Hanson Field

This is not an enclosed bowl for football alone; it is a campus oval designed for multiple events. The weather sets the tone for any match held here.

Western Illinois University has used this facility since the beginning of 1950. It has hosted everything from college football games to professional drum and bugle corps training. The current artificial turf does not reflect the original design, which featured natural grass. The surface was changed in 2011, but the layout of the track remains unchanged. The capacity sits at 16,368, though some records suggest it might reach slightly higher on busy days.

A notable moment in the stadium’s history occurred on October 20, 1973, when the attendance reached 19,850 for a game against Central Michigan. The east side of the stadium received a significant overhaul before the 2007 season. New bleachers and facilities were added to that section, funded by student fees.