Skip to main content
Saluki Stadium - home of Southern Illinois Salukis in Carbondale, Illinois
NCAA FCS

Saluki StadiumCarbondale, Illinois

Southern Illinois Salukis

👥
Capacity
15,000
🏆
Conference
Missouri Valley
📅
Opened
2010
🌱
Surface
FieldTurf (Duraspine PRO, 2019)

Quick Actions

🏈Track All NCAA FCS📍View on Map

📖About Saluki Stadium

Saluki Stadium is a modern horseshoe-shaped facility on the Southern Illinois University campus in Carbondale, Illinois, that opened in 2010. With a capacity of 15,276, this $29.9 million stadium replaced the historic McAndrew Stadium after 73 seasons. Part of the ambitious $83 million Saluki Way Project, the stadium features 1,080 prime chairback seats, a grass berm in the north end zone, and a Daktronics video board installed in 2019. At the time of construction, Saluki Stadium was the newest of 12 stadiums built by an FCS school since 2000, representing SIU's commitment to competitive excellence.

🏛️Saluki Stadium History

Origins

Saluki Stadium was built to replace the aging McAndrew Stadium, which had served SIU football from 1937 to 2009. The new facility was part of the comprehensive Saluki Way Project, a $83 million initiative to renovate and restructure the university's athletic facilities, including the SIU Arena and a new athletic support facility.

Major Renovations

2010Saluki Stadium opened September 2 with $29.9M construction cost as part of $83M Saluki Way Project, featuring horseshoe design, 15,000 capacity, chairback seats, and grass berm end zone
2019Daktronics video board installed in north end zone with expanded concessions and restrooms

Notable Moments

Sep 2, 2010Stadium grand opening - sellout crowd of 15,200 watched Salukis defeat Quincy 70-7

🎟️Visiting Saluki Stadium

Best Seats

The 1,080 prime chairback seats offer premium comfort and excellent views. Mid-level seating on the horseshoe sides provides great sightlines of the entire field. The grass berm in the north end zone offers a unique, relaxed atmosphere at affordable prices perfect for families.

Parking Tips

Campus parking lots surround Saluki Stadium. Arrive 2 hours early for best availability. The stadium's location on campus makes it accessible from multiple directions. Follow parking attendant directions on game days.

Game Day

Saluki Stadium represents a new era for SIU football. The modern facility includes significantly expanded concessions and restrooms compared to the old stadium. The Daktronics video board enhances the game experience. The nearby athletic support facility houses football offices and locker rooms. Explore Carbondale's vibrant restaurant scene before or after games.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

Hangar 9

$

College campus bar with very good draught beer selection, popular with students and alumni.

📍 0.8 milesNear SIU campus

💡 Great beer selection for a college bar, fills up on game days.

View on map →

Key West

$$

Known for amazing Bloody Marys and really good cocktails, popular SIU bar.

📍 0.9 milesNear SIU campus

💡 Don't miss their signature Bloody Marys.

View on map →

PK's Bar

$

Locally-owned favorite in Carbondale with casual atmosphere.

📍 1.2 miles308 S. Illinois Avenue

💡 Classic college bar, part of the Carbondale scene for years.

View on map →

🍽️Restaurants

Global Gourmet

$$

Locally-owned restaurant featuring international cuisine and innovative dishes.

📍 1.3 miles102 E. Jackson Street

💡 Diverse menu with global influences, great for adventurous eaters.

View on map →

Flame Grill and Bar

$$

Popular Carbondale establishment with American fare and full bar.

📍 1.5 miles501 E. Walnut Street

💡 Solid all-around option for groups.

View on map →

Underground Public House

$$

Gastropub atmosphere with craft beers and elevated pub fare.

📍 0.7 miles717 S. University Avenue

💡 Close to campus, good beer selection.

View on map →

🎭Attractions

Giant City State Park

Free

A 4,000-acre Illinois state park named for its massive sandstone bluffs that form canyon-like "streets," offering hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a historic New Deal-era stone lodge.

📍 11 mi235 Giant City Road, Makanda, IL 62958

💡 The 0.75-mile Giant City Nature Trail is the most accessible route to the iconic sandstone formations; the Visitor Center (open 8am–3:30pm) has geology displays and trail maps. Park hours are 7am–10pm.

View on map →

Little Grand Canyon

Free

A National Natural Landmark in Shawnee National Forest where a 3.6-mile loop trail descends through a dramatic box canyon flanked by 300-foot sandstone bluffs, bottomland forest, and long-range views over the Big Muddy River floodplain.

📍 ~15 miLittle Grand Canyon Road, Pomona, IL 62975

💡 Wear sturdy footwear — the canyon descent follows a wet, rocky streambed that can be slippery. Bring water; none is available at the trailhead. Trail is hiker-only (no bikes or horses).

View on map →

African American Museum of Southern Illinois

Free

The only African American history museum between Chicago and Chattanooga, housing Underground Railroad quilts, photographs, art, and artifacts that document the achievements and heritage of Black residents across Southern Illinois. Founded in 1997 by Milton and Corene McDaniel.

📍 ~2 miUniversity Mall, 1237 E. Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62901

💡 Admission is free; donations are welcomed. Open Tuesday–Saturday 11am–5pm. Located inside University Mall (entrance #8, former Hallmark location) with free parking.

View on map →

🅿️Parking Options

🅿️

Stadium Campus Lots

$10
Lot📍 0.1-0.3 miles

💡 Arrive 2 hours early for best spots. Campus location offers multiple lot options.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Saluki Stadium? Share it with us.

Discover More Stadiums

🏆
Missouri Valley
View all conference stadiums
→
📍
Illinois
View all state stadiums
→
🔍
Browse by Conference
Explore all conferences
→
🗺️
Browse by State
Explore all states
→

Stadium Rankings

Saluki Stadium ranks among the venues tracked on Fan Stamp as the 36th-newest.

✨
#36 Newest Stadium
View top 50 newest

Closest Stadiums to Saluki Stadium

→

Houck Stadium

Southeast Missouri Redhawks

Cape Girardeau, Missouri33 mi
→

Busch Stadium

St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis, MO82 mi
→

Roy Stewart Stadium

Murray State Racers

Murray, Kentucky90 mi
→

Hardy M. Graham Stadium

UT Martin Skyhawks

Martin, Tennessee96 mi
→

Harlen C. Hunter Stadium

Lindenwood Lions

St. Charles, Missouri102 mi
→

Fortera Stadium

Austin Peay Governors

Clarksville, Tennessee131 mi

Frequently Asked Questions About Saluki Stadium

What is the capacity of Saluki Stadium?
Saluki Stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000.
Where is Saluki Stadium located?
Saluki Stadium is located in Carbondale, Illinois.
What team plays at Saluki Stadium?
Saluki Stadium is the home stadium of Southern Illinois Salukis in the Missouri Valley.
When was Saluki Stadium built?
Saluki Stadium opened in 2010.
Where are the best seats at Saluki Stadium?
The 1,080 prime chairback seats offer premium comfort and excellent views. Mid-level seating on the horseshoe sides provides great sightlines of the entire field. The grass berm in the north end zone offers a unique, relaxed atmosphere at affordable prices perfect for families.
What are the best parking tips for Saluki Stadium?
Campus parking lots surround Saluki Stadium. Arrive 2 hours early for best availability. The stadium's location on campus makes it accessible from multiple directions. Follow parking attendant directions on game days.
What type of surface does Saluki Stadium have?
Saluki Stadium has a fieldturf (duraspine pro, 2019) playing surface.
What stadiums are near Saluki Stadium?
The closest stadiums to Saluki Stadium are Houck Stadium (33 mi), Busch Stadium (82 mi), Roy Stewart Stadium (90 mi), Hardy M. Graham Stadium (96 mi), Harlen C. Hunter Stadium (102 mi), Fortera Stadium (131 mi).

References

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