Open Thread: Crane Stadium Seat

Last Updated on August 25, 2023

This post is an open thread and contains affiliate links.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated for May of 2023. Also note that Aldi sold a revamped Crane Premium Stadium Seat with a different design in August of 2023. 

Almost two decades ago, on October 12, 2002, I attended my first Division I football game. A friend of a friend had season tickets for the University of Illinois, and I was invited to come along. On that sunny afternoon in Champaign, the Fighting Illini squared off against Purdue in a Big Ten matchup, and it would be one of the most thrilling sports matchups I’d ever seen in person. Illinois raced to a 24-0 lead, only to blow it, giving up 31 unanswered points. Down 31-24, Illinois rallied in front of an electric home crowd to score the game-tying touchdown with just 7 seconds left in regulation, sending the game into overtime. After a back in forth in OT, Illinois would score a winning touchdown, sending everyone in the stands into a frenzy. Illinois would end the season with a losing record, but on that day none of that mattered.

I spent that afternoon amidst the bleachers of Memorial Stadium. They weren’t particularly comfortable, although the game was crazy enough that we did a lot more standing than sitting. Still, I decided down the road that I’d keep a seat cushion in my car for similar situations in the future.

You might not think of Aldi as a place to get a stadium seat. But Aldi does sometimes sell one.

What We Know:

The Crane Stadium Seat (Product Code: 42520) is an Aldi Find. That means it’s only around for a brief time, and once it sells out, it’s gone, at least until Aldi decides to bring it back, if ever. Aldi also does not offer online ordering for products that aren’t in stock at your local store.

The seat retailed for $14.99 in July 2023 and in May of 2022. While you can find some seats around that price, most run a lot more.

According to Aldi, the seat’s features include:

  • Folding stadium seat with backrest
  • Angle of backrest can be adjusted as desired
  • Includes practical carry handle
  • Water-resistant surface on the underside
  • Steel frame
  • Seat made from durable polyester
  • Dimensions when folded: 15.6″ x 16.5″ x 4 “
  • Dimensions when open (at 90° angle): 15.6″ x 12.2″ x 17″
  • Available in Black, Red, or Blue

What We Don’t Know:

We haven’t tested out this specific seat, so we don’t know how easily it sets up, how comfortable it is, or how long it lasts. We’ve created this open thread for users to share their experiences.


Do you have experience with this seat? Let us know in the comments.

About Joshua

Joshua is the Co-founder of Aldi Reviewer. He is also a writer and novelist. You can learn more about him at joshuaajohnston.com.

6 Comments

  1. Just bought 2 Crane stadium seats for Fall High School football games and High school band competitions. The side straps that are used to adjust the angle of the back part have to be threaded thru the adjuster before using the first time. No instructions but I figured it out by looking at the picture on the label. It’s hard to get it threaded and I used some locking surgical forceps to get it done. But once threaded, it won’t come unthreaded easily and still slides/adjusts easily. Also on a side note, the chair can hold up to 300lbs per the label in case anyone needs that information.

  2. I bought 3 one in each color, luckily I didn’t have the same issue as the previous reviewer. I was able to thread them through with no issue. These seats are lightweight, easy to set up, and very comfortable. the shoulder strap makes it easy to carry around and it doesn’t take up much space. I recently mounted one to my sit-on-top kayak and I love it

  3. Small, uncomfortable, and seat back doesn’t adjust, contrary to description (unless you count adjusting it to a less than 90 degree angle). I’m taking mine back.

  4. Just bought 2 of these seats for upcoming games. They seem well built, but time will tell. I am confused about the thick strap with a clip under the seat. I cannot find any information concerning this strap. If anyone has info please share.

  5. unclip and let it hang over the bench front and back then reclip it and pull on strap to tighten it up that will hold the seat to the bench so it doesn’t move or fall off!

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