Step Inside: Sanford Stadium – Home of the Georgia Bulldogs

Home of the Georgia Bulldogs

Glory, glory to old Georgia’s Sanford Stadium, home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team. Located on the university’s Central Campus and neighboring downtown Athens, Sanford Stadium easily becomes the center of the Classic City on game day. Look between the hedges and learn more about the Dawgs’ house at Sanford Stadium below.

Sanford Stadium History

Sanford Stadium opened with a victory on October 12, 1929 against Yale. The venue had been a goal of its namesake, Dr. Steadman Vincent Sanford, who aimed to surpass rival Georgia Tech’s home stadium and personally led its fundraising effort. The stadium was built directly into the hillsides of the diverted Tanyard Branch creek, adding a stark touch of nature to the football atmosphere while providing natural slopes for the grandstands to expand in the future.

Major renovations occurred in 1949, 1967 and 1981, with the stadium reaching full wraparound seating by 1991. In 2004, Sanford became the fifth-largest collegiate stadium in the U.S. following the addition of a north side deck and premium SkySuites. The longtime bermuda grass playing surface was named Dooley Field in 2019 to honor former coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. Ahead of the 2024 season, Georgia completed a two-year enhancement project that added more premium and accessible seating, a new press box and an expanded southern concourse.

Sanford Stadium’s most distinguishing feature is the line of privet hedges encircling Dooley Field, which inspired the Bulldogs’ motto of playing “between the hedges.” Two hours ahead of a home game, players and fans take part in the Dawg Walk processional to the main entrance, while fans are first graced with a solo rendition of the “Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation” by a member of the school’s Redcoat Band. More recently, kickoff is also preceded by The Who’s “Baba O’Riley.” Listen for traditional cheers like “Calling the Dawgs,” “Spell Georgia” and the “Glory, Glory” rally song, as well as “Krypton Fanfare” by the Redcoat Band ahead of the fourth quarter. Just don’t expect students to stick around long after a victory, as it’s customary to race to North Campus to ring the Chapel Bell.

Outside of college football, Sanford Stadium staged soccer matches during the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. In order to accommodate a regulation soccer field, the iconic hedges were removed, though the university had prepared by cultivating transplants from the original hedges three years prior. Ultimately, the U.S. women’s team and Nigerian men’s team claimed respective gold medals at Sanford Stadium.

Parking and Admission at Sanford Stadium

Sanford Stadium is located on Sanford Drive in Athens, Georgia. Parking on campus can be reserved for single games or the full season via ParkMobile. Both options are first-come, first-served and cash is not accepted onsite. Season ticket parking can be accessed at the Carlton Street Deck, East Campus Deck and Health/Visitors Center. The locations of single-game, accessible and RV parking vary by availability, though overflow parking will be directed to the Intramural Fields on College Station Road. Additional, unreserved accessible parking can be found at the East Campus Parking Deck, which includes a free shuttle to Gate 6. The price for parking at Sanford Stadium begins at approximately $30 with day-of entry starting at 7:00 a.m.

Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. For seamless admission, follow Sanford Stadium rules that prohibit items such as artificial noisemakers, weapons, laser pointers, umbrellas, strollers and carseats, cameras with removable lenses, food and drink containers and ice bags. Pets other than service animals will not be granted access inside. Find the complete policy list for Sanford Stadium on the venue’s visitor page.

The bag policy at Sanford Stadium sticks to the SEC’s 12-1-1 rule, which allows clear bags under 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or one clear 1-gallon plastic storage bag for one guest each. Exceptions are made for medically required items, non-clear clutch purses smaller than 4.5” x 6.5” and seat cushions without arms or pockets smaller than 16”.

Sanford Stadium Capacity & Seating Options

As of 2004, the seating capacity at Sanford Stadium taps out at 92,746. The venue ranks as the ninth largest in college football, as well as in all of North America.

Seating is primarily bleacher-style throughout the stadium, with the student section occupying Sections 109 to 114, 138 to 144 and 307 to 313. Premium seating can be found at the SkyClub, South and North Club, Champions Club, East Lower and Upper Club and as of 2024, 50 Yard Line Club. For further VIP experiences at Sanford Stadium, claim a spot in The Lounge, SkyClub, SkySuites or Rob & Cindy Scott Field Club and Suites. View the venue’s seating layout here.

Food & Beverage Options at Sanford Stadium

Sanford Stadium serves plenty of football fans’ favorites, including burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and candy. Specialty cuisines include multiple Chick-fil-A and Papa Johns counters, as well as Chicken Salad Chick in Sections 122 and 325 and the local Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q in Section 106. Starting in the 2024 season, Sanford Stadium will begin selling beer and seltzers during the first three quarters. Food and beverages can also be purchased at multiple grab-and-go stations. All transactions onsite are cashless.