LOOK: Sanford Stadium renovations ready to go for 2023 season

ATHENS, Ga. — Sanford Stadium underwent some changes this offseason as part of a $300 million capital campaign project. Home to the Georgia Bulldogs for almost 100 years, it’s a two-phase project ongoing with the first set to be complete by the start of the season in two weeks.

The improvements begin on the stadium’s exterior – at least what used to be the exterior – with the Sanford Drive bridge becoming part of the stadium on game days. The area will be blocked off starting the night before the game by Gates 1 and 9, now on the bridge, but will open back up shortly after the stadium has been cleared after the game’s completion.

In doing so, ticket lanes are more than double their previous amount, and a new Gate 9 plaza includes additional concessions and restroom areas for both men and women. Vendors and concessions are also expected to be set up on the bridge.

Fans who previously used the bridge as a pathway from North Campus to South Campus or vice versa are now encouraged to use Lumpkin Street or East Campus Road to avoid congestion created by the Dawg Walk beside the Tate Student Center.

Inside the stadium, the 100 level concourse on the South Side has been expanded by a sizable amount. By more than doubling the area for fan traffic through the stadium, Georgia hopes to improve the fan experience.

Other changes include improved ADA seating, a one of a kind sensory room and a new row 62 to honor legendary Georgia Bulldog Charley Trippi, who passed away last year at the age of 100. His No. 62 is already retired after helping lead Georgia to its first National Championship in 1942.

Phase 2 of the improvement plan will begin after the Bulldogs complete their regular season in November and will be completed by the start of the 2024 football season. With Georgia’s final two regular season games on the road, construction can begin a little bit sooner than expected.

The second phase includes a new press box and renovation of the existing press area to be transformed into the new 50-yard line club. In addition, six premium sky suites will be available starting in 2024 in the southwest corner of the stadium underneath the new press box.

“Yeah, as you look at any project, you focus on efficiencies, right? You want to be first class in everything you do, but as you talk about any and all of the facilities we’re talking about, the challenge is finding efficiencies, and that’s why we’re deliberate about the process of getting that advance, locking in costs in advance as you can because of there’s a natural escalation, which has impacted — I’ve talked to ADs across the country. It’s impacting projects everywhere,” Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks told media members when the renovation plans were approved in May of 2022. “But thankfully we’ve had phenomenal support from our donor base that’s allowed us to keep raising money and to do projects like the indoor tennis facility, which is fully funded. But, at the same time, like you said, you’ve got to focus on efficiencies. We will always want to be first class in everything we do for our student-athletes or coaching staff but finding where we can be efficient and not be wasteful and respectful with what money we raise.”

The $300 million capital campaign, of which $68.5 million was going toward Sanford Stadium, also includes renovations to the likes of Foley Field, Jack Turner Softball Stadium, the Magill Tennis Complex and various other facilities used for athletics by the Bulldogs. At Georgia’s May 2023 athletics association board of directors meeting, over a third of the money had already been raised. On top of that, Georgia Athletics also set a new record in FY23 for fundraising, topping their previous mark by more than $10 million from FY22.