Hayward Field, on the south edge of the University of Oregon campus, is one of the most storied venues in athletics — a stadium that has hosted seven US Olympic Trials and four NCAA championships and is where Steve Prefontaine made his career. The 2020 rebuild produced a striking timber-canopied stadium without losing the intimacy that gives Hayward its reputation.
It is worth a visit even outside meet days. The plaza is open to the public; the Bowerman Building, on the north side, houses a small free museum on the history of Oregon track and field, with displays on Prefontaine, Mary Decker, and Bill Bowerman's waffle-soled prototypes. During meets — the Prefontaine Classic in early summer is the headline event — tickets sell out fast.