downtown to the stadium.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium? Share it with us.

Stadium Rankings

Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium ranks among the venues tracked on Fan Stamp as the 35th-oldest.

Closest Stadiums to Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium

Frequently Asked Questions About Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium

What is the capacity of Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium?
Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium has a seating capacity of 13,100.
Where is Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium located?
Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
What team plays at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium?
Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium is the home stadium of Bucknell Bison in the Patriot.
When was Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium built?
Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium opened in 1924.
Where are the best seats at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium?
The stadium offers excellent sightlines throughout with a capacity of 13,100. Seats along the sidelines provide the best views of the action. The Rekortan Track separates the stands from the field, giving a classic stadium atmosphere.
What are the best parking tips for Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium?
Parking is available in university lots near the stadium. Arrive early on game days for the best spots. The campus is located in downtown Lewisburg, a charming small town with street parking also available.
What type of surface does Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium have?
Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium has a fieldturf (artificial turf) playing surface.
What stadiums are near Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium?
The closest stadiums to Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium are Beaver Stadium (52 mi), Goodman Stadium (84 mi), Fisher Stadium (89 mi), Villanova Stadium (103 mi), Schoellkopf Field (105 mi), Delaware Stadium (107 mi).
How old is Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium?
Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium opened in 1924, making it 102 years old. It ranks #35 among the oldest stadiums in the country.

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.