Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium

QUICK FACTS
Physical Location: 400 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
Opened: 1925
Capacity: 20,000
Surface: Artificial Turf
Largest Crowd: 33,000 (11/24/1932 vs. Colgate)
Former Names: Brown Amphitheatre, Brown Field, Brown Stadium
Brown Football Record (thru 2024): 270-223-13 (.546)

OVERVIEW
For 100 years, Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium has served as the home for Brown University Football on the east side of Providence. Opened on September 26, 1925, the stadium has a current capacity of 20,000, making it the largest stadium in the state of Rhode Island.

The Brown track and field programs also call the stadium home. The six-lane track was most recently resurfaced in 2024.

HISTORY
Constructed under the working name Brown Amphitheatre, the new stadium was the centerpiece of a brand-new athletic complex. Original designs called for a capacity of 32,000 in two mirror-image stands, but modifications resulted in a capacity of 27,646 upon its opening, including more than 7,000 in temporary wooden bleachers on the ends. Construction was funded entirely by subscription, raised by the Amphitheatre Committee led by Clinton C. White, Class of 1900. Over $500,000 was raised by the start of construction, but the final cost of the stadium was only $350,000.

Brown played a 10-game home schedule in 1925 with the stadium opening on September 26, 1925, with a 33-0 victory over Rhode Island. No special ceremonies marked the first game at the new stadium. Two separate dedication days were later held, the first on October 24 against Yale, and a second on November 14 against Harvard, the latter of which served as the official naming of the facility as “Brown Field”.

On Thanksgiving morning, 1932, Brown brought in portable bleachers for its game against Colgate that saw an estimated crowd of 33,000, the largest in the stadium’s history. This is still believed to be the largest crowd ever to witness a sporting event in the state of Rhode Island.

Although never officially being renamed, Brown Field began to be referred to as “Brown Stadium” in the 1970s, and the name gradually became accepted the facility’s permanent name.

New aluminum bleachers were installed ahead of the 1978 season, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Brown football. In 1988, the stadium underwent a complete renovation, with work being done to restore and waterproof the concrete, as well as repaint the restrooms, press box and all the graphics throughout the stadium. A new home locker room, along with a reception room, were competed for the 1991 season.

The stadium played host to its first ever night game on September 25, 2010, when the Bears took on Harvard under temporarily installed lights. Brown defeated the Crimson 29-14 in front of 17,360 fans.

The stadium underwent another major facelift in 2021 with the addition of artificial turf, replacing the natural grass surface. At the season-opener against Rhode Island on September 18, 2021, the stadium was officially rededicated and renamed Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium in honor of Richard Gouse ’68, P’02, the project’s lead donor.

PRIOR TO THE STADIUM
The stadium is the fourth home field for Brown football, serving as a successor to Adelaide Park and Lincoln Field (both early 1890s-1898), and Andrews Field (1899-1924).

PARKING
Parking is available in Lot 88 off Elmgrove Avenue, adjacent to the stadium. There is a parking fee on football gamedays and passes can be purchased in advance at BrownBears.com/tickets. Free street parking is also available on the streets surrounding the stadium.

LOCATION MAP