11 Rookie Stadiums Punching Way Above Their Weight Class in College Football

2. Protective Stadium – University of Alabama at Birmingham

When UAB moved into Protective Stadium, it didn’t just change addresses—it reinvented its football identity. This 47,000-seat gem sits in the heart of downtown Birmingham and represents a new era for the Blazers. The clean, open-air design is a major upgrade from historic but aging Legion Field, offering both comfort and spectacle for fans. Modern amenities like expansive video boards, premium seating, and social gathering areas make game days feel like citywide events. More than that, the stadium has become a symbol of resurgence. UAB’s football program was once shut down entirely in 2014, only to be revived by passionate community support. Now, the team thrives in a stadium that mirrors that comeback story—fresh, fierce, and future-focused. It’s helped UAB attract recruits, engage alumni, and raise its national profile. Protective Stadium doesn’t just protect a team—it uplifts a program ready to make waves on the national stage. Opened: 2021