Bobby Dodd Stadium

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Lore & Background

Bobby Dodd Stadium, formerly known as Grant Field, is the oldest continuously used on-campus site for college football in the Southern United States, and one of the oldest in the FBS. Football has been played at the current site since 1905. In 1913, permanent grandstands were built for the first time, mostly by Tech students. It was originally named for Hugh Inman Grant, son of John W. Grant, a well-known Atlanta merchant and original benefactor of the stadium. From 1913 to 1919, the stadium grew from a capacity of 7,000 to one of 25,000. The stadium bears little resemblance to its original form, having been expanded many times. The original facility, roughly corresponding to the lower level of the current stadium's west grandstands, seated 5,600. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech at the stadium. By 1925, the east and south stands were completed, making the stadium a 30,000-seat horseshoe with an open north end. The west stands were rebuilt and a large press box was added in 1947, bringing capacity up to 44,000. The original all-steel 4,105-seat North stands were erected in 1958, and in 1962 and 1968 the upper decks were added to the East and West sides, respectively, bringing capacity to its all-time high of 58,121. Following this, Grant Field hosted the inaugural Peach Bowl in 1968, and would serve as its venue from 1968 to 1970. Grant Field was used as a site for an Atlanta Falcons game on October 5, 1969. Grant Field also served as the home field for the Atlanta Apollos of the North American Soccer League for their 1973 season. In August 1984, the stadium hosted the annual Drum Corps International World Championships. In 1985 the South stands were razed to make room for the William C. Wardlaw Center, reducing the stadium's capacity to 46,000. In 1988, the stadium was renamed in honor of Bobby Dodd. The lighting was replaced in 1998. In 2001, the stadium served as the home venue for the Atlanta Beat of the Women's United Soccer Association in their inaugural season. After the 2001 season, a major expansion and renovation project was started. For the 2002 season, seating was returned to the South end, and the original North stands and lower east bleachers were rebuilt and bowled in. After the 2002 season, a massive free standing upper deck was added in the north end zone, bringing Bobby Dodd Stadium to its current capacity. The new sta

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere within Bobby Dodd during the 2017 season was shaped by its unique geography. The terrain slopes upward from north to south, a natural grade that leaves much of the field below street level. This configuration, combined with the steep stands built over the slope in 1958 and subsequent decades, created an enclosed environment where sound reverberated intensely. While the source details historic college football moments like the 222-0 victory over Cumberland College in 1916 or the famous "$125,000 tackle" against Alabama in 1952, the stadium's role for Atlanta United was defined by its capacity to host a new professional soccer team amidst these historic walls. The venue had previously accommodated other non-college sports, such as serving as the home field for the Atlanta Apollos of the North American Soccer League in 1973 and hosting the Atlanta Beat of the Women's United Soccer Association in their inaugural 2001 season. These precedents demonstrated the stadium's versatility beyond gridiron football, providing a functional and atmospheric temporary home for Atlanta United as they awaited their permanent headquarters.

Reader's Guide

The stadium is located on the east side of the Georgia Tech campus, across from freshman housing facilities and just a short walk from the campus library and fraternity/sorority row. The facility is in Midtown Atlanta, just off Interstate 75/85 (the "Downtown Connector"), across from the famed Varsity restaurant. North Avenue station, located on the Red and Gold lines of the MARTA subway system, is a short walk to the east of Bobby Dodd Stadium along North Avenue.

Did You Know?

• The stadium's original name was Grant Field, named for Hugh Inman Grant, son of Atlanta merchant John W. Grant.
• The most lopsided game in American football history wa