---
title: Ravens’ Practice at SECU Stadium Draws Over 20K Fans
date: 2026-08-03T12:43:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/ravens-practice-at-secu-stadium-draws-over-20k-fans"
section: Articles
---
# Ravens’ Practice at SECU Stadium Draws Over 20K Fans

*August 3, 2026* — by [Maryland Athletics Staff](/author/maryland-athletics-staff)


> First-of-its-kind event on UMD campus celebrates football across the state

*The Baltimore Ravens hold their first ever open training camp at UMD in SECU Stadium on August 1, 2026.

Photo by John T. Consoli/University of Maryland — Baltimore Ravens players warm up on the end zone of SECU Stadium on Saturday at the team’s first practice on campus. (Photo by John T. Consoli)*

<span>On Saturday afternoon, the home of Maryland football belonged to the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL team’s first-ever practice at SECU Stadium united current Terps, Maryland legends, Ravens stars and 20,185 football fans.</span>

<span>For first-year Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, practicing in the boisterous stadium offered valuable preparation before Baltimore opens preseason play. More importantly, it demonstrated the reach of the Ravens throughout the state.</span>

<span>"I think we have the best fan base in the world," Minter said. "For us to be able to take the show on the road and still have all these people show up, it's cool. For the young players especially, it's the closest thing we can do to simulate what it's going to be like a couple of weeks from now when we're in a preseason game."</span>


*Ravens player Octavian Smith holds out a hand while smiling — Ravens rookie receiver Octavian Smith Jr. (Photo by Maryland Athletics)*


**Sidebar note:**

See more photos at [umterps.com](https://umterps.com/news/2026/8/1/football-ravens-terps-strengthen-maryland-bond-before-20-185-fans-at-historic-secu-stadium-practice).



Saturday's training-camp practice marked the Ravens' inaugural fan engagement event in Prince George's County, expanding the franchise's footprint while strengthening its relationship with communities throughout Maryland.

UMD head football coach Michael Locksley said the festivities reinforced a relationship that continues to produce NFL talent.

"\[Being\] the flagship university of the state of Maryland, it's our job to promote the game of football," he said on Friday. "Who else better to promote the game than to bring our state's team, the Ravens, down to the DMV area? To be able to bring this product down, the best product in the state, is a great thing for all of us."

Former Maryland stars Torrey Smith and Jermaine Lewis received thunderous ovations from the crowd as they returned to SECU Stadium, reminders of the proud football tradition that has connected generations of Terrapins fans.

Baltimore native Derik Queen, the former Maryland basketball standout now with the New Orleans Pelicans, also made the trip. His presence illustrated how the Ravens have become a unifying force across Maryland athletics


*The Baltimore Ravens hold their first ever open training camp at UMD in SECU Stadium on August 1, 2026.

Photo by Dylan Singleton/University of Maryland — Terps quarterback Malik Washington, left, swaps jerseys with Ravens superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)*




**Topics:** [Athletics](https://today.umd.edu/tags/athletics)


**Tags:** [Football](https://today.umd.edu/topic/football)


**Units:** [Department of Intercollegiate Athletics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/department-intercollegiate-athletics)