Thursday, July 9, 2026

Oregon’s Renovated Track & Field “Theater” Hosting Championships

  • The $270M renovation expanded maximum capacity to 25,000 and added a number of new amenities.
  • The project was funded entirely by private donations, including one from Nike founder Phil Knight.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

One of college track and field’s most iconic programs continues to show off its recently renovated facilities in style.

The University of Oregon will host the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the 14th time in program history — and second since its Hayward Field reopened after Spring 2020 renovations.

The project expanded seating to 12,650 — with maximum capacity up to 25,000 — and added a ninth running lane.

Facilities underneath the track include equipment and training rooms, player lounges, a barbershop, and covered areas for each track and field discipline.

There is also a 10-story tower in the shape of the Olympic Torch that houses a museum and an observation deck.

The $270 million compound was funded entirely by private donations — most notably from avid UO booster and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who recently put in an offer to buy the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Championships begin Wednesday.

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