The Cal football team will play at the 49ers’ new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara next season, after all.
But the opponent will be Oregon, not Stanford.
The Golden Bears and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority announced Tuesday the Bears and Ducks will stage the first college football game at the new stadium on Friday, Oct. 24 of next season.
Cal had explored the possibility of playing the Big Game at Levi’s Stadium next season, but shelved the proposal because of sharp reaction from fans and alumni.
“Playing the first college football game at Levi’s Stadium provides an exceptional opportunity for our student-athletes, alumni, students and fans to be some of the first to experience the new venue, one that will soon play host to a Super Bowl,” Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour said in a statement.
Levi’s Stadium is scheduled to open for the 2014 football season as the new home for the 49ers. The $1.2 billion facility seats 68,500 and will serve as the site for Super Bowl L in 2016 and the annual Fight Hunger Bowl beginning next year.
“I know that our players will embrace the chance to play Oregon at Levi’s Stadium next fall, and I’m sure our fans will create a great atmosphere for our team,” Cal coach Sonny Dykes said. “This is a special opportunity to play in a stadium where the Super Bowl will be held in the near future and one that we feel can generate a tremendous overall experience for everyone involved.”
The Cal-Oregon contest will be televised nationally by either ESPN or FOX, with the network to be designated at a later date.
Barbour also said the move to Santa Clara gives the university administration the ability to study the effects of weeknight games and develop solutions for hosting games under those circumstances in Berkekey.
TICKET INFORMATION: Cal season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to opt-in to purchase seats to the Cal-Oregon game in addition to the six-game Memorial Stadium package.
Full season-ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets to the Cal-Oregon game at a special discounted rate, and ESP members will receive complimentary tickets and parking equivalent to their normal allocation.
Cal students will have access to tickets at a significant discount and complimentary transportation to the game. Specific inventory has been reserved for Levi’s Stadium Builders License (SBL) holders who, along with suite holders, will have access to tickets prior to the general public for this event.