Beirne Stadium

Beirne Stadium

Former names	Bulldog Stadium (1999–2016)
Location	Smithfield, Rhode Island
Coordinates	41°55′27.44″N 71°32′18.87″W
Owner	Bryant University
Operator	Bryant University
Capacity	4,400
Surface	Grass
Construction
Broke ground	1998
Opened	September 1998
Tenants
Bryant Bulldogs (NCAA) (1999–present) Rhode Island FC (USLC) (2024)

Beirne Stadium is a stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island. It is the home stadium for the Bryant University college football and men's and women's lacrosse programs. Beirne Stadium will also host USL Championship club Rhode Island FC during their inaugural 2024 season. The stadium holds 4,400 people and was built in 1999. It was renamed from Bulldog Stadium on September 24, 2016. It has also hosted numerous events for Rhode Island High School State Championships.

The centerpiece of Bryant University's athletic facilities, Beirne Stadium opened in 1999 as Bulldog Stadium to coincide with the varsity debut of Bryant football. On September 24, 2016, it was renamed as part of the David M. '85 and Terry Beirne Stadium Complex.

The facility received upgrades for the 2018 season that include a new FieldTurf playing surface and permanent lighting banks, making Beirne Stadium the first of the three Football Championship Subdivision stadiums in Rhode Island with permanent lights. The Bryant men's and women's lacrosse programs moved full-time from the Bryant Track & Turf Complex to Beirne Stadium for the 2019 season.

With a seating capacity of 4,400, Beirne Stadium utilizes a design that is usually reserved for larger stadiums, ensuring excellent sight lines and maximum comfort for spectators. A 3,200-seat permanent bleacher comprises the backdrop for the home side of the field, while 1,200 additional seats are available on the visitor's side. Three hundred seats in the stadium are equipped with backs and arm rests. The stadium also has its own athletic training center, office space and public rest rooms.

In 2007, the Bulldogs hosted their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship versus West Chester. In the 2008-2009 school year Bryant University Athletics became a Division I sports program. They belong to the America East for most sports, as well as the Big South for football, and Southland Conference for golf and tennis as of the 2022-23 school year.

In 2024, Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship will play their inaugural season at Beirne Stadium while completing construction of their stadium at Tidewater Landing. On December 14th, 2023, RIFC announced that they had added an additional 250 seats to the East Side Field Seats and the West Bleachers, bringing the total match-day capacity to 5,252, with an additional statement that that club had season ticket members representing all 39 of Rhode Island’s counties and towns.

Attendance records

Rank	Attendance	Date	Game Result
1	8,364	October 17, 2015	Bryant 38, Duquesne 17
2	7,532	September 23, 2017	Bryant 45, Fordham 40
3	6,432	September 2, 2017	Bryant 49, Merrimack 41
4	5,908	October 24, 2015	Bryant 26, Saint Francis 24
5	5,630	October 18, 2008	Bryant 20, Robert Morris 7
6	5,530	September 13, 2008	Bryant 20, Merrimack 7
7	5,434	October 13, 2007	25 Bryant 34, Stonehill 6
8	5,234	November 18, 2006	25 Bryant 29, 25 West Chester
9	5,113	September 4, 2010	Bryant 44, Fordham 30
10	5,104	November 1, 2008	Bryant 24, Duquesne 10
11	4,969	September 1, 2018	Bryant 41, New Haven 31
12	4,890	October 25, 2014	Bryant 42, Robert Morris 9
13	4,854	September 16, 2006	Bryant 34, Merrimack 7
14	4,823	September 23, 2000	Bryant 49, Assumption 13
15	4,820	September 24, 2005	Bryant 20, Pace 19
16	4,817	August 31, 2013	Bryant 17, Holy Cross 16
17	4,817	October 2, 1999	Bryant 31, Mount Ida 20
18	4,748	November 10, 2007	Bryant 29, Bentley 3
19	4,622	October 20, 2001	Bryant 31, UMass Lowell 16
20	4,587	October 15, 2011	Bryant 35, Monmouth 40

See also

• List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums

External links

• Official website