You’ve probably seen the signs changed on the way into the city. For years, it was impossible to miss the red and white branding of a pizza giant towering over the University of Louisville campus. But if you’re still calling it Papa John's Stadium Louisville, you’re technically about eight years behind the times.
The name is gone.
Honestly, the transition wasn't just a simple rebranding exercise. It was a messy, public breakup that fundamentally changed how the University of Louisville handles its most valuable real estate. Today, the venue is officially L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, or just "L&N Stadium" if you're in a rush.
The Controversy That Stripped the Name
Most people remember the headlines from 2018. John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John’s, used a racial slur during a company conference call. The fallout was instantaneous. Within days, the university’s then-president, Neeli Bendapudi, made the call to strip the name from the stadium.
It wasn't cheap.
Schnatter had a deep-rooted history with the school. He’d initially paid $5 million for the naming rights back in 1998, then dropped another $10 million in 2007 to extend that deal all the way to 2040. When the university decided to scrub his name, they entered a legal and financial gray area that took over a year to settle.
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By 2019, they reached a settlement. The school kept the money already paid, but the "Papa" was officially out. For a long four-year stretch, the building was simply known as Cardinal Stadium. It felt a bit generic, like a placeholder.
Enter the L&N Era
In early 2023, the school finally found a partner that didn't come with the baggage of a single personality. L&N Federal Credit Union stepped up with a massive $41.3 million deal that runs through 2042.
There’s a bit of poetic justice in the new name.
The stadium is built on the site of the old South Louisville Rail Yard. In 1954, that very credit union was founded to serve the L&N Railroad workers right on that spot. When the Cardinals score a touchdown now, they still blast a train horn. It’s a nod to the industrial history of the land that most fans just think is a cool sound effect.
Capacity and the Fan Experience
If you haven't been there lately, the place is much bigger than you remember. What started as a 42,000-seat stadium has grown through two major expansions.
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- The 2010 Expansion: They added the "Flight Deck" (the upper tier on the east side) and the Norton's Terrace, pushing capacity to 55,000.
- The 2018 North End Zone Expansion: This was the big one. They closed the "horseshoe" and added over 6,000 seats, bringing the official capacity to 60,800.
They didn't just add bleachers. They added the Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club, which is basically an 18,000-square-foot luxury lounge with two private speakeasies. It’s very Louisville. You can be watching a brutal ACC football game while sipping premium bourbon in a space that feels more like a high-end hotel than a sports arena.
The record attendance actually happened recently. In November 2023, 59,225 fans packed in to watch the rivalry game against Kentucky. It was loud. It was crowded. It proved that the name on the outside doesn't matter nearly as much as the team on the inside.
What it Costs to Visit
Parking is the perennial headache. The stadium is situated at the corner of Floyd Street and Central Avenue, and while there are "Bronze" and "Purple" lots, they are almost exclusively for season ticket holders and high-level donors.
If you're heading there for a game or a concert:
- Off-site parking: Expect to pay $20 to $40 at private lots nearby.
- Tailgating: The "Card March" is the tradition you can't miss. The team arrives about two hours before kickoff at the stairs of the Central Avenue overpass.
- The "Alley": This is the newer pre-game fan zone with food trucks and live music that has replaced some of the older, dirtier tailgating spots.
More Than Just Football
While it’s the home of the Cardinals, the stadium has a history of hosting massive tours. Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour in June 2018 was actually the last major event held under the "Papa John's" name.
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Other big names that have filled the grass:
- U2 (The Joshua Tree Tour 2017)
- Kenny Chesney (Multiple years)
- NSYNC (Way back in 2001)
The surface is FieldTurf Revolution, which is why they can host a concert on a Saturday and have the team practice on it by Monday without the ground looking like a mud pit.
Practical Steps for Your Next Visit
If you’re planning to attend an event at L&N Stadium, keep these expert tips in mind to avoid being the person stuck at the gate:
- Download the App: Everything is mobile-only now. Don't rely on the stadium Wi-Fi at the gate; download your tickets to your Apple or Google Wallet before you leave the house. Cell service gets spotty when 60,000 people are trying to post to Instagram at once.
- Clear Bag Policy: This catches people every single time. If your bag isn't clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and doesn't meet the 12" x 6" x 12" dimensions, you’re walking back to your car.
- Gate Entry: Use Gates 2 or 4 for the fastest entry. They’ve recently installed new pedestal scanners and walk-through security that doesn't require you to empty your pockets of keys and phones.
- Happy Hour: If you get there early (gates open 90 minutes to 2 hours before kickoff), they usually offer half-priced drinks until about 30 minutes before the start.
L&N Stadium has finally moved past its identity crisis. It’s no longer just "the pizza stadium." It’s a modern, 60,000-seat powerhouse that honors the city’s railroad roots while providing some of the most "Kentucky" luxury experiences in college sports.