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Valley Children's Stadium - home of Fresno State in Fresno, CA
NCAA FBS

Valley Children's StadiumFresno, California

Fresno State

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
Capacity
40,727
๐Ÿ†
Conference
Pac-12
๐Ÿ“…
Opened
1980
๐ŸŒฑ
Surface
FieldTurf

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๐ŸˆTrack All NCAA FBS๐Ÿ“View on Map

๐Ÿ“–About Valley Children's Stadium

Valley Children's Stadium (formerly Bulldog Stadium) features checkerboard end zones and a "sunken bowl" design that creates intense atmosphere. Fresno State has a .750 home winning percentage in the 40,727-seat venue.

๐Ÿ›๏ธValley Children's Stadium History

Origins

Opened November 25, 1980 with $7M raised by local residentsโ€”no tax dollars used. Jim Sweeney era began with dramatic improvement in program fortunes.

Major Renovations

1991Sky suites and expansion to 40,000 capacity
2019New AstroTurf, LED lighting system
2022Renamed Valley Children's Stadium

Notable Moments

Nov 3, 2001Beat #10 Oregon State 44-24; fans rushed field, tore down goalposts
Dec 7, 2013First Mountain West Championship Game: Derek Carr & Davante Adams starred
2001Averaged 42,802 fans; program reached #8 national ranking

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธVisiting Valley Children's Stadium

Best Seats

Sunken bowl design puts fans close to action. Red-and-white checkerboard end zones like Tennessee.

Parking Tips

Campus parking available. Fresno downtown accessible.

Game Day

Bulldog Stadium hosted California Bowl 1981-1991. Jeff Tedford played first game here. Boise State rivalry is fierce.

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธLocal Recommendations

๐ŸบBars & Drinks

Dog House Grill

$$

Old reliable for Fresno sports fans, located directly across from Fresno State campus. Known for fast service, quality food, 16 TVs, and sports memorabilia.

๐Ÿ“ 0.2 miles2789 E Shaw Ave

๐Ÿ’ก The tri-tip sandwich is signature. Arrive early on gamedayโ€”this place fills up with Bulldog fans.

Field House

$$

Casual, laid-back gameday experience in northeast Fresno with friendly staff. Full bar with plenty of taps and diverse menu.

๐Ÿ“ 3.5 miles2042 E Copper Ave

๐Ÿ’ก Great for watching other games before Fresno State kicks off. The burgers and pizza are excellent.

Tipzy's Tacos and Beer

$$

Tower District staple offering quality, affordable Mexican food with plenty of TVs. Often has deals for major sporting events.

๐Ÿ“ 4.5 miles920 E Olive Ave

๐Ÿ’ก Check for gameday specials. The Tower District vibe is unique in Fresno.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธRestaurants

Livingstone's Restaurant and Pub

$$$

Historic Tower District spot known as "Stones." Full bar, dark-wooded speakeasy interior, patio seating, and fresh ingredients.

๐Ÿ“ 4.3 miles1615 E Olive Ave

๐Ÿ’ก The patio is perfect for pre-game dining. Great atmosphere in the historic Tower District.

Veni Vidi Vici's

$$$

Highly rated Italian food in the Tower District. Often considered one of the best restaurants in town.

๐Ÿ“ 4.8 miles1116 N Fulton St

๐Ÿ’ก Perfect for a celebratory post-game dinner. The Italian cuisine is exceptional.

Casa de Tamales

$$

Killer tamales and tequila bar with cocktails like margaritas. Tower District favorite.

๐Ÿ“ 4.7 miles645 E Olive Ave

๐Ÿ’ก The tamales are legendary. Try the margaritas at the tequila bar.

๐ŸจHotels

Piccadilly Inn University

$$

Closest hotel to Valley Children's Stadium, directly across from campus.

๐Ÿ“ 0.3 miles4961 N Cedar Ave

๐Ÿ’ก Walking distance to the stadium. Book months in advance for gameday weekends.

Hampton Inn & Suites Fresno Northwest

$$$

Comfortable hotel near campus with modern amenities.

๐Ÿ“ 2.5 miles7645 N Palm Bluffs Ave

๐Ÿ’ก Good value with easy access to both campus and downtown Fresno.

๐ŸŽญAttractions

Checkerboard End Zones

Free

Distinctive red-and-white checkerboard end zones similar to Tennessee. A unique Bulldog Stadium tradition.

๐Ÿ“ 0 milesValley Children's Stadium

๐Ÿ’ก Take photos of the iconic checkerboard pattern. It's one of the few in college football.

Tower District

Free

Historic arts and entertainment district with unique restaurants, bars, and cultural venues.

๐Ÿ“ 4.5 milesTower District, Fresno

๐Ÿ’ก Explore the Tower District before or after the game for a taste of Fresno's culture.

๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธParking Options

๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Campus Parking Lots

$20
Lot๐Ÿ“ 0.2 miles

๐Ÿ’ก General parking available around the stadium. Arrive early as lots fill up quickly.

๐ŸŽ‰

Bulldog Stadium Tailgate Lots

$25
Tailgate๐Ÿ“ 0.1 miles

๐Ÿ’ก Prime tailgating spots near the stadium. Reserve in advance for guaranteed access.

๐ŸšŒ

FAX Bus Service

$1.50
Shuttle๐Ÿ“ Various locations

๐Ÿ’ก Public transit option from downtown and other locations. Check schedules for gameday service.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Valley Children's Stadium? Share it with us.

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๐Ÿ”ฅFresno State Rivals

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Boise, ID

โ†’

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San Jose, CA

Closest Stadiums to Valley Children's Stadium

โ†’

Mustang Memorial Field

Cal Poly Mustangs

San Luis Obispo, California116 mi
โ†’

CEFCU Stadium

San Jose State

San Jose, CA121 mi
โ†’

Stanford Stadium

Stanford

Stanford, CA139 mi
โ†’

Hornet Stadium

Sacramento State

Sacramento, CA151 mi
โ†’

California Memorial Stadium

California

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โ†’

Sutter Health Park

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References

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