It is a weird feeling standing at the corner of Hank Aaron Drive and Pollard Blvd. If you close your eyes, you can almost hear the crack of a bat or the roar of 85,000 people screaming for an Olympic sprinter. But then you open them, and you’re looking at blue and white banners for the Panthers.
Center Parc Stadium is easily one of the most confusing, storied, and oddly charming spots in college football.
Most folks still call it "The Ted" or "Turner Field." Honestly, that's fair. It served as the home of the Atlanta Braves for two decades. But if you’re heading there for a Saturday afternoon kickoff in 2026, you aren’t going to a baseball game. You’re visiting the georgia state football stadium, a venue that has survived three separate identities and somehow keeps getting better with age.
The Olympic Identity Crisis
Let’s get the history out of the way because it explains why the seating looks so "off" on TV. This place didn't start as a football field. It didn't even start as a baseball stadium.
It was the Centennial Olympic Stadium back in 1996.
Back then, it held over 85,000 people. Once the Olympics packed up, they literally chopped the north end off to make it a baseball park. Then, when the Braves skipped town for the suburbs in 2017, Georgia State University stepped in. They didn't just buy a stadium; they bought a piece of Atlanta’s soul.
📖 Related: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
They spent roughly $26 million on the first phase of the conversion. It’s a lot of cash, but peanuts compared to building a new 22,000-seat stadium from scratch in downtown Atlanta.
What the Fan Experience is Actually Like
If you’ve never been, the first thing you’ll notice is the "ghost" of the outfield. The stadium is oriented in a way that feels vast. Because it was built for MLB crowds of 50,000, the 25,000-seat capacity for Panthers games means you have a ton of breathing room.
- The View: You’re sitting in seats that were literally designed to watch Greg Maddux pitch. The sightlines are actually pretty great for football, especially in the lower bowl.
- The State House Grill: Remember the old Chop House? It’s the State House Grill now. You can grab food and watch the game from the deck, which is a vibe you just don't get at most Sun Belt stadiums.
- The University Club: Formerly the 755 Club, this is where the premium experience lives. It’s climate-controlled, which, if you’ve ever sat through a Georgia afternoon in September, you know is a literal lifesaver.
The attendance records are actually surprising for a younger program. The home opener back in 2017 against Tennessee State drew a sellout crowd of 24,333. Even lately, games against rivals like Appalachian State or Georgia Southern regularly see the stands packed with blue.
The "Hallowed Ground" of Summerhill
One thing people get wrong is thinking the stadium is the only thing happening here.
Right now, as we sit in 2026, the area around the georgia state football stadium is unrecognizable from the sea of asphalt it used to be. The "Blue Lot"—where fans have tailgated for generations—is being transformed.
👉 See also: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
Specifically, they’re finally finishing the new $15.4 million baseball complex on the exact footprint of the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. This is where Hank Aaron hit 715. GSU is moving his statue to the new ballpark entrance, but the football stadium remains the anchor of this whole "Athletics Neighborhood" vision.
Why it Matters for the Sun Belt
Georgia State isn't just playing around. Having a stadium with this kind of infrastructure gives them a massive recruiting edge. When a 17-year-old recruit walks into a locker room that covers 7,500 square feet—one that used to house Major League stars—it makes an impression.
The turf is FieldTurf, and the video board is still a behemoth. It was once the largest HD screen in the world. While it's been surpassed by the fancy new NFL venues, it still dwarfs almost everything else in the Sun Belt Conference.
Dealing with the Quirks
Look, it's not perfect.
The upper deck is basically a no-man's land unless a huge game is in town. It stays covered most of the time to keep the atmosphere "tight" around the field. If you’re a visitor, parking can be a bit of a headache if you don't plan ahead. You're basically navigating the heart of Atlanta.
✨ Don't miss: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
But there’s a grit to it.
The stadium represents a school that refused to stay a "commuter college." By planting their flag at 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Georgia State told the world they were a major player.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
If you're planning a trip to see the Panthers, don't just wing it.
- Park in the Green Lot: It’s the classic spot. If you want the real tailgate experience with the GSU faithful, this is where you want to be. Just be aware that the new baseball construction has eaten into some of the old surface spots.
- Check out the 1913 Promenade: This is the entry plaza. It’s where the pre-game energy is highest and where you’ll find the best merch.
- Download the GSU Athletics App: They’ve gone almost entirely digital for tickets and concessions. Don't be the person stuck at the gate trying to find a signal to download your QR code.
- Walk Summerhill: Before or after the game, walk down Georgia Avenue. The neighborhood has exploded with local restaurants like Wood’s Chapel BBQ and Junior’s Pizza. It’s part of the game day experience now.
The georgia state football stadium is more than just a place where four quarters of football happen. It’s a recycled, repurposed, and revitalized piece of Atlanta history. Whether you call it Center Parc, Turner Field, or just "the place by the highway," it’s become one of the most unique environments in college sports.