Ranking the 10 biggest college football stadiums by seating capacity
By Dante Pryor
10. Sanford Stadium – Home of the Georgia Bulldogs – 92,747
There are few places more beautiful than “Between the Hedges” at Sanford Stadium. With a capacity of well over 90,000, it is the tenth-largest stadium in college football and one of the 20 largest outdoor venues in the world. Opened in 1929, it’s current size is due to numerous renovations and expansions that began in 1940 and continues today.
One of the many things that make watching and playing at Sanford is the ambiance surrounding the stadium. From the west endzone of the field, one can see both Georgia’s campus and the rolling hills. Sanford Stadium has been touted as one of the most beautiful, intimidating places in the country to play.
Playing at Sanford is known as playing “between the hedges.” The iconic hedges were planted when the stadium was first built in 1929.
The first of its many expansions happened because their stadium could not hold enough people when they played rival Georgia Tech. It was alleged that the Yellowjackets watered their field all night to slow the Bulldogs’ running backs.
The Bulldogs have had seven 10-plus game home winning streaks since Sanford Stadium was built their longest streak was from 1980-1983 when they won 24 home games in a row.
Here are some of the notable games played at Sanford:
- Oct. 12, 1929, versus Yale: Sanford Stadium’s first game. The Bulldogs upset the heavily favored Yale Bulldogs 15-0.
- Oct. 25, 1940, versus Kentucky: The Bulldogs and the Wildcats tie in the first night game at Sanford.
- Nov. 10, 2007, versus No. 20 Auburn: First-ever blackout game. The Bulldogs surprised fans with black jerseys for the first time.