Levi’s Stadium guide: What to know about the San Francisco 49ers’ home field (2024)

Editor’s note: This article is part of theStadium Guidesseries, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to San Francisco 49ers games at Levi’s Stadium here.

The San Francisco 49ers have been playing home games at Levi’s Stadium since 2014. The facility was built to replace Candlestick Park, which sat 39 miles up Highway 101 in San Francisco. That venerated building was known for championships but also for chilly, windy conditions and traffic jams.

Levi’s was designed to embrace the South Bay’s milder temperatures and abundant sunlight, including a lower bowl that seats 45,000 fans. The north side of the stadium includes a team store and the 49ers Museum. The franchise’s five Lombardi Trophies, as well as the rings given to players after each title, can be viewed in the museum. There’s also a representation of former head coach Bill Walsh’s office, complete with the desk he used at the 49ers’ former team headquarters in Redwood City, Calif.

On the northwest side, fans can see a statue depicting the most iconic play in team history — “The Catch.” One statue depicts quarterback Joe Montana celebrating his touchdown throw to receiver Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship Game. As was the case in the game, the likeness of Clark is 23 yards away and leaping to make the grab. The northeast side of the stadium features an oversized 49ers helmet that has become a popular spot for selfies.

Dwight Clark’s statue of The Catch has been unveiled pic.twitter.com/5S7AvB32yD

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 21, 2018

Whereas Candlestick Park, completed in 1960, lacked the creature comforts of modern venues, Levi’s abounds in them. The stadium has 8,500 club seats and 165 luxury suites, most of them in the so-called suite tower on the west side. A green roof that sits atop the suite tower has become a popular spot for events, including weddings and receptions. The club areas also are where fans can find many of the 200 original works of art in the stadium as well as hundreds of black and white photos — enlarged and printed on aluminum so they jump off the walls — depicting the former and current stars of the team.

The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience. We’ve also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium, among other things, to help football fans enjoy their visit.

Insider tips

2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Oct. 20

These two teams are the favorites to win the NFC and the AFC. Are they on a collision course to meet in the Super Bowl for the third time in six years? That’s a long time away, so thankfully we have a regular-season matchup between the two teams before then. Fun twist: Brock Purdy’s first NFL pass attempts came in a regular-season game against the Chiefs in 2022. Although he didn’t play poorly in last season’s Super Bowl against Kansas City, the 49ers will need him to take his game up another notch against Steve Spagnuolo’s defense with Patrick Mahomes on the other side. Whichever way this is sliced, it’s a compelling matchup between two NFL titans. The 49ers are desperate to get over the Kansas City hump, and this might be a chance for them to take the first step in doing so.

Fan traditions to know: Foghorn and ‘Lights’

Just before kickoff, you’ll hear three blasts of the foghorn located on the southwest side of the stadium. If you hear it again, it means the home team has just scored a touchdown. When the game ends, you’ll hear “Lights” from the San Francisco band Journey. That has been the postgame tune since the Candlestick Park days, and the fans usually sing along — “When the lights go down in the city/and the sun shines on the bay” — as they exit the stadium.

Celebrating 10 years of home field advantage at #LevisStadium! pic.twitter.com/i1UigPtH2R

— Levi's® Stadium (@LevisStadium) July 17, 2024

Matt Barrows’ favorite thing

The old photos are fantastic. They depict everything from Kezar Stadium to Joe Perry giving a postgame interview to Frank Gore breaking through the line of scrimmage. They include works from one of the team’s first photographers, Frank Rippon, to those of longtime archivist Michael Zagaris. That they’ve been printed on aluminum — it gives them real “pop” — makes it feel like you’re in an art gallery.

David Lombardi’s favorite thing

The stadium offers many angles from which to catch the game, including some dedicated standing-room-only sections at the top of the lower deck in the northwest and southwest corners. The lower concourse is open to all ticket holders, so you can make a lap even if you don’t have premium seats, see the game from a few different vantage points and see the food options along the way.

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 12

Jon Machota ranked all 30 NFL stadiums in August 2023 and, regarding Levi’s Stadium, noted that it’s “one of the league’s newer stadiums, opening in 2014, but there isn’t much about it that stands out.” That’s perhaps the biggest complaint about the 49ers’ decade-old home. In an era of impressive structures being built in Minnesota, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Levi’s is more along the lines of adequate.

The biggest issue since its 2014 opening has been the lack of shade on the stadium’s east side that’s particularly troublesome during early-season afternoon games. The 49ers have been able to mitigate that issue to a degree during their run of success over the last five years, with the NFL often scheduling prime-time games at home during the season’s first month. (The 49ers open this season on “Monday Night Football” against the New York Jets, for example.) The team also has $200 million in upgrades planned, though extra shade won’t be involved. They will offer enhanced WiFi technology this season and in 2025 will introduce new video boards the team says will be the largest 4K displays in the NFL. Those, along with some other upgrades, will come as Levi’s is set to host its second Super Bowl in February 2026 and will be among the host sites for the 2026 World Cup.

Fans’ game day advice

The Athletic surveyed NFL fans for their feedback on the following questions:

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

Sections 231, 232. In the shade and close to the gate exits. Bathrooms and concessions are close by. They are on the 49ers’ side and near the 5-yard line to the end zone. — Martes S.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

So many options for good food, but my personal favorite is Super Duper Burgers. —Adam G.

The food and beverage in the BNY Mellon Club is off the charts good. Tremendous variety and the open bar is not too hard to get a top-shelf drink at. — William P.

What’s the best beer option?

The north outer edge of the stadium usually has smaller lines for a microbrew. — Sean H.

With a Mango Cart or Stella in hand, I enjoy every home game! —B B.

Where is the best spot to take a photo?

Go to the 49ers Museum a day prior and take a photo with the Jerry Rice statue. A close second is with the Dwight Clark statue. — Martes S.

The south end zone where it opens up is pretty iconic but, in my opinion, you’ve gotta take photos from your seat with the field behind you. — Bryan V.

What are the kid-friendly activities/options at the stadium?

The museum. —Adam G.

South of the stadium, there’s a small kids section, but it’s weak compared to other stadiums. — Sean H.

Where is the best place to tailgate?

Anywhere in Lot 1. There’s an Instagram @49ers_tailgate that shares a ton of different tailgate parties and info for all home AND away games! — Bryan V.

What to know if you go

Stadium address: 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054.

Year opened: 2014.

Roof? No roof.

Playing surface: Bermuda grass.

Stadium capacity: 68,500.

2023 average attendance per game (per Pro Football Reference): 71,655.

Tickets: $367 is the average StubHub ticket cost at Levi’s Stadium for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub. Season tickets require the purchase of a Stadium Builder’s License (SBL), with the prices based on the level of seating.

Bag policy: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Non-clear bags that are no larger than 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches and are about the size of a hand are permitted. These bags can be carried with or without a strap. Other bags that are allowed include one-gallon, clear plastic freezer bags, binocular cases and camera cases. Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are also permitted. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Outside food policy: Food may be brought into the stadium if it meets the NFL’s bag policy. Fruit must be cut up into pieces. Factory-sealed plastic water bottles are also permitted.

ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires at least 1 percent of stadium seats to be wheelchair accessible. For more information on all accessibility services at Levi’s Stadium, click here.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is allowed in select lots only (Premium Red Lot VIP, Premium Red Lots 1 and 3, Premium Green Lots 1 and 2, Green Lot 4, Blue Lot 1, RV Blue Lot 1 and Premium Yellow Lots 1 and 2). All guests must have a valid ticket or credential and tailgating must cease at kickoff.

Transportation options: Driving, Uber/Lyft, VTA Light Rail, VTA buses, ACE train, Amtrak Capital Corridor train. Free bike parking is available outside Gates A and C.

Parking: All stadium parking lots require pre-purchased passes. Private lots in nearby business parks are available for game day in-person purchases. Stadium lots open 3 1/2 hours before kickoff and close two hours after the game ends.

Learn more: https://www.levisstadium.com/

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(Top illustration: Ray Orr / The Athletic; photos: Ric Tapia and Bob Kupbens / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)