Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, Florida - Home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Located in Tampa Bay, Florida, Raymond James Stadium is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is also home to the South Florida Bulls of the University of South Florida, and hosts the New Year's Day Outback Bowl and has held several Super Bowls. After football season ends in January/February, the venue is host to the Monster Jam monster truck rally, and has been home to several Major League Soccer games, the last of which was held in 2001.

Also known as "the Ray Jay'', Raymond James Stadium has been home to the Buccaneers since 1998. The venue is managed by the Tampa Sports Authority, and the naming rights were purchased by Raymond James Financial, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Florida. The deal was signed for 13 years, and cost $32.5 million. However, it was extended, with the name of the venue staying in place until at least 2015.

Construction for Raymond James Stadium took place in fall of 1996, with its completion in September 1998. The first game was between the Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears on September 20, 1998. All in all, the construction cost $168.5 million. The stadium was built to replace Houlihan's Stadium, which is located right next to the Ray. The venue has a capacity of 65,857, but is capable of holding up to 75,000 for special events.

Raymond James Stadium is well-equipped for all sorts of events. Event sizes can range anywhere from 50 to 50,000 patrons, and can be held anywhere from the east and west restaurants to the field itself. Other options include club lounges and the press box. For patrons with disabilities, Raymond James Stadium offers close parking and easily accessible entrances. Elevators are also available to make every patron's visit a good one. Raymond James Stadium is also adorned with a pair of "Buc Vision'' video screens that are 92' wide, making them some of the largest in the league. The venue also boasts rotating billboards, replacing the stationary ones in 2003. The open-roofed venue has a natural grass surface (Tifway 419 Bermuda), and has been rated the "best turf in the NFL'' in the 2004 biannual player's survey.

In 2006, the Raymond James Stadium had its stadium seats replaced due to the original seats turning a pink color as opposed to the red color they were supposed to be. This issue was due to a lack of a UV protective chemical being mixed in with the seats during the molding process. The replacement of these seats was the result of a $1.5 million agreement. Perhaps the most unique feature of Raymond James Stadium is the 103 foot long, 43 ton pirate ship made of concrete and steel. During games, it celebrates any points scored by the Buccaneers by firing rubber footballs and confetti into the crowd. It also boasts an automate parrot that squawks and talks to fans. During the more important games of the season, the event is covered from the pirate ship itself, expressing much of the venue's distinct character.