Independence Stadium (United States)

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name=Independence Stadium
location=Shreveport, Louisiana
opened=Unknown
surface= Turf
owner= City of Shreveport
tenants= Independence Bowl (NCAA Div-I FBS)
LHSAA (Shreveport/Bossier City high schools)
seating_capacity=53,000

Independence Stadium is a stadium owned by the City of Shreveport and is the home of the Independence Bowl.

Formerly known as State Fair Stadium, it is the site of the annual Independence Bowl post-season college football game, initially (1976) the "Bicentennial Bowl". Before this, it was the home venue of the Shreveport Steamer of the short-lived World Football League (1974-75).

The stadium is also host to numerous high school football games and soccer matches, since many schools in Shreveport lack an on-campus facility. Independence Stadium hosted the LHSAA state football championships in 2005 after the Louisiana Superdome suffered damage from Hurricane Katrina.

In 1994-5, Independence Stadium was home to the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League, which was undergoing US expansion at the time. The team ultimately failed due to low attendance.

In the late 1990s, the stadium capacity was expanded from approximately 40,000 to 50,832. [http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/united_states/louisiana.shtml] This was part of a grander upgrade plan that improved all aspects of the facility, from concourses to playing surface.

Independence Stadium was considered as a possible playing site for the New Orleans Saints in the 2005-2006 National Football League season due to Hurricane Katrina, but Shreveport eventually lost out to the San Antonio Alamodome in San Antonio and Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. However, Independence Stadium was eventually chosen to host the first preseason home game for the Saints for the 2006-2007 season while the Louisiana Superdome prepared for its grand reopening. Middle school football teams occasionally play at the Independence Stadium such as the Caddo Middle Magnet School football team.

The south end zone of the stadium borders Interstate 20.

ee also

*List of Canadian Football League stadiums

External links

* [http://www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/spar/CityFacilities/Independencestadium.htm Independence Stadium]
* [http://www.independencebowl.org Independence Bowl]