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Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

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Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field is a stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. It is primarily used for football and soccer, and is the home field of the University of Connecticut Huskies (UConn). In 2010, it was home to the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. The stadium, which opened in 2003, was the first stadium used primarily by an NCAA FBS (formerly Division I-A) team to open in the 21st century. Prior to its opening, Connecticut had played on-campus at Memorial Stadium in Storrs from 1953 to 2002.

Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Rentschler Field, The Rent
The stadium during a football game
Pratt & Whitney Stadium is located in Connecticut
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Location in Connecticut
Pratt & Whitney Stadium is located in the United States
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Location in the United States
Former namesRentschler Field (2003–2015)
Location615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118
Coordinates41°45′35″N 72°37′8″W / 41.75972°N 72.61889°W / 41.75972; -72.61889
Public transitBus transport 120, 121
OwnerState of Connecticut
OperatorSpectra[1]
Capacity36,000 (standing room to 38,000, expandable to at least 41,000)
Record attendance42,704 (Sept. 2013)
SurfaceKentucky Bluegrass
Construction
Broke groundOctober 21, 2000[2]
OpenedAugust 30, 2003; 21 years ago (August 30, 2003)
Construction cost$91.2 million
($151 million in 2023 dollars[3])
ArchitectEllerbe Becket
Structural engineerBVH Integrated Services[4]
Services engineerDiversified Technology Consultants[5]
General contractorHunt-Gilbane Joint Venture[6]
Tenants
UConn Huskies (NCAA) (2003–present)
Hartford Colonials (UFL) (2010)
Hartford Athletic (USLC) (2019)
Toronto FC (MLS) (2020)
Website
rentschlerfield.com

Rentschler Field was originally the name of the company airfield for Pratt & Whitney that formerly occupied the site. The airfield, which began operations in 1931, was named after Frederick Rentschler, who founded Pratt & Whitney in 1925 and also founded its parent company, United Technologies. It was originally used for test flights and maintenance operations, and later for corporate aviation. The 75-acre (30 ha) site was decommissioned as an airport in the 1990s, and donated to the state of Connecticut by United Technologies in 1999. A subsequent 65-acre donation by United Technologies in 2009 allowed for the construction of additional grass parking lots adjacent to the Stadium.

Pursuant to a lease agreement with the State, UConn plays all its home football games at Rentschler Field.

History

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The New England Patriots considered moving to Connecticut and sharing a stadium with the UConn football team in the mid-1990s. The new stadium was supposed to be built on the Connecticut Convention Center site in downtown Hartford. However, when the Patriots completed the deal for Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, the Hartford stadium plan was scaled down and the location was moved to East Hartford. The current capacity of 40,000 can expand to 50,000 with limited rehabilitation and has the layout and design for expansion of up to 60,000 seats in the future.[7]

The stadium is owned by the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, while operations are overseen by the quasi-public Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). Global Spectrum, L.P. has managed the building on behalf of CRDA since 2013. Previously, the Stadium was managed by Bushnell Management Services (2011–2013), Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)(2007–2011) and Madison Square Garden L.P. (2003–2007).

Prior to the 2013 season, a new 28×73-foot wide and 15HD pixel video display was installed replacing the stadium's original scoreboard.[8]

On July 16, 2015, it was announced that the stadium had been named Pratt & Whitney Stadium in a deal between Pratt & Whitney and UConn. The playing surface is still named Rentschler Field.[9] In return, Pratt and Whitney donated additional land that will be used for game day parking.

Connecticut Huskies

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The UConn Huskies football team has an all time 74–60 record at Rentschler Field.

 
Aerial view during a game in 2006
 
Rentschler Field during the North Carolina at UConn football game, 2009
Year Record
2003 5–1
2004 6–1
2005 4–2
2006 3–4
2007 7–0
2008 4–2
2009 4–2
2010 6–0
2011 4–3
2012 3–3
2013 2–5
2014 2–5
2015 4–2
2016 3–4
2017 2–4
2018 1–5
2019 1–5
2021 1–5
2022 5–1
2023 1–5
2024 6–1

Sellouts

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Date Opponent Result Seats
September 13, 2003 Boston College L 14–24 40,000
November 8, 2003 Rutgers W 38–31 40,000
September 11, 2004 Duke W 22–20 40,000
September 25, 2004 Army W 40–3 40,000
September 30, 2004 Pittsburgh W 29–17 40,000
October 13, 2004 #17 West Virginia L 19–31 40,000
October 23, 2004 Temple W 45–31 40,000
November 20, 2004 Buffalo W 29–0 40,000
September 1, 2005 Buffalo W 38–0 40,000
September 10, 2005 Liberty W 59–0 40,000
October 7, 2005 Syracuse W 26–7 40,000
October 22, 2005 Rutgers L 24–26 40,000
November 26, 2005 South Florida W 15–10 40,000
December 3, 2005 #16 Louisville L 20–30 40,000
September 16, 2006 Wake Forest L 13–24 40,000
September 30, 2006 Navy L 17–41 40,000
October 20, 2006 #4 West Virginia L 11–37 40,000
November 11, 2006 Pittsburgh W 46–453OT 40,000
October 19, 2007 Louisville W 21–17 40,000
October 27, 2007 #11 South Florida W 22–15 40,000
November 3, 2007 Rutgers W 38–19 40,000
November 17, 2007 Syracuse W 30–7 40,000
September 13, 2008 Virginia W 45–10 40,000
October 25, 2008 Cincinnati W 40–16 40,000
November 1, 2008 West Virginia L 35–13 40,000
October 17, 2009 Louisville W 38–25 40,000
November 28, 2009 Syracuse W 56–31 40,000
October 2, 2010 Vanderbilt W 40–21 40,000
October 29, 2010 West Virginia W 16–13OT 40,000
November 27, 2010 Cincinnati W 38–17 40,000
September 21, 2013 #15 Michigan L 24–21 42,704

[10]

Soccer

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Hartford Athletic

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On March 11, 2019, it was announced that the renovations at Dillon Stadium would not be completed on time for Hartford Athletic's home opener on May 4 against Charlotte Independence.[11] Hartford Athletic played seven games at Pratt & Whitney Stadium.

Date Opponent Score Attendance
May 4, 2019   Charlotte Independence
1–1
 11,346
May 10, 2019   Memphis 901
1–2
 5,045
May 25, 2019   Ottawa Fury
1–1
 5,346
June 1, 2019   North Carolina
1–1
 5,003
June 8, 2019   Saint Louis
2–1
 5,132
June 16, 2019   Nashville
2–3
 4,489
June 29, 2019   Bethlehem Steel
0–3
 5,012

Major League Soccer

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On September 23, 2017, New York City FC played a home match at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, against the Houston Dynamo, in the stadium's first Major League Soccer game. The game was relocated from Yankee Stadium in New York City due to a schedule conflict with the New York Yankees.[12]

On September 11, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont announced that Toronto FC would finish their season's home matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

Date Teams Score Opponent Competition Attendance
September 23, 2017 New York City  
1–1
   Houston Dynamo MLS 10,165
September 27, 2020 Toronto  
3–1
   Columbus Crew MLS Trillium Cup –
October 3, 2020 Toronto  
2–1
   Philadelphia Union MLS –
October 14, 2020 Toronto  
1–1
   New York Red Bulls MLS –
October 18, 2020 Toronto  
1–0
   Atlanta United MLS –
October 28, 2020 Toronto  
0–1
   New York City MLS –
November 1, 2020 Toronto  
2–1
   Inter Miami MLS 1,394
November 24, 2020 Toronto  
0–1
   Nashville MLS Cup Playoff –

United States men's national soccer team

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Rentschler Field has hosted several United States men's national soccer team's home games, including Landon Donovan's last game for the National Team on October 10, 2014.[14]

Date Opponent Score Competition Attendance
August 17, 2005   Trinidad and Tobago
1–0
 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
CONCACAF fourth round		 25,488
May 30, 2006   Latvia
1–0
 Friendly 22,455
May 25, 2010   Czech Republic
2–4
 Friendly 36,000
July 16, 2013   Costa Rica
1–0
 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup 25,432
October 10, 2014   Ecuador
1–1
 Friendly 36,265
July 1, 2017   Ghana
2–1
 Friendly 28,754
October 16, 2018   Peru
1–1
 Friendly 24,959
October 14, 2023   Germany
1–3
 Friendly 37,743

United States women's national soccer team

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Rentschler Field has also hosted several United States women's national soccer team's home games.

Date Opponent Score Competition Attendance
August 1, 2004   China
3–1
 Friendly 15,093
July 14, 2007   Norway
1–0
 Friendly 9,957
July 17, 2010   Sweden
3–0
 Friendly 5,570
October 23, 2012   Germany
2–2
 Friendly 18,870
June 19, 2014   France
2–2
 Friendly 14,695
April 6, 2016   Colombia
7–0
 Friendly 21,792
July 29, 2018   Australia
1–1
 2018 Tournament of Nations 21,570
July 1, 2021   Mexico
4–0
 Friendly 21,637
July 5, 2021   Mexico
4–0
 Friendly 27,758

Other soccer matches

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Japan v Brazil women's soccer match, 2018
Date Winner Score Opponent Competition Attendance
July 27, 2004 Liverpool  
5–1
   Celtic Champions World Soccer Series Two 2004 24,271
July 16, 2013 Cuba  
4–0
   Belize 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup 25,432
July 29, 2018 Brazil  
2–1
   Japan 2018 Tournament of Nations 13,027
March 8, 2022 New York City  
3–1
   Comunicaciones 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[15] 15,642
June 18, 2023 Venezuela  
1–0
   Guatemala International Friendly 8,568
June 15, 2024 Colombia  
3-0
   Bolivia International Friendly
June 16, 2024 Ecuador  
2-1
   Honduras International Friendly 15,000

Hartford Colonials

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The Hartford Colonials were a United Football League team that played their home games at Rentschler Field. During their (2010 UFL season), the Colonials played all four home games at Rentschler, after having played one there the previous season while they were known as the New York Sentinels. Attendance at Colonials games averaged a consistent 15,000 people, third place in the five-team league behind Omaha and Sacramento. The UFL suspended the Colonials franchise in 2011 and the franchise was officially terminated when the team's former owner (Bill Mayer) was named as the new owner of the Virginia Destroyers.[16]

Date Opponent Result Score Attendance
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Florida Tuskers L 6–24 5,201
Saturday, September 18, 2010 Sacramento Mountain Lions W 27–10 14,384
Saturday, October 9, 2010 Florida Tuskers L 20–33 14,468
Saturday, October 16, 2010 Omaha Nighthawks L 14–19 14,056
Saturday, November 20, 2010 Las Vegas Locomotives W 27–14 14,554

Lacrosse

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On May 19, 2019, Rentschler Field hosted the Quarterfinals for the 2019 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.[17] In 2021 and 2022, Rentschler Field will host the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship for Divisions I, II, and III.

Date Tournament Result Spectators
April 24, 2010 2010 ESPNU Warrior Classic Denver 9–8 Fairfield 6,415
Georgetown 12–13 UMass
May 19, 2019 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Quarterfinals Penn State 21–14 Loyola 8,568
Yale 19–18 (OT) Penn
May 29, 2021 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Semifinals North Carolina 11–12 Virginia 13,707
Maryland 14–5 Duke
May 30, 2021 2021 NCAA Division III Men's Finals RIT 15–14 (2OT) Salisbury 5,815
2021 NCAA Division II Men's Finals Le Moyne 12–6 Lenoir–Rhyne
May 31, 2021 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Finals Virginia 17–16 Maryland 14,816
May 28, 2022 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Semifinals Cornell 17–10 Rutgers 21,688
Maryland 13–8 Princeton
May 29, 2022 2022 NCAA Division III Men's Finals Union 10–12 RIT 14,650
2022 NCAA Division II Men's Finals Mercy 7–11 Tampa
May 30, 2022 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Finals Maryland 9–7 Cornell 22,184

Rugby union

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On June 4, 2005, Rentschler Field hosted two rugby union matches; Wales vs USA Rugby and the 2005 U.S. Rugby Super League Championship game, between New York Athletic Club Rugby Football Club and Belmont Shore RFC in front of 8,027. Wales would defeat the US 77–3 and NYAC would defeat Belmont Shore 23–19. In 2008 Rentschler Field hosted a match between Irish provincial side Munster and the USA Eagles, with Munster winning 46–22.[18]

Date Winner Score Opponent League Competition Attendance
June 4, 2005 Wales   77–3   United States IRB Friendly 8,027[19]
NYAC   23–19   Belmont Shore USRSL Championship
August 31, 2008 Munster   46–22   United States IRB 2008 Setanta Challenge Cup 8,350[18]

Whalers Hockey Fest

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On August 24, 2010, a fan event, called Whalers Fan Fest, occurred, featuring many of the former players, draws were close to 5,000 people on a Saturday afternoon.

From February 11 to the 20th, 2011, the stadium hosted the Whalers Hockey Fest 2011. A hockey rink was constructed on the field much like is done for the annual NHL Winter Classic. Events included a Hartford Whalers Alumni vs. Boston Bruins Alumni game, with an appearance from the Hanson Brothers, from the film Slap Shot, a double-header featuring both UConn men's and women's hockey teams, a Hockey Legends team faced off against the Mystery, Alaska Hollywood team, along with the Hanson Brothers from the movie Slap Shot,[20] and the second edition of the American Hockey League Outdoor Classic between the host Connecticut Whale and the Providence Bruins. Over 15,000 fans came out to watch the so-called "Whale Bowl", while over 1,700 attended the UConn men's game.

 
"Whale Bowl" at Rentschler Field, 19 Feb 2011
Date League Away Team Home Team Score Attendance
February 13, 2011 Atlantic Hockey Sacred Heart Pioneers (M) UConn Huskies (M) 3–1 1,911
Hockey East Providence Friars (W) UConn Huskies (W) 4–3 153
February 15, 2011 NESCAC Wesleyan Cardinals (W) Trinity Bantams (W) 5–1 100
NESCAC Wesleyan Cardinals (M) Trinity Bantams (M) 3–1 820
February 19, 2011 Atlantic Hockey Army Black Knights (M) AIC Yellow Jackets (M) 4–1 1,142
NHL Alumni Boston Bruins Alumni Hartford Whalers Alumni 4–4 10,000
AHL Providence Bruins Connecticut Whale 5–4 (SO) 21,673

Concerts

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Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Gross Notes
September 16, 2003 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band The Rising Tour 51,569 $3,788,325 [21]
September 18, 2003 66,000 [22]
August 26, 2005 The Rolling Stones Maroon 5 A Bigger Bang Tour [23]
July 31, 2007 The Police Fiction Plane The Police Reunion Tour 32,450 $3,318,015 [24]
September 15, 2018 A Will Away UConn Fan Fest [25]
May 28, 2022 Kenny Mehler [26]
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  •  
    Football & basketball facilities, 2008
  •  
    Grandstands and boxes, 2008
  •  
    Scoreboard in 2010
  •  
    End zone view, 2011
  •  
    Luxury box, 2011
  •  
    Jasper Howard monument

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Doyle, Paul (July 17, 2013). "Global Spectrum Pleased With Its First Event At Rentschler". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  2. ^ "Ground Broken on UConn Stadium". Record-Journal. Meriden, CT. Associated Press. October 21, 2000. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rentschler Field Division I Football Stadium". BVH Integrated Services. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  5. ^ "Rentschler Stadium". Diversified Technology Consultants. Archived from the original on September 5, 2004. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  6. ^ Sedlak, Melissa (September 1, 2003). "Sales Records Fall at UConn Stadium". SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  7. ^ [1] |Blakeslee Building Solutions
  8. ^ "Scoreboard Unveiled at Rentschler Field". NBC 30. August 28, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  9. ^ Rent Being Renamed Pratt & Whitney Stadium At Rentschler Field
  10. ^ 2015 UConn Football Media Guide (PDF). UConn Huskies. p. 121. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "Hartford Athletics to start home schedule at Rentschler Field due to ongoing renovations at Dillon Stadium". Hartford Courant. March 11, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "NYCFC's Home Game vs Houston Dynamo Relocated to Pratt & Whitney Stadium". New York City FC. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Governor Lamont Announces Toronto FC Reaches Agreement With State To Play Home Matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium". State of Connecticut. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  14. ^ Drehs, Wayne (December 22, 2014). "The Bitter End". ESPN The Magazine. Boone, Iowa: ESPN The Magazine.
  15. ^ "NYCFC announces date, time and venue for Scotiaband CONCACAF match". www.nycfc.com. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  16. ^ "Omaha And Sacramento To Host Opening Games Of Four-Team 2011 United Football League Season In September" (Press release). UFL Press. August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on September 12, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011. The UFL has suspended operations in Hartford, Connecticut, where the Hartford Colonials played the 2010 season at the city's Rentschler Field stadium. Colonials players will join the other four UFL teams through an allocation draft to be held on Monday, August 15, while head coach Jerry Glanville will assume a new role as a consultant to the league.
  17. ^ "NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals | Rentschler Field".
  18. ^ a b "Munster Retain The Setanta Cup". Munster Rugby. August 31, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "Wales tour in Canada/United States of America 2005 2005". espnscrum. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  20. ^ "Radcliffe to run in Berlin Marathon - AP News Wire, Associated Press News - Salon.com". Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  21. ^ "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Sept 16, 2003".
  22. ^ "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Sept 18, 2003".
  23. ^ "The Rolling Stones / Maroon 5 – Aug 26, 2005".
  24. ^ "The Police / Fiction Plane – Jul 31, 2007".
  25. ^ "UCONN Fan Fest – Sept 15, 2018".
  26. ^ "Kenny Mehler – May 28, 2022".
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