Veterans Stadium (Former Site) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

 stadium, historical layer / disappeared object

Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose open-air stadium in South Philadelphia. It was the home of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball (MLB) and Philadelphia Eagles football (NFL) teams from 1971-2003 and 1971-2002, respectively. Other teams calling the stadium home base included the Philadelphia Atoms soccer (1973-1975), Philadelphia Fury soccer (1978-1980), and Philadelphia Stars U.S. football (1983-1984) teams. Additionally, the Temple University football team used the stadium for home games, and numerous concerts were held in the 7-story edifice, as was the annual Army-Navy game. It opened its doors on April 10, 1971.

Numerous problems plagued "The Vet," as it was locally referred to, throughout its history. The AstroTurf and, after 2001, NexTurf playing surfaces often tore easily, while a railing collapse at an Army-Navy game injured 8 West Point cadets.

The stadium was also well-known for its fans, particulary those seated in "The 700 Level," reserved for general stadium admission and extremely high up into the atmosphere. Fans were known to have gotten into physical fights with each other and pelt onfield persons with everything from game day giveaway items to snowballs.

The last event held at the stadium was on September 28, 2003: the Philadelphia Phillies' final ballgame at the stadium. Following a public auction in the winter of 2003-2004, Veterans Stadium was demolished on March 21, 2004, becoming the first building in the South Philadelphia sports complex to be imploded.

The Philadelphia Eagles and annual Army-Navy game moved to Lincoln Financial Field while the Philadelphia Phillies moved to Citizen's Bank Park, whose property is adjacent to the former site.

A parking lot took Veterans Stadium's place, with placemarkers indicating where in the stadium the first, second, and third bases lay, as well as home base and the Philadelphia Eagles' goalposts.