Inside Levi's® Stadium Santa Clara's home of entertainment
From Super Bowl spectacles to Taylor Swift concerts, Levi's® Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, has redefined what a modern sports venue can be. As one of the most innovative and technologically advanced venues in the NFL today, it was the first venue in the U.S. to receive two LEED certifications. Since opening a decade ago, our 25 elevators and 38 escalators have kept fans moving effortlessly throughout the grounds, ensuring an exceptional experience for all.
On any given Sunday, thousands of fans descend on Levi's® Stadium to watch the San Francisco 49ers play. The atmosphere is electric—with music, fireworks, and the chants of the crowd creating an amazing sporting extravaganza. Fans come for the action on the field, but the venue’s ability to host such spectacles effortlessly is equally impressive. The stadium itself is a marvel of engineering, primed for high-octane events.
The 68,500-seat stadium was built to be "the premiere outdoor destination for sports and entertainment on the West Coast." In 2016, it hosted Super Bowl 50, but the stadium has also welcomed concerts by the Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift, as well as events such as WrestleMania and Monster Jam.
Engineering the ultimate fan mobility experience
"We’ve worked with the stadium since the days of its construction," says Nick Reggiardo, our Service Superintendent for the San Francisco Bay Area. Our team installed 38 Schindler 9300 escalators, 25 Schindler 400A elevators, and six hydraulic elevators throughout the stadium—and has maintained and serviced them all ever since.
Situated in Santa Clara, CA, roughly 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, the stadium was designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience—all the way from the city to your seat in the stands. The venue is close to convenient transportation links, with excellent access by both road and rail.
"Our team installed 22 outdoor escalators that lead up to the stadium to ensure everyone can get inside comfortably," says Nick. "They're outdoors, but they do have a cover over them in case it rains."
It’s not just the sheer number of units we installed that makes the flow of people and services around the venue so efficient ... They're really an intrinsic part of the stadium's design.
On gamedays, the flow of people throughout the stadium is critical. Our elevators and escalators ensure everyone, including people with disabilities or limited mobility, can easily move around and access all the facilities. Additionally, our units also play a crucial role in servicing the venue’s bars, restaurants, and luxury suites.
"It’s not just the sheer number of units we installed that makes the flow of people and services around the venue so efficient," explains Nick. "It’s also the strategically planned layout and thought that was put into where they needed to be. They’re really an intrinsic part of the stadium’s design."
An innovative, sustainable stadium
It’s this level of planning that helped the stadium become the first venue of its type to be recognized twice for achieving the industry standard for sustainable design and construction. When it opened in 2014, Levi’s® Stadium was awarded with LEED Certification for New Construction. Two years later, it received the LEED Gold Certification for Operations and Maintenance of an Existing Building.
"Our units are specifically designed to be as energy efficient as possible," explains Nick. "This really helps when projects are aiming for LEED certification as our machinery and technology tick all the necessary boxes."
The stadium is also on the cutting-edge of sustainable design, featuring a "green roof" and solar panels. With 1,162 solar photovoltaic panels, the stadium generates more electricity annually than is consumed during the 10 scheduled 49ers games each season.
A proud partnership with Schindler
"The stadium really is an exceptional venue, it’s an amazing place to visit even when there’s no event on," says Geoffrey Hussey, our General Manager for San Francisco. "But on gameday, it really takes things to another level, it’s a fantastic experience and we’re proud to be part of that."
To keep everything running smoothly, we have two technicians on-site at every event hosted at Levi’s® Stadium. "It’s rare that we have an issue during a concert or on an event day, but we’re always there in case something needs our attention," says David Welch, our main Service Technician at Levi's® Stadium. Along with his team, David tests and checks every elevator, escalator, and wheelchair lift prior to each event. "Keeping all the units in good condition is the key to a stress-free event day," says David.
In one of the service tunnels, building management has set up a 30-foot tall "Contractor's Hall of Fame" wall displaying hardhats from every company involved in the construction. "It's a great visual reminder of how many teams it took to build this venue," David says.
Sitting right in the center is the Schindler hardhat that David signed after construction, when he was part of the crew hoisting escalators and building elevators.
"As a 49ers fan, it makes me proud to now service the very units I helped install," he adds with a smile.