Protective Stadium lights up Birmingham with new sign [Photos]

Protective Stadium, Birmingham
An exciting drone light show—the first of its kind in Alabama—was the cherry on top of the night’s events. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

On Tuesday, September 14th, Governor Kay Ivey, Mayor Randall Woodfin and other officials gathered in Birmingham’s Uptown District to celebrate the inaugural lighting of Protective Stadium‘s new sign. The new stadium, which will host the Opening & Closing Ceremonies for The World Games 2022, will officially open on October 2nd when the UAB Blazers take on Liberty University.

Keep reading to learn more.

Spot the new Protective Life sign in Uptown

Protective Stadium, Birmingham
Plenty of photo ops with Vulcan and friends! Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

Late Tuesday evening, hundreds of Birminghamians gathered at Protective Stadium’s South Gate to witness the official lighting of the stadium’s new sign, which prominently features Protective Life’s brand-new logo.

Among the event’s speakers were Governor Kay Ivey, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Protective Life CEO Rich Bielen, UAB President Ray Watts and BJCC Executive Director and CEO Tad Snider. The speakers represented the public/private partnership that made Protective Stadium a reality.

The $200M multi-purpose stadium will soon be the new home for the UAB Blazers. In fact, the Blazers kick off this season with their opener against Liberty University on October 2nd.

Great News for The World Games 2022

Protective Stadium, Birmingham
Mayor Randall Woodfin speaks at the lighting of the sign at Protective Stadium. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

The lighting of the sign at Protective Stadium is a great sign for The World Games 2022. The brand-new stadium is set to host both The World Games Opening Ceremony on July 7th (presented by Alabama Power) and the Closing Ceremony (presented by Coca-Cola Bottling United, Inc.) on July 17th, 2022.

Nick Sellers, the CEO of The World Games 2022, had this to say:

“In less than 300 days, Protective Stadium will be home to the Opening Ceremony for The World Games 2022. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for thousands of fans, the 3,600 competing athletes, the city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama. That’s why the entire World Games family is elated to see the new stadium signage, because we know it moves us another step closer to welcoming the world to this state-of-the-art facility in 2022.”

Nick Sellers, CEO, The World Games 2022

Don’t Miss the Upcoming Events at Protective Stadium

Protective Stadium, Birmingham
The drone light show ended with Protective Life’s brand-new logo. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

You don’t want to miss the inaugural game at Protective Stadium, when the UAB Blazers take on Liberty University on October 2nd. Click here to learn more.

Can’t wait to see The World Games 2022 kick off at Protective Stadium? Tickets can be purchased online for all events.

Did you see the lighting of the sign at Protective Stadium? Tag us @bhamnow with your best pics!

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer

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