BSF Proposed Capital Improvements FAQ

Big Top Events, the operator of Breese Stevens Field, recently proposed a privately-funded $9 million+ renovation that would transform the overall fan and performer experiences at the stadium. For 100 years, Breese Stevens Field has been one of Madison’s true community gathering places. Today it hosts concerts, athletics, and community events that bring tens of thousands of people downtown each year. This proposal is a chance to rehabilitate the stadium and keep it serving the City of Madison well into its second century.

What Improvements Are Proposed?

A permanent stage is the project's centerpiece, incorporating spectator space for other events, to be constructed at the east end of the stadium. Currently, every concert requires a temporary stage to be installed and removed.

  • Limitations of the current concert set-up:

    • Costly portable stage, sound, video and back-of-house set-up

    • No running water or amenities for artists

    • Outdoor catering and artist experience

    • Increased competition from new venues across the Midwest

    • Due to these factors, Breese Stevens Field is facing a decline in the number of shows.

A permanent stage would eliminate the recurring need to construct and dismantle temporary infrastructure and create a more functional, consistent venue for performances and other events.

  • A permanent stage will also create a better experience for artists and performers, improving Big Top’s ability to compete with other boutique concert venues for high level performers.

  • Maintaining and expanding the stadium's ability to attract quality performers is important to the continued vitality of Breese Stevens Field as a cultural and entertainment venue.

  • The stage would also be available for low or no-cost community events, providing additional flexibility for public and nonprofit uses of the facility.

The proposed stage project would improve the experience for concerts, sports, and community events alike. The rest of the package supports that same goal:

  • Expanded stormwater management and permanent plumbing fixtures.

    • Investment in this infrastructure is an important component of responsible long-term stewardship of the facility and would help address an existing need as part of the broader capital investment.

  • Dedicated artist and event support facilities.

    • Big Top proposes creating an artist green room and concert support facilities with modular buildings. These facilities would improve the operational functionality of the venue and provide appropriate preparation and support space for artists, performers, and their staff.

  • On-site parking and shore power for buses and large touring vehicles.

    • The proposed changes alleviate, and possibly eliminate, the need for buses and trucks to park on the streets surrounding the stadium. Instead, support vehicles would park inside the stadium, allowing for easier loading in and out, reducing the impact of oversized vehicles parking along neighborhood streets. Support vehicles will also have access to shore power to minimize truck and bus idling in the neighborhood.

  • Public restrooms on the Brearly St. end of the stadium for some events.

  • New locker rooms and a concession building that can also serve as a year-round hospitality space.

    • The current locker rooms at Breese Stevens Field are small and unable to meet the current standards of professional sports teams.

    • This locker room would support higher level professional athletics in addition to supporting concerts.

    • The proposed improvements would expand the types of events and activities that can reasonably be accommodated at the stadium while improving the experience for participants and visitors.

Construction timeline:

Construction is ostensibly slated to begin and be completed in 2027.

Historic character:

The improvements make Breese Stevens Field more sustainable as a multi-use facility. The stadium continues to serve sports, as it was built to do, while allowing for increased concert and community event activity.

Who owns the improvements?

No public money is involved in this project. It is privately-funded entirely by Big Top Events.

Effective immediately following completion of construction of the proposed improvements, they will become property of the City of Madison in perpetuity. The City shall retain ownership of any Capital Improvement to the Stadium funded in whole or in part by any source, and Big Top is not entitled to any reimbursement from the City.

Who can use Breese Stevens Field?

All are welcome to work with Big Top Events, LLC to submit requests to host events at Breese Stevens Field. Big Top Events has worked with a wide variety of local and national concert and festival promoters throughout its first eleven years managing Breese Stevens Field. The capital improvements proposal does not establish any exclusivity deals.

Use agreement proposal:

For Big Top Events to make this investment in the property, a change in the Use Agreement would be necessary to ensure both parties benefit from the privately funded capital improvements. The following terms of a new Use Agreement are proposed:

  • First, create a new 21-year agreement between Big Top and the City for the use of the facility with most terms based on the current Use Agreement. This will provide the long-term stability needed for Big Top to make the investment.

    • The agreement would have an 11-year initial term with two five-year options to extend..

  • The new Use Agreement would establish per-ticket fees to provide funding to support facility needs. A portion of the per ticket fee would be allocated to a non-reverting segregated fund to ensure the revenue is dedicated to Breese Stevens Field for City-led repairs and maintenance of the historic asset. Establishing a dedicated revenue source would help ensure that the facility continues to receive investment after the initial capital improvements are completed, rather than allowing maintenance needs to accumulate over time.

The number of shows held at the stadium would increase to meet the needed return on investment, and to recognize the growing demand for culture and entertainment of our population.

  • In 2026, the Board of Park Commissioners authorized up to 12 concerts to be held (Leg File 91401).

    • The proposed change in the number of concerts would start with 14 concerts in 2027 and increase until a maximum of 20 concerts allowed in 2031 and beyond. Proposed increases are:

      • 2027: 14 Concerts

      • 2028: 18 Concerts

      • 2029: 19 Concerts

      • 2030: 19 Concerts

      • 2031-2047: 20 Concerts

    • Each year, shows that are above 12 in a year would have per-show fees charged to Big Top.

  • The contract would include strict limits on the number of shows that could be held on a school night across the term of the agreement.

    • Big Top shall limit the number of Concerts on Sunday through Thursday nights during the MMSD school year to a maximum of five (5) such concerts in any one calendar year.

  • An updated Use Agreement would grant the City the ability to provide blackout dates to reduce conflict with existing long-term events in close proximity, including Fête de Marquette.

  • All shows would be subject to the same restrictions on sound levels (no greater than a sustained 100dB across all octave bandwidths at the front-of-house mix position) and curfew (10:00 p.m.) that are in the current agreement.

  • Noise levels are expected to remain the same.

  • BTE responsible for maintenance of projects under $10,000

    • Previous cap of $5,000

  • BTE remains responsible for annual Board of Park Commissioners and neighborhood submittals:

    • Neighborhood Impact Plan

    • Fan Access Plan

    • Responsible Alcohol Consumption Action Plan

These provisions are intended to balance the community value of increased cultural and entertainment opportunities with our responsibility to be a good neighbor. The agreement would continue to provide the City with tools to address potential conflicts with surrounding activities and community interests.

Traffic & parking adjustments:

  • Parking enforcement will be increased for all concerts based on the crowd size and demographics, paid for by BTE (new in 2027)

  • BTE will provide parking spots each show date in the Lapham Elementary neighborhood for neighbors without driveways and others in need (new in 2027)

  • BTE to install digital message boards directing patrons to lots south of E Washington Avenue on event dates

  • Investigate 4-Way Stop at the corner of N. Brearly St & E. Mifflin St with Traffic & Engineering (new in 2027)

  • BTE has ongoing dialogue with Metro Transit on point-of-purchase BRT and Parking Passes

  • BTE will host an annual meeting each Fall with the TLNA and the Dept of Traffic & Engineering to garner feedback and discuss future changes (new in 2027)

  • Signal timing adjustments for pedestrian safety

  • Potential changes to parking restrictions and permits with Curb Management consultant review (2027)

  • Partner with Metro Transit to incentivize increased bus ridership to events (new in 2027)

How do I support this project?

This proposal (Legistar File 94638) meets the needs of a historic facility while opening the door to more nationally touring concerts in Madison, which means more business for local shops, restaurants, and hotels, and a bigger stage for the City of Madison itself.

If you'd like to support these improvements, we encourage you to share your thoughts and a letter of support with the following people before November 4th:

Even a few sentences about what Breese Stevens Field means to you, your business, or your neighborhood can make a real difference. Thank you for being part of the next hundred years of this Madison landmark.

Questions? Contact us at info@breesestevensfield.com or fill out our feedback survey.