It’s hard to believe, but Levi’s Stadium, home of the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, turned 10 in July. We might think we know everything there is to know about the Santa Clara stadium, but just like Brock Purdy’s unexpected rise from Mr. Irrelevant to the MVP-caliber QB known to fans as Glock Purdy, Levi’s still has some surprises — and some of them are free.
Wear the gold, skip the red
Heavy coats were often game day attire at Candlestick, but those chilly Bay winds don’t reach Levi’s, and depending on the start time, it can get very sunny indeed. No need to go home roasted. You’ll find free sunscreen at nine stations throughout the stadium.
Valet, please
Bay Area traffic can get a bit snarly, and the roads around Levi’s are no exception. Some fans avoid the crush by biking to the game, but as you can’t take your bike to your seat, the stadium offers free bicycle valet service. (There are bike lockers available, too.)
Tay-Tay gets her way-way
Although Taylor Swift might have questionable taste in football teams, there’s no doubt that the mega star pretty much gets what she wants. As a reminder that it’s Taylor’s world, and we just live here, Levi’s lifted its ban on friendship bracelets when the singer brought her Eras tour to the Bay Area. (Still banned at football games, though: confetti, fireworks, projectiles and … silverware.)
Quiet, please
Crowd noise is great for spurring the Niners to victory and making it hard for the opposing quarterback to call out signals. But klaxons, bullhorns, whistles and other noisemakers are on the taboo list. That said, the stadium crew blasts a foghorn before the start of every game, to mark the second half and to celebrate every Niners touchdown.
You have the right to remain silent
No misbehaving! Levi’s has its own jail. OK, technically it’s a holding facility – one of two operated by the Santa Clara Police Department (the other temporary holding facility is at department headquarters). Officers use the facility to process and temporarily house individuals who have been arrested during games and events. (If you were thinking this might be a good way to enjoy a free game or concert, it’s so not.)
Car trouble?
The stadium also has tow trucks on site, so if you get a flat in the parking lot or your battery goes dead, don’t despair.
Start ‘em young
If this is your child’s first Niners game, your kiddo can pick up a “My First 49ers Game” certificate at the Dignity Health Plaza, Gate C. Certificates are available through halftime every game day.
There’s an app for that
Of course a Silicon Valley stadium would be high tech. Whether you need help finding your seat (1,700 high tech beacons are ready to guide you), feeling peckish in the third quarter (you can have food and drink delivered to your seat) or looking for the shortest lines to the loo, there’s a stadium app to help.
Did someone say food?
Levi’s has more than 80 places to get food and drinks during the game, from burgers and pizza to lumpia and crab sandwiches. But you just can’t beat a good hotdog, which is the crowd favorite. More than 50,000 hotdogs are consumed each game day.
Receptions, off the field
There’s also 400 miles of data cable and 70 miles of Wi-Fi support cable running through the building. So if you’re avoiding the boss’ calls and ignoring texts, don’t say it was because you didn’t have a signal.
Where’s the love?
Although long-time fans still shed a tear or two for the demise of Candlestick, Niners fans have embraced Levi’s over the years. The rest of the football world has not been as enamored. In the New York Times’ annual rankings of the 30 NFL stadiums, Levi’s consistently is ranked No. 12.
Pass the grass
When Levi’s opened a decade ago, it had a grass problem. The natural turf wasn’t holding up and complaints of soggy spots, divots and trip-prone areas were heard repeatedly. The field conditions were almost as bad as the practice field the 49ers were forced to navigate at the Super Bowl. It took a couple of years to get things right, but now the all-natural grass field is planted with Tifway II Bermuda grass.
Who beat the wrestlers?
For eight years, WrestleMania held the Levi’s attendance record, attracting 76,796 fans in 2015. That record was shattered in 2023 when 80,000 people showed up to hear Ed Sheeran on his +–=÷× tour. Who said math was hard?
Gridiron heroes
Want to gaze upon Niners history? There’s a Levi’s 49ers Museum at the stadium, where you can see a replica of Coach Bill Walsh’s office, gaze upon Dwight Clark’s furry coat and see a life-size model of Clark’s gravity-defying “The Catch.” The Niner’s five Super Bowl Lombardi trophies also are on display, with room for many more.
