As UMass gears up for its first season in the Mid-American Conference (again), much of the attention is rightfully focused on the new coaching staff, how the conference move has changed recruiting as well as how the Minutemen will perform in league play — or, MACtion.
But now that UMass will be playing the same group of teams year in and year out, there will be biennial trips to stadiums across the MAC. One question hasn’t yet been addressed: how does McGuirk Alumni Stadium compare to other venues across the conference?
With four MAC road games on the 2025 slate, Minutemen fans will get a strong sense of the conference’s diverse football venues. From modern builds to century-old classics, the MAC features a broad spectrum of stadium environments.
Let’s take a look at how McGuirk matches up with UMass’ four road opponents this year.
McGuirk Alumni Stadium — UMass (Amherst, Mass.)
Opened: 1965
Capacity: 17,000
2024 Average Attendance: 12,102 (High: 16,102 vs. Missouri)
Home to UMass since 1965, McGuirk is modest in size and lacks a distinct identity. Last year, after clips of Missouri players walking into sheds outside of McGuirk (where the visitors’ locker rooms are) went viral, Minutemen fans tagged their home stadium as “The Junkyard” — not exactly a label you want.
With aluminum bleachers on both sidelines and no permanent seating behind the end zones (save for a few tents with minimal seating underneath the large video board), the stadium has a rather bland layout. Upgrades were made in 2019 and 2022 and the turf was recently redone, and the Martin & Richard Jacobson Press and Skybox Complex provides a modern touch to the venue. The Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center towers over the north end zone and also helps give a nice backdrop behind the stadium.
While it lacks premium seating options or luxury amenities, McGuirk can hold its own in the MAC when it’s full. But getting to that point has been the hard part since the Minutemen made the jump to the FBS level.
Dix Stadium – Kent State (Kent, Ohio) – Oct. 11, 2:30 p.m.
Opened: 1969
Capacity: 25,319
2024 Average Attendance: 8,447 (High: 11,585 vs. Saint Francis)
At first glance, Dix Stadium appears larger and more ambitious than McGuirk. Three grandstands stretch around the field — two on the sidelines and one in the north end zone. Bleacher seating dominates, though roughly 12,000 fans on the west side enjoy seat-back options and access to suites.
Dix once had aspirations to expand capacity to 50,000, though those plans never materialized. In 2024, Kent State struggled to draw crowds as losses mounted, and the attendance reflected the team’s slide.
UMass fans might feel at home here considering the similar bleacher-style seating, and an atmosphere that largely depends on team success.
Edge: McGuirk (better recent attendance and modern upgrades)
Kelly/Shorts Stadium – Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) – Oct. 25, time TBD
Opened: 1972
Capacity: 35,127
2024 Average Attendance: 17,752 (High: 27,072 vs. San Diego State)
Kelly/Shorts is a different beast entirely. The largest on-campus stadium in the MAC, it wraps nearly 360 degrees around the field in a true bowl-style layout. CMU fans have built a reputation for bringing intensity, especially during big games.
FieldTurf was installed in 2016, replacing the aging AstroTurf surface, and while the stadium is now nearly 50 years old, it’s among the most respected venues in the conference for its size and atmosphere.
Compared to McGuirk, Kelly/Shorts feels significantly more rugged — bigger crowds, more seating and a more intimidating environment.
Edge: Kelly/Shorts (size, layout and atmosphere)
InfoCision Stadium – Akron (Akron, Ohio) – Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 30,000
2024 Average Attendance: 6,374 (High: 9,337 vs. Bowling Green)
Opened just over 15 years ago, InfoCision Stadium is one of the MAC’s crown jewels — at least on paper. It boasts 38 luxury suites, 522 club seats and several bars within its skybox complex. The “Grassy Knoll” behind the south end zone adds a unique student section atmosphere.
But the potential of what InfoCision could be hasn’t translated to game-day energy. Attendance has been among the lowest in the conference, and the stadium often feels oversized for the crowds it holds.
From a facilities standpoint, InfoCision clearly outclasses McGuirk. From a fan experience? That’s up for debate.
Edge: InfoCision (facilities)
Peden Stadium – Ohio (Athens, Ohio) – Nov. 18, 7 p.m.
Opened: 1929 (Renovated 2001)
Capacity: 25,210
2024 Average Attendance: 17,641 (High: 22,158 vs. South Alabama)
For die-hard UMass fans that plan on making MAC road trips, Peden Stadium will be their favorite this fall. It feels like college football there. Peden blends old-school charm with consistent success. Originally known as Ohio Stadium (no, not that Ohio Stadium), Peden boasts grandstands on each sideline, an expansive hospitality area in the north end zone and Victory Hill — a sloping grass lawn that doubles as overflow seating — in the south end zone.
The Bobcats averaged nearly 18,000 fans per game last season during an 11-win campaign that featured their sixth straight bowl victory. The crowd buys in, and the energy is palpable.
McGuirk may be newer, but Peden offers a game-day experience rich in history, community and in recent years, winning football.
Edge: Ohio (fan engagement and attendance)