About Applejack

Applejack Stadium, constructed in 2005, is owned and operated by the Town of Manchester. It is widely regarded as the best natural grass playing surface in Vermont. The Stadium includes game-quality field lighting for night games.

The Stadium takes advantage of the historic grandstand, which was part of the horse racing track and built in 1887. The grandstand can seat up to 500 spectators and features a spectacular view of the Green Mountains. In 2020 the historic grandstand was renovated through a partnership with The Right Track Foundation. The renovations included the installation of 138 stadium seats, four ADA accessible seating spaces, and removal of half of the support columns in the front of the grandstand to open up the view of the field. The renovation of the Stadium also included the installation of 19 VIP seats on the east side of the Stadium behind the player benches.

In the fall the Stadium hosts Burr and Burton Academy football and soccer, and other local high school and middle schools; and in the spring Applejack hosts Burr and Burton lacrosse games. In the summer and fall Applejack Stadium also hosts NCAA college soccer games. Teams include the University of Vermont, Castleton University, Boston College, Boston University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, UMass Amherst, The University at Albany, and NESCAC rivals Middlebury College and the 2017 and 2018 NCAA Division III women’s national champions Williams College.

In 2020, Applejack Stadium inked an agreement with the professional soccer club Black Rock FC, who plays in the the USL League Two, to relocate the team to Manchester. Games are expected to start in June of 2021.

Applejack Stadium also includes two large electronic scoreboard (donated by the Union Underground restaurant and Manchester Rotary Club). In 2011 the Town added a two-story announcing booth. The announcing booth includes a powerful public address system (amplified, wired and wireless microphones), and three workstations for coaches, scorekeepers, the media, photographers and videographers. The Stadium also features food and beverage concessions. Concessions are available for most games. The playing field can accommodate uses up to 125 yards long and 80 yards wide. The nearby Park House provides bathroom facilities for the Stadium.