These photos chronicle Princeton Stadium construction and Opening Day during September 1998. Click on any of the previews to see a larger image.

Landscaping and finish work occupied much of the final weeks of construction. The access road leading around the stadium was paved, as were the walkways near the stadium. The stairs leading from Western Way down to the stadium's north end appear on the left. On the right is one of the rooms in the outer wall being fitted out as a ticket window; you can see through it into the stadium.

As the Class of 2002 arrived on campus, they were greeted with large Opening Day banners flying throughout the campus and town. While spectators scrambled to purchase the last available tickets, the stadium's entrances were fitted with metal gates featuring stylized Princeton shields. (The lettered inserts, installed in mid-October, were among the stadium's final touches.)

With fewer than 48 hours remaining before the opening kickoff, all that's left to install are the nets behind the goalposts. Rubber padding's been installed behind each endzone to protect overenthusiastic players from the stadium (or vice versa), the field's been lined, and large Opening Day banners hang from the arches.

Opening Day!   On September 19, crowds of students, staff, alumni, and fans converged on the stadium for pregame tailgates. As gametime approached, the Princeton Band P-Raded from campus to the stadium; this view is from the suspended walkway. On Weaver Track, flag bearers and the Band prepared for the dedication ceremony.

At 1:15pm, the Band took the field for its first performance in Princeton Stadium, opening the dedication by forming a 'P' and playing Princeton Forward March. They were joined by representatives of the groups that made the new stadium possible, and a brief presentation was followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner; afterwards Cornell's Big Red Marching Band performed Far Above Cayuga's Waters.

Members of past Princeton football teams marched onto the field behind their class banners, while Band played The Princeton Cannon Song and Going Back to Nassau Hall. Then as the Band led the crowd in Old Nassau as the Princeton flag last lowered in Palmer Stadium was raised in Princeton Stadium. With the stadium officially dedicated the 1998 football team stormed onto the field for their first game. On the right is a view of the south endzone early in the second quarter. Although students have been exiled from the home side of the stadium, 3000 packed into the endzone for Opening Day.

A sellout crowd of 27,800 filled the stadium; this was Princeton's first sellout at a home football game in over thirty years. On the left is a view from the sideline in front of section 2, looking up across the home side. The Band saluted the new stadium, forming the goalposts during the halftime show.

The capacity crowd allowed for a rare site: The Wave completely circled the stadium three times.