Levi's Stadium Ready For Its Debut; Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Set
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- Four years after voters in Santa Clara approved a measure authorizing construction of a stadium for the San Francisco 49ers – and just over two years after construction began - Levi's Stadium is set for its debut.
49ers executives and Santa Clara officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to officially open the $1.3 billion facility.
Last month, Santa Clara and team officials held a dry run on how workers will redirect vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the stadium and plans to direct drivers to the nearest parking lot with the help of a stadium app were unveiled last week. Caltrain and VTA have already unveiled plans for added trains for Levi's Stadium events.
Levi's Stadium is two weeks away from holding its first sporting event. On August 2, the San Jose Earthquakes will host the Seattle Sounders FC in what will be in effect a soft-launch of the stadium.
The first 49ers game at the new stadium will be a August 17 pre-season game against the reigning AFC champion Denver Broncos.
The 49ers open the 2014 NFL regular season on the road against the Dallas Cowboys and the first regular season game at Levi's Stadium will be September 14 in a nationally-televised Sunday night matchup against the Chicago Bears.
The countdown is also underway for Super Bowl 50, to be held at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016.
Among the other events to be held is the first college football game on October 24, when Cal will host the University of Oregon and WWE's WrestleMania 31 on March 29, 2015.
The Pac-12 Conference will also hold its annual championship game at Levi's Stadium for the next three years, this year to be held on December 5.