Fitzpatrick Stadium

James J. Fitzpatrick Stadium (formerly, Portland Stadium) is a 6,300-seat multi-purpose outdoor stadium in Portland, Maine, United States.^[2] Built in 1930, it sits between Interstate 295, Hadlock Field baseball stadium, King Middle School, and the Portland Exposition Building. It is located across Deering Avenue from Deering Oaks Park. It was renamed in 1989 to honor James J. Fitzpatrick. It is the primary stadium for Portland High School athletics and the USL League One team Portland Hearts of Pine.

Fitzpatrick Stadium

Fitzy
Fitzpatrick Stadium in 2024
Full name	James J. Fitzpatrick Stadium
Former names	Portland Stadium
Address	256 Deering Avenue
Location	Portland, Maine, United States
Public transit	Downeaster at Portland Greater Portland Metro: 5
Owner	City of Portland
Operator	City of Portland
Capacity	6,300 5,500 (USL Configuration)[1]
Surface	FieldTurf (2001–present) Grass (1930–2001)
Construction
Opened	1930
Renovated	2001, 2010, 2024
Tenants
Portland Hearts of Pine (USL1) (2025–present) Portland High School Bulldogs (MPA) (1930–present) Portland Pilots (NEL) (1946–1949)
Website
portlandmaine.gov

History

Portland Stadium was built in 1930 to replace the smaller Bayside Park, a baseball stadium.^[3] The Portland Pilots, a minor league baseball team playing in the New England League as an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, played at what was then known as Portland Stadium from 1946 until the league's dissolution in 1949.^[4]

In 2001, the stadium received a $1.4 million renovation replaced the grass with FieldTurf, gave the track with a rubberized surface, and added rest rooms.

In November 2010, a $950,000 renovation began to replace the bleachers. Modeled after Memorial Stadium at Deering High School, the bleachers hold 3,800 seats on the home side and 2,500 seats on the away side and have a dark blue backing in honor of Portland High School's colors. The Portland High School Bulldogs is the primary tenant. The city of Portland paid for the renovation out of the capital improvement fund.^[5]

Events

Fitzpatrick Stadium is the home field for the Portland Hearts of Pine and Portland High School Bulldogs. The stadium is used for state high school football championships, the City of Portland high schools lacrosse league, Maine Elite Men's Lacrosse League, state high school lacrosse championships, and the Maine Senior Games. The facility has occasionally hosted University of Maine Football games and local and high school soccer and track events. It was home to the Portland Pilots from 1946 to 1949.^[6]

In 1960, Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy spoke at Portland Stadium during his presidential campaign.^[7]

In September 2023, investors known as USL to Portland were awarded a future USL League One team Portland Hearts of Pine.^[8] In November 2023, the Portland City Council approved a lease that will allow the team to begin play at Fitzpatrick Stadium in 2025.^[9]