Skip to main content
Waldo Stadium - home of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, MI
NCAA FBS

Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan

👥
Capacity
36,361
🏆
Conference
MAC
📅
Opened
1939
🌱
Surface
FieldTurf

Quick Actions

🏈Track All NCAA FBS📍View on Map

📖About Waldo Stadium

Waldo Stadium has been the home of Western Michigan football since 1939, offering a sunken bowl design that creates an intimate and loud atmosphere. It is one of the most historic venues in the MAC, known for its unique location at the lowest point of the campus.

🏛️History

Origins

Opened in 1939 as part of a $250,000 project to provide a modern home for Bronco football. It was named for Dwight B. Waldo, the university's first president and a major supporter of the athletics program.

Major Renovations

1989Major expansion that increased the seating capacity to over 30,000
2003Construction of the Bill Brown Football Alumni Center and Seelye Athletic Center
2024$5M donation from the Stafford-Smith family for field naming rights and upgrades

Notable Moments

Oct 7, 1939First game played at Waldo Stadium: WMU 6, Miami (OH) 0
Sep 16, 2017Record attendance of 36,361 set during a game against Michigan State

🎟️Visitor Guide

Best Seats

The West grandstand provides the best view of the Seelye Center and the field. The end zone seating in the North end offers a great perspective of the Amtrak trains passing by.

Parking Tips

Gameday parking is available in numerous campus lots, with Lot 105 and 13 being popular for general fans. Tailgating is a huge tradition in the lots along Stadium Drive.

Game Day

Watch for the Amtrak train that runs right past the north end of the stadium — the engineer often honks the horn for the crowd. The "Bronco Walk" is a great way to welcome the team.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

Waldo's Campus Tavern

$

An iconic WMU hangout located right across from the stadium, legendary for its atmosphere and Bronco fans.

📍 0.2 miles1608 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006

💡 A must-visit for any Bronco fan. It gets extremely crowded on gamedays, so get there early to secure a spot.

Old Dog Tavern

$$

A unique and creative space with a great patio, local beers, and live music.

📍 1.2 miles402 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

💡 Located in a historic building, it's a great spot for a more relaxed gameday experience downtown.

🍽️Restaurants

Sweetwater's Donut Mill

$

Award-winning donuts that are a Kalamazoo staple. Perfect for a pre-game treat or a post-game pick-me-up.

📍 4.5 miles2132 Sprinkle Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

💡 Their donuts are consistently rated as some of the best in the country. Try the 'Boston Cream' or any of their seasonal specials.

Bell's Eccentric Cafe

$$

The home of Bell's Brewery, offering a fantastic selection of craft beers and elevated pub food.

📍 1.1 miles355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

💡 The outdoor bean garden is a great place to hang out before heading to the game. Try the Two Hearted Ale.

🏨Hotels

Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center

$$$

A premier downtown hotel with multiple restaurants and easy access to all that Kalamazoo has to offer.

📍 1.0 miles100 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

💡 The most luxurious option in town. It's walkable to many downtown bars and restaurants and a short drive to the stadium.

🎭Attractions

Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Free

A family-friendly museum featuring local history, science, and technology exhibits, as well as a planetarium.

📍 1.1 miles230 N Rose St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

💡 Admission is free, making it a great budget-friendly activity for families before or after the game.

🅿️Parking Options

🅿️

Lot 105 (Stadium Drive)

$15-$20
Lot📍 0.2 miles

💡 One of the most popular lots for general tailgating. It fills up fast, so arrive early.

🅿️

Lot 13 (Campus West)

$15
Lot📍 0.4 miles

💡 A good alternative if Lot 105 is full. Still provides a reasonable walk to the stadium.

Suggest a Tip

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

Discover More Stadiums

🏆
MAC
View all conference stadiums
→
📍
Michigan
View all state stadiums
→
🔍
Browse by Conference
Explore all conferences
→
🗺️
Browse by State
Explore all states
→
Learn more on Wikipedia→

🔥Rivals

→

Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium

Central Michigan

Battle for the Michigan MAC

Mount Pleasant, MI

→

Rynearson Stadium

Eastern Michigan

Battle for the Michigan MAC

Ypsilanti, MI

Stadiums Near Waldo Stadium

→

Notre Dame Stadium

Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN52 mi
→

Spartan Stadium

Michigan State

East Lansing, MI65 mi
→

Brown Field

Valparaiso Beacons

Valparaiso, Indiana94 mi
→

Michigan Stadium

Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI95 mi
→

Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium

Central Michigan

Mount Pleasant, MI99 mi
→

Rynearson Stadium

Eastern Michigan

Ypsilanti, MI100 mi

References

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