Historic Hayward

When it comes to iconic facilities, Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon stands alone in the sport of track and field. But why?

As the centerpiece of ‘Track Town, USA’, Hayward Field attracts athletes, coaches and fans from thousands of miles away because of its renowned crowds well-versed in the sport and ready to roar in approval. Hayward Field’s historic, covered grandstands are equally beloved, and comparable to many famous European venues. The ‘Carnegie Hall’ for American track and field plays host annually to the nation’s finest single-day track and field contest, the Prefontaine Classic, which features the top mix of national and international talent on American soil each year.

Hayward Field has hosted NCAA Championships, USATF Championships, USATF Elite Running Circuit events, and the stadium hosts the Nike Prefontaine Classic annually in June. It hosted the US Track and Field Olympic Trials in 1972, 1976, and 1980, making it the only site to host three consecutive trials. It again hosted the Trials in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics. Temporary seating raised the crowd capacity to more than 21,000.

In 2010, Track Town USA welcomed the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the 10th time since 1962 – the most of any venue in modern history. Six U.S. Championships have graced the storied venue, including recent events in 1999, 2001 and 2009.

The Prefontaine Classic is one of the premier track and field meets in the United States. Every year it draws a world caliber field to compete at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Originally started as the Hayward Field Restoration Race, in 1975 the name was changed to the Prefontaine Classic after legendary University of Oregon distance runner and Olympian Steve Prefontaine was killed in a car accident a week prior to the meet. Nike has been the primary sponsor since 1984, one of the longest continuous sponsorships of a major sporting event globally.

With the stands filled with “the most knowledgeable fans anywhere,” a stadium filled with the latest technology, and a legacy that is second to none, it’s little wonder that athletes from around the world dream of the day they can compete on the stage that can only be called, Historic Hayward.