When Breese Stevens Field was built in 1926 as a baseball stadium, it would have been hard to envision what the stadium on East Washington Avenue would become a century later.
In addition to being the home of two soccer teams and an Ultimate Frisbee team, Breese has become an outdoor multi-use facility, hosting festivals like Curd Fest and Distill America and, most significantly, becoming the city’s largest outdoor concert venue for touring musical acts like Brandi Carlile, Alabama Shakes, and Train this summer.
As Breese Stevens enters its second century, its owners have big changes in mind, especially to increase the number of concerts and events. But some neighbors of the field aren’t happy about it. Here’s a look at the past, present, and future of Breese Stevens Field.
⚾ There’s the Pitch
Built on a block of land formerly owned by the widow of the late Madison mayor Breese J. Stevens, the field officially opened on May 5, 1926. Gov. John Blaine threw out the first pitch to Mayor A.G. Schmedemann.
In 1934, the field’s iconic stone walls were built by the federal Civil Works Administration, and lighting towers were installed as well. The field was mainly used for high school games and minor league baseball until 1982, when it was converted into a soccer facility. The complex was designated a Madison landmark and joined the National Registry of Historic Places in 1995. [City of Madison]
⚽ Playing the Field
Breese Stevens became home to Madison’s new Ultimate frisbee team, the Madison Radicals, in 2013. The Forward Madison FC soccer team played its first game in 2019, and Madison’s first USL W pre–professional soccer team, Rally Madison, kicked off this year. Big Top Events, which also owns the Madison Mallards, owns both soccer teams and operates Breese Stevens Field.
FPC Live began booking concerts at Breese in 2015, with the Avett Brothers playing the inaugural show there. Since then, 50 acts have played the stadium, including Phoebe Bridgers, Willie Nelson, Bon Iver, and Wilco. [Madison Radicals, Forward Madison, Rally Madison, Big Top Events, Breese Stevens Field]
🎸 The Next 100 Years
Last week, Big Top Events and city officials presented an ambitious $8 million renovation plan for Breese Stevens Field, much of which would make it more attractive and easy to use as a concert facility.
- A new permanent concert stage, whereas now a temporary stage has to be assembled for each concert. On game nights the stage area could be used as seating.
- An artists’ “green room” area and other concert support facilities.
- A new concession area and permanent locker room.
- Changes to the east end of the stadium for buses to park so they wouldn’t block Mifflin Street
- Stormwater management upgrades
By 2030, the improvements would allow Breese to host 20 concerts per year, rather than the four or five per summer that take place there now. [City of Madison, Cap Times]
🔊 Some Neighbors Aren’t Big Fans
On concert nights, residents living in nearby high-rise apartments can be seen hanging out on their balconies and roofs enjoying the music. But other Breese Stevens neighbors aren’t so thrilled, and are worried about increased activity at the stadium.
While all events at Breese Stevens would continue the 10 p.m. curfew established by the city, some residents complained at the city presentation about noise levels from concerts. Others complained that along with the increased activity would come more traffic and more parking hassles on the streets surrounding the stadium. A few expressed concerns that the changes would primarily benefit Big Top Events, not the neighborhood or the city.
Big Top Events plans to formally present their plans for approval by the Madison City Council this fall, with construction set to start next year. [Cap Times]
