Sanford Stadium at the University of Georgia has long stood as one of college football’s most iconic venues. Since opening in 1929 with just 30,000 seats, the stadium has expanded through numerous renovations to its current capacity of 92,746, making it the 9th-largest NCAA stadium and the 17th-largest stadium in the world.
Its latest transformation came through a multi-phase project aimed at improving accessibility, enhancing fan experience, and creating modern amenities — all while preserving the timeless character of the original structure.
Precision Concrete Construction, Inc. partnered with Turner Construction Company, HOK, and Walter P. Moore to bring these improvements to life, delivering innovative concrete solutions under tight timelines dictated by the college football season.
Phase 1: Widening Corridors and Improving Access
Phase 1 of the south side improvements was completed in 2023, just in time for the kickoff of the Bulldogs’ football season. A key focus was easing congestion along the 100-level corridor, where pedestrian flow had long been restricted to just nine feet. By demolishing a CMU wall and reconfiguring restrooms and concessions, the walkway was expanded to 21 feet, dramatically improving circulation for fans on game day.
The team also installed cast-in-place walls and multiple elevated slabs at different elevations. These additions created new plazas, restroom facilities, and TV truck parking areas, as well as improved wheelchair-accessible seating. Achieving these upgrades required innovative approaches, such as designing shoring systems to span over existing shotcrete walls and dealing with steep grades sloping toward a creek beneath the stadium.
Despite the challenges, Precision Concrete poured 4,000 cubic yards of concrete and placed over 500 tons of reinforcing steel in this phase, completing the project on schedule. The work earned the 2024 ACI of Georgia Award for excellence in concrete construction.
Phase 2: Club Spaces, Media Facilities, and Modern Amenities
With the Bulldogs finishing their 2023 regular season on the road, crews were able to mobilize early for Phase 2 of the project. This phase built on the foundations established in Phase 1 and introduced new features that brought Sanford Stadium into a modern era of fan amenities.
Three elevated, conventionally reinforced slabs were installed to support three new levels of structural steel framing. Among these improvements was the creation of a high-end donor “club” at midfield above level 200. This exclusive space offers large contributors to the football program private bathrooms, televisions, and heating elements for an elevated game-day experience.
The project also expanded media facilities, extended suites along the south bowl, and provided space for additional corridors and concessions. During construction, UGA made the decision to begin selling beer at football games. To accommodate this change, the team quickly adapted the design by adding topping slabs, a CMU wall foundation, and reinforced support for concession-area coolers.
In total, Phase 2 required 3,500 cubic yards of concrete and 173 tons of rebar, as well as 12,000 square feet of elevated cast-in-place slabs and 14,000 square feet of slabs on metal deck. This work earned the 2025 ACI of Georgia Award, marking back-to-back recognition for the Precision Concrete team’s craftsmanship.
Preserving History While Building for the Future
One of the defining challenges of the Sanford Stadium improvements was maintaining the character of the nearly century-old venue. Each decision balanced modern needs — such as ADA accessibility, expanded restrooms, and luxury donor amenities — with a respect for the stadium’s heritage.
Working in an active facility with a history of renovations spanning nine decades, Precision Concrete also had to navigate countless unforeseen conditions. By leveraging the versatility of concrete, the team adapted quickly without compromising schedule or quality.
A Game-Changing Result
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Turner Construction Company, HOK, Walter P. Moore, Argos Ready Mix, and Precision Concrete Construction, Sanford Stadium is now better equipped to welcome more than 90,000 fans on fall Saturdays. Wider concourses, enhanced restrooms, improved accessibility, expanded suites, and new donor spaces all contribute to a more enjoyable and modern game-day experience.
Most importantly, the improvements demonstrate the adaptability of concrete in complex, fast-tracked projects. From challenging site conditions to last-minute program changes, concrete proved to be the material that made it all possible — ensuring that Sanford Stadium remains both historic and state-of-the-art for years to come.
