Georgia Bulldogs
Sanford Stadium

About Sanford Stadium and Georgia Bulldogs Football

Sanford Stadium -- officially Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium -- is the football home of the Georgia Bulldogs on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens. Opened in 1929 and named for university president Steadman Vincent Sanford, the stadium currently seats 92,746 fans, ranking it as one of the largest college football venues in the country. Its most famous feature -- the privet hedges that have surrounded the playing field since the stadium opened -- gave rise to the phrase "Between the Hedges," now one of the most recognizable nicknames in college football.

The Georgia Bulldogs football program is one of the most successful in college football history. The Bulldogs have won four national championships -- 1942, 1980, and back-to-back in 2021 and 2022 under head coach Kirby Smart -- and have claimed multiple SEC titles. Since Smart took over in 2016, Georgia has produced more first-round NFL draft picks than any other school, including stars like Jalen Carter, Travon Walker, Sam Pittman, Brock Bowers, and many others. The program's recruiting consistently ranks at or near number one nationally.

The 2026 home schedule features seven games at Sanford Stadium. Season opens September 5 against Tennessee State, with a tune-up game against Western Kentucky on September 12. The SEC slate kicks off in earnest with the marquee September 26 home game against the Oklahoma Sooners, who joined the SEC in 2024. Vanderbilt follows October 3, then the in-conference rivalry game against Auburn on October 17 -- the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, dating back to 1892. After the bye, the Missouri Tigers visit November 14, and the season closes November 28 with the in-state rivalry game against Georgia Tech, known as Clean Old-Fashioned Hate.

The away schedule is similarly stacked. Georgia visits Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 19, the road game at Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 10 (one of the most-watched games on the entire college football calendar), the annual Florida-Georgia neutral-site game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on October 31, Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 7, and South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 21. With Oklahoma, Auburn, Alabama, and Florida all on the schedule, the 2026 slate ranks among the toughest in college football.

Sanford Stadium itself is one of the most storied venues in American sports. Built into the natural amphitheater of Tanyard Creek, the stadium has expanded several times since 1929, most recently with luxury suite additions, the Reed Plaza renovation, and capacity-related improvements. Notable Sanford Stadium games over the decades include Herschel Walker's 1980 freshman season, the 2007 "Blackout" upset of Auburn, the 2022 Tennessee game that propelled Georgia toward its second straight national title, and countless other moments in SEC football history.

The gameday experience at Sanford Stadium is something every college football fan should experience at least once. From the Dawg Walk before each home game (where players march from the team buses through a sea of fans to the locker room) to the Battle Hymn pre-game ceremony and the legendary "Glory, Glory" fight song, the atmosphere "Between the Hedges" lives up to its reputation. The student section in the south end zone is one of the loudest in the SEC, and the post-game victory bell ringing on North Campus is a generations-old tradition.

For visiting fans, gameday in Athens means tailgating across the campus and downtown areas, with the major lots filling early on Saturday mornings. The North Oconee Greenway, the South Campus Quad, and the area around the Tate Student Center are all popular tailgating spots, plus the lots and lawns immediately around Sanford Stadium. Downtown Athens, just a few blocks from the stadium, offers some of the best pre- and post-game bars and restaurants in college football.

How to Buy Georgia Bulldogs Football Tickets

Where can I buy Sanford Stadium tickets?

Tickets are available through UGA Athletics for season ticket packages and through authorized primary sellers like Ticketmaster for individual game tickets. Verified resale tickets for sold-out and high-demand games are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a 100 percent buyer guarantee on every order.

What is the 2026 Georgia Bulldogs home schedule?

The 2026 Georgia home schedule at Sanford Stadium features seven games: Tennessee State (September 5), Western Kentucky (September 12), Oklahoma (September 26), Vanderbilt (October 3), Auburn (October 17), Missouri (November 14), and Georgia Tech (November 28). Kickoff times are typically announced 12 days before each game by the SEC office.

What should I know about Sanford Stadium?

Sanford Stadium is a 92,746-seat outdoor football stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. The stadium opened in 1929 and is famous for the privet hedges surrounding the playing field (the source of the "Between the Hedges" nickname). It is the football home of the Georgia Bulldogs and has hosted SEC, national championship, and Olympic soccer events over the years.

How do I get to Sanford Stadium?

Sanford Stadium is located on the UGA campus at 100 Sanford Drive in Athens, Georgia. Athens is about 75 miles east of Atlanta and is accessible via Highway 316 or US Route 78. Game day parking on campus typically requires a parking pass, but multiple paid lots are available downtown and around the stadium perimeter. Tailgating starts early in major lots like the North Campus and South Campus areas.

How much do Georgia Bulldogs tickets cost?

Prices vary significantly by opponent, section, and demand. Marquee SEC home games like Oklahoma, Auburn, and Tennessee command premium prices, while non-conference games against Tennessee State and Western Kentucky trend lower. Season ticket packages, single-game tickets, and premium hospitality are all available. Check the listings above for current pricing on BigStub, where verified resale tickets are available with no hidden fees added at checkout.

Are resale tickets from BigStub legitimate?

Yes. BigStub has been a trusted secondary ticket marketplace for more than 20 years and holds the highest Trustpilot rating in the resale industry. Every order is backed by a 100 percent buyer guarantee that protects against fraudulent or undelivered tickets, and there are no hidden service fees added at checkout. If a game is canceled and not rescheduled, customers receive a full refund through the BigStub guarantee program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Georgia Bulldogs 2026 season start?

The Georgia Bulldogs open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 2026 against the Tennessee State Tigers at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The season runs through November 28 with seven home games at Sanford Stadium plus away games at Arkansas, Alabama, Florida (in Atlanta), Ole Miss, and South Carolina.

What are the 2026 home games at Sanford Stadium?

Georgia hosts seven games at Sanford Stadium in 2026: Tennessee State (September 5), Western Kentucky (September 12), Oklahoma (September 26), Vanderbilt (October 3), Auburn (October 17), Missouri (November 14), and Georgia Tech (November 28).

What is the biggest home game on the 2026 schedule?

The September 26 game against Oklahoma is widely considered the marquee home matchup of the 2026 season. The Sooners joined the SEC in 2024 and the game between two championship-caliber programs has quickly become one of the most-watched SEC matchups. Auburn (October 17) and Georgia Tech (November 28) are also high-demand rivalry games.

Where is Sanford Stadium?

Sanford Stadium is located at 100 Sanford Drive on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia. The 92,746-seat stadium is one of the largest college football venues in the country and is the football home of the Georgia Bulldogs.

What does Between the Hedges mean?

Between the Hedges refers to the privet hedges that have surrounded the Sanford Stadium playing field since the stadium opened in 1929. The phrase has become one of the most recognizable nicknames in college football, evoking the intense home-field atmosphere created by the hedge-enclosed field and the 92,000-plus capacity crowd.

Who is Kirby Smart?

Kirby Smart is the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football team. A UGA alumnus and former Bulldogs defensive back, Smart took over the program in 2016 and has led Georgia to two national championships (2021 and 2022), multiple SEC titles, and consistent top-five recruiting classes. Under Smart, Georgia has produced more first-round NFL draft picks than any other school.

How much do Georgia Bulldogs tickets cost?

Prices vary significantly by opponent, section, and demand. Marquee SEC home games like Oklahoma, Auburn, and Tennessee command premium prices, while non-conference games trend lower. Season ticket packages, single-game tickets, and premium hospitality are all available. Check the listings above for current pricing on BigStub, where verified resale tickets are available with no hidden fees added at checkout.

What is the Clean Old-Fashioned Hate game?

Clean Old-Fashioned Hate is the annual rivalry game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, traditionally played in late November. The two in-state Georgia universities have been playing each other since 1893. The 2026 edition is at Sanford Stadium on November 28.

Can I tailgate at Sanford Stadium?

Yes. Tailgating is a major UGA gameday tradition, with major lots filling early on Saturday mornings. Popular spots include the North Campus and South Campus areas, the lots immediately around Sanford Stadium, and downtown Athens areas a few blocks from the stadium. Most lots require a parking pass; check georgiadogs.com for current gameday parking information.

Where is the Florida-Georgia game in 2026?

The annual Florida-Georgia neutral-site rivalry game is played on October 31, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Although Georgia is the designated home team, the game is played in Atlanta rather than Sanford Stadium or Florida's home stadium. The game is one of the oldest and most heated rivalries in SEC football.

Can I get a refund if a game is canceled?

Yes. BigStub's 100 percent buyer guarantee covers refunds for games that are canceled and not rescheduled. If a game is postponed to a new date, your tickets typically remain valid for the rescheduled game. Contact BigStub customer service for help with any specific situation.

What is the Dawg Walk?

The Dawg Walk is a UGA football tradition where the Bulldogs team buses arrive on Lumpkin Street about three hours before kickoff and the players march through a sea of fans on their way to the locker room. The Redcoat Marching Band plays the fight song, fans line the walkway, and players high-five the crowd as they enter the stadium. It is one of the iconic pregame moments in college football.

Are kids allowed at Sanford Stadium?

Yes, Sanford Stadium is all-ages. Children typically need their own ticket above age 2 depending on UGA Athletics policy. Family-friendly sections are available throughout the seating bowl. The atmosphere is intense and loud but appropriate for kids old enough to handle a major-college football crowd.

What is the largest crowd in Sanford Stadium history?

Sanford Stadium has hosted multiple crowds of 92,000-plus since the most recent capacity expansion. The all-time attendance record is approximately 93,000-plus for high-demand SEC games and rivalry matchups.

How early should I arrive at Sanford Stadium?

Plan to arrive at least two to three hours before kickoff for full pregame Athens gameday experience. The Dawg Walk happens about three hours before kickoff, and major lots fill up early on Saturday mornings. Allow extra travel time -- Athens gameday traffic can get extremely heavy, especially for marquee SEC matchups.