100
YEARS
OF
BREESE STEVENS FIELD
In honor of the 100th year, Breese Stevens Field debuts an anniversary logo for the celebration. The logo represents the historic and iconic brick facade that encompasses the stadium. Additionally, it highlights the original and still standing grandstand at the bottom of the design. It includes a star, or beacon of excellence in Madison. A star has marked the stadium in branding and is permanently pressed into the concrete.
On May 5th, 2026, Breese Stevens Field will celebrate 100 Years of Sports, Entertainment, and Community in Downtown Madison, Wisconsin.
“Breese Stevens Field has been an important venue for community gatherings for 100 years. From baseball in the 1930’s to war bond drives in the 1940’s to football and track and field in the 1950’s to Drums on Parade in the 1960’s, the grandstand has hosted generations of Madisonians at sporting and cultural events. That tradition continues today – Breese Stevens is the home field for Forward Madison, Rally Madison and the Madison Radicals, and hosts markets, concerts, and neighborhood events. The City of Madison is grateful for the partnerships that keep Breese Stevens a vibrant and important anchor for the Capitol East District, and looks forward to celebrating another 100 years of community within the iconic WPA stone walls.” - Mayor Rhodes-Conway.
Let’s Get the Party Started!
A season-long celebration is slated to begin with a grand reopening weekend presented by Don’s Home Furniture, starting on May 15th as women’s soccer debuts at Breese Stevens Field with Rally Madison FC taking on Chicago House AC in their pre-season match. The Rally Madison FC game will be a family affair with the Don’s Home Furniture pre-game fan fest including face painting, rock climbing wall, inflatable obstacle courses, and a post-game meet the team session with autographs.
Following on May 16th, Forward Madison FC enters their eighth year in USL League One in their 2026 home opener against USL Championship Club, Detroit City FC. This match up will mark the ‘Mingos first home USL Prinx Tires Cup fixture. Forward Madison FC will host a pre-game tailgate including family friendly activities and Ferris Wheel rides.
“There’s no better way to kick off a year of celebration for Breese Stevens Field’s 100 Year Anniversary than with Rally Madison FC taking the field for the first time and Forward Madison FC’s home opener,” said Kyler Donovan, General Manager of Forward Madison FC and Rally Madison FC.
“We can’t wait to open the gates back up and welcome fans in for the two-day fan fest at the stadium with our friends at Don’s Home Furniture. Breese Stevens Field has been a wonderful home for Forward over the last several years, and we’re ecstatic to be a part of this milestone celebration.”
History continues as Rally Madison FC takes on Minnesota Aurora FC, on May 23rd, in their season opening home-field debut!
The celebrations continues as the FMFC ‘Mingos host Centennial Night in honor of Breese Stevens Field’s 100th year on May 29th. The team will take to the pitch for the first time in their Centennial Kit. Forward Madison FC will highlight the illustious history of Breese, sporting a special Centennial Kit throughout their 2026 season, starting May 29th. The jersey, coined a “Faux Back”, will take fans back to the 1920’s in an imagined uniform for that time period. An additional collection of limited merchandise related to the Centennial celebration is available now. The match will follow an inaugural Breese Stevens Field Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and more!
Tickets for Forward Madison FC and Rally Madison FC games can be found at forwardmadisonfc.com or rallymadisonfc.com.
Breese Stevens Field is set to host over 100 events in its 100th year in 2026, celebrating the long and vibrant history of sports and entertainment in Downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Head to www.BreeseStevensField.com, sign up for our email list, and follow Breese Stevens Field on all social media platforms for event updates and ticket purchases.
“Breese Stevens Field has a long and vibrant history that includes a wide variety of sports, community, and entertainment uses over its first 100 years,” said General Manager, Tristan Straub. “We are excited and grateful to continue that history in 2026 and beyond. We greatly appreciate community efforts and the surrounding neighborhoods working with us to bring unique, fun events to the heart of beautiful Downtown Madison, WI.”
The Rise of
BREESE STEVENS FIELD
By David Michael Miller
In celebration of 100 years as Madison, Wisconsin’s field of dreams, the stadium’s charmed history is revealed at last in The Rise of Breese Stevens Field by David Michael Miller. More than just a book about a ballpark, it tells the story of the capital city’s struggle to build the athletic grounds that every other city had. Succeeding in 1926, Breese not only fulfilled its promise as a playfield for local schools and amateur teams, but brought the thrills of professional wrestling, boxing, soccer, softball, speed skating and midget auto racing to Madison. Sports legends like Satchel Paige, Red Grange, Elroy Hirsch and Jesse Owens competed there. The Rise of Breese Stevens Field brings the lore.
The Rise of Breese Stevens Field profiles the colorful personalities that shined with the stadium. Wry sportswriter Roundy Coughlin not only had an uncanny knack for picking winners, but he promoted the causes of field and team like no one else. There was also peppery Blues manager Eddie Lenahan who led his team through the streaks and the slumps for 17 seasons. And no local athlete was as colorful as Greek wrestler Jimmy Demetral, who made Madison his home and went on to win two world titles at Breese. He booked a steady flow of wild mat men there, along with Sailor Art Thomas, a black bodybuilder from Madison who became world heavyweight champion.
Ultimately, the book reveals how Breese rose to become the cherished center of the Madison community. The field saw the city through the Depression by using New Deal dollars to erect its limestone walls. It also became a gathering place during the Second World War. The arena has featured circuses, water follies, daredevil drivers, a rodeo, and even Shakespeare in the ballpark. Breese Stevens Field thrives today as the home of the Madison Forward FC and the Ultimate Frisbee Association’s Madison Radicals. It also features rock concerts, tasting events, bodegas, and live comedy in their Forward Club. With the field more popular than ever before, The Rise of Breese Stevens Field is happy to tell its origin story.
Stop by The Forward Club and Pick-Up Your Copy of “The Rise of Breese Stevens Field” Today!
BREESE STEVENS FIELD
The Historical Report
Located 8 blocks away from the Wisconsin Capitol, Breese Stevens Field is home to the oldest extant masonry grandstand in the state of Wisconsin.
The complex was designated as a Madison Landmark in 1995.
It was accepted for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (1995) and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places (2014).
