During the offseason, Sanford Stadium underwent extensive renovations that increased the iconic stadium’s listed capacity from 92,746 to 93,033. The stadium is still the sixth-largest in the SEC and ninth-largest nationally, but when the Bulldogs host Tennessee Tech on Sept. 7, even more fans will be able to watch the nation’s best team continue its run to its third national championship in four years.
The school’s current attendance record dates back to 2019, when 93,246 fans crowded into Sanford to watch Jake Fromm and D’Andre Swift lead the Dawgs to a 23-17 victory over No. 7 Notre Dame.
That record could be broken this year, possibly on October 5 at Homecoming against Auburn. Georgia’s three biggest games of the season against Texas, Ole Miss and Alabama are all on the road.
Georgia has a very young secondary after the departures of Tykee Smith, Javon Bullard and Kamari Lassiter. So young that two five-star defensive backs could be on the field frequently for Kirby Smart’s defense. Ellis Robinson IV will likely be a backup cornerback for the Dawgs this season, with plenty of playing time, but KJ Bolden could take on an even bigger role.
ESPN’s Tom Luginbill recently named Bolden a preseason freshman All-American on a team that also included five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. At cornerback, Luginbill chose Maryland’s Braydon Lee and Alabama’s Zabien Brown instead of Robinson.
Luginbill compared Bolden to Malaki Starks, Georgia’s junior star safety, who he will likely play alongside Dan Jackson if he wins the position.
Sanford Stadium, with its recently expanded capacity and newly replaced hedges, was not the only sports facility in Athens to undergo some upgrades.
Georgia Baseball’s Foley Field completed the second part of its multi-year renovation this summer, including a new pitching lab, hitting tunnels and improved coaches’ offices.
Georgia Softball’s athletic facility adjacent to Jack Turner Field has been renovated, benefiting several programs. The new weight room will serve softball, soccer, golf and equestrian. The same facility along the stadium’s third base line will also house a softball player lounge, offices and locker rooms.
At the beginning of the year, the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Tennis Facility as well as the men’s and women’s tennis halls were extensively modernized so that the organization can now host the NCAA Championships.
