Shaded Seating at Levi’s Stadium

What You Need to Know About Shade at Levi’s Stadium

 

Levi’s Stadium is the high-tech home of the San Francisco 49ers, located in Santa Clara, California. Opened in 2014, it replaced the historic Candlestick Park and quickly became known for its sustainable design, featuring a massive green roof on the suite tower and over 1,000 solar panels.

The stadium serves as a major hub for the Bay Area, hosting everything from the Super Bowl and College Football Playoffs to international soccer and world-tour concerts.

Unlike the foggy, windy climate of its predecessor, the Santa Clara location is known for being significantly warmer and sunnier. The stadium’s design is asymmetrical, with the vast majority of luxury suites stacked in a singular tower on the west side. While this provides a unique look and premium amenities, it also creates a stark divide in the fan experience during daytime events, as the stadium lacks a traditional canopy or roof to protect the general seating bowl.

How Shade Moves During the Day

The stadium is oriented northwest-to-southeast. For a standard 1:00 PM kickoff, the sun is high in the sky over the south end zone. As the game progresses, the sun moves behind the massive suite tower on the west side. This means that for fans on the west sideline (the 49ers’ side), the sun is at their backs and the tower blocks the direct rays. The shadow begins at the back of the 100 and 200 levels and slowly moves toward the field.

Meanwhile, the east sideline (the visitor side) acts as a giant mirror, reflecting the sun’s heat off the empty concrete and into the faces of the fans.

Stick to the 49ers Side

Because there is no roof, your only defense against the sun is the height of the west-side tower:

• Sideline Sections 132 – 144 and 232 – 246: This is the “safe zone.” By sitting here, you are physically blocked from the sun by the suite tower. The mezzanine level (200s) on this side is particularly good as it stays in the shade almost from kickoff to the final whistle.

Keep in mind, the west side is the only side that can be guaranteed to be blocked by the sun. End zones and the east side offer very little relief. The south end zone sections 122-134 or 226-231 has the sun at the back of your head so it makes it a bit more bearable.

Late Afternoon and Evening Games: Tracking the Sunset

For 4:05 PM or 5:20 PM kickoffs, the heat becomes less of a factor, but the “blindness” factor increases. As the sun sets in the west-northwest, it sits lower in the sky and shines directly underneath any potential overhangs onto the east sideline and north end zone

If you are sitting on the visitor side during a late afternoon game, the glare off the field and the glass of the suite tower can be intense.

To avoid staring into the sun during the crucial fourth quarter, stay on the west sideline. By late afternoon, the entire west side and much of the field are in a deep, cool shadow. If you must sit on the east side for a late game, bring a quality hat and polarized sunglasses, as you will be facing the sunset for at least two quarters of play.