Stanford University announced on Mar. 23 that its football team will hold an open spring practice at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco on April 11, marking the program’s first return to the historic venue since 2012. The event is free and open to the public, with gates opening at 1:30 p.m., practice running from 2-4 p.m., and an autograph session scheduled immediately afterward.
The decision to return highlights the longstanding connection between Stanford football and San Francisco, as well as Kezar Stadium’s historical significance for Bay Area sports fans. A family-friendly fan fest will accompany the event, featuring food trucks, inflatables, and games.
“We are excited to return to Kezar Stadium in San Francisco for a spring practice,” said Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck. “There is a rich history of Bay Area football at Kezar, and some of the early foundations of Stanford football would be incomplete without it. Bringing a spring practice back to San Francisco and back to Kezar Stadium is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our program.”
Parking options include limited paid parking in the adjacent Kezar Lot as well as nearby garages; street parking is available but strictly monitored for permits and time limits. Fans are encouraged by organizers to use public transportation such as MUNI, BART, Caltrain, or Golden Gate Ferry for convenience.
Stanford first played its Cardinal and White Spring Game at Kezar Stadium in April 2010 and held annual scrimmages there through 2012. The venue also hosted several significant games dating back nearly a century—including Stanford’s inaugural game there in October 1928—and played an important role during World War II when multiple home games were moved there due to wartime restrictions.
Reflecting on these ties, Tavita Pritchard, Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football at Stanford said: “First and foremost, there’s always been a connection between Stanford and The City…A lot of Stanford alums set up shop there, so we have a really strong connection there and it’s fun to highlight that and all the great history that’s been made in that stadium.” He added: “This gives us extra juice. Going there for the day, having some fun, having people out there supporting us…it gives us extra energy to our spring practice.”
