FirstBank Stadium in Nashville: Home of Vanderbilt Commodores

History & Key Facts

FirstBank Stadium, often credited as the first college-football-only stadium built in the South, is a historic venue in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is located at 2601 Jess Neely Drive on the Vanderbilt University campus. Formerly known as Dudley Field (1922–1981) and Vanderbilt Stadium (1981–2022), the stadium first opened on October 14, 1922, and today serves as the home field of Vanderbilt University's NCAA football team, the Commodores. When it first opened in 1922 as Dudley Field, the stadium had a seating capacity of 20,000. Today, the stadium’s capacity is around 35,000 (2025). 

Use and Events

FirstBank Stadium has served as the home of the Vanderbilt Commodores since the 1922 opening. It is primarily used for college football, but over the years, it has also hosted concerts and other major events. On May 18, 1963, when it was still known as Dudley Field, it hosted President John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. More than 30,000 people gathered to hear him speak at Dudley Field. Many famous artists and bands have performed at FirstBank Stadium, such as Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, U2, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z.

Location

FirstBank Stadium is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Nashville, next to Vanderbilt’s Charles Hawkins Field. The stadium is surrounded by several notable attractions, including the popular Centennial Park. It is only 2 miles from Downtown Nashville and is accessible via U.S. Route 70S.