Ratcliffe Stadium

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ratcliffe Stadium is a popular sports venue located in the city of Fresno, California.


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Summary

The stadium has a seating capacity of 12,500 and is primarily used for football, soccer, and track and field events. It is also used for concerts and other community events.

One of the main reasons to visit Ratcliffe Stadium is to watch a game or event. The stadium has hosted numerous high school and college football games, as well as soccer matches and track and field competitions. Visitors can enjoy the excitement of the games while taking in the beautiful views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains.

In addition to sports events, Ratcliffe Stadium is also home to the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame, which honors local athletes and coaches who have made significant contributions to their sport.

Another point of interest at Ratcliffe Stadium is the Victory Bell, which was presented to the Fresno State football team by the USS Arizona survivor's club in 1968. The bell is rung after each Fresno State victory and has become a beloved tradition among fans.

Interesting facts about the stadium include that it was built in 1939 as part of the Works Progress Administration, a federal program during the Great Depression that employed millions of unemployed Americans. The stadium has also been used as a filming location for movies and TV shows, including the classic football film "All the Right Moves."

The best time of year to visit Ratcliffe Stadium depends on the event. Football season usually runs from September to November, while soccer matches and track and field events can take place throughout the year. Visitors should check the stadium's schedule to find out when events are taking place and plan their visit accordingly.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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