Salem Football Stadium is a 7,157 seat municipal stadium that opened for business in August of 1985 after a rapid construction process, and it is part of the James E. Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex, along with the Salem Civic Center and Salem Memorial Ballpark. The stadium was completed just eight months after its approval was granted and a mere five months after grading on the property began. The city used a bond to pay for the $2.2 million facility that was constructed primarily for the city's successful high school football program that has won several Virginia High School League State Championships. Salem Stadium was the home of the NCAA Division III Football Championship for 25 years. The stadium is set up to accommodate both players and fans, including field lights, an expanded press box, synthetic Field Turf, and handrails throughout the bleachers.