University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia to Host James Madison for “Soccer in Sanford” on Aug. 20
May 07, 2026 | Soccer
ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia soccer team is set to host James Madison in a special "Soccer in Sanford" match on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.
The Bulldogs' 2026 home regular season opener against the Dukes will mark the program's first-ever contest between the hedges of the historic football stadium. Admission will be free for all spectators with ticket claims beginning on Thursday, July 30.
"We are excited for this special opportunity to play on one of the most famous fields in American sports," Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine said. "We are grateful for the support of the university and UGA Athletic Association as we celebrate the proud history and tremendous future of soccer in Georgia. The 1996 team's success helped pave the way for the continuous growth of this great game in this region and we are proud to honor their legacy."
"Our challenge to Bulldog fans is to set a new state record for the highest attended college soccer match in Georgia history," J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. "As the sport continues to rise in popularity, this is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to compete in front of passionate soccer fans from across the state. It is also important that we commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team and one of the most significant events in Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium's proud history. We will look forward to a special night of soccer in Sanford."
"Soccer in Sanford" will simultaneously honor the rich history of soccer in Athens and throughout Georgia, while also looking to set new memories. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the United States' women's national team's 2-1 victory over China in the Summer Olympics gold medal match on Aug. 1, 1996, at Sanford. With 76,481 fans, the game set a new international attendance record for a women's sporting event.
Since the 1996 victory, Georgia has become one of the nation's top soccer hotbeds, producing the fourth-most NWSL players of any state and celebrating the opening of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center near Atlanta. This summer, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be one of the most notable FIFA Men's World Cup venues, hosting eight matches, including three in the knockout round.
With this match, the Bulldogs will look to break the NCAA soccer attendance records of 14,410 (women's – set in 1999) and 22,512 (men's – set in 1980). Coach McAlpine helped set the NCAA regular season women's attendance record of 11,925 when his USC squad faced UCLA on Nov. 3, 2017. JMU head coach Joshua Walters, Sr. was also involved in the 2017 match as UCLA's associate head coach.
Further information on the match and ticketing will be released in future weeks, with updates to be posted on GeorgiaDogs.com and on social media at @UGASoccer.
The Bulldogs' 2026 home regular season opener against the Dukes will mark the program's first-ever contest between the hedges of the historic football stadium. Admission will be free for all spectators with ticket claims beginning on Thursday, July 30.
"We are excited for this special opportunity to play on one of the most famous fields in American sports," Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine said. "We are grateful for the support of the university and UGA Athletic Association as we celebrate the proud history and tremendous future of soccer in Georgia. The 1996 team's success helped pave the way for the continuous growth of this great game in this region and we are proud to honor their legacy."
"Our challenge to Bulldog fans is to set a new state record for the highest attended college soccer match in Georgia history," J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. "As the sport continues to rise in popularity, this is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to compete in front of passionate soccer fans from across the state. It is also important that we commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team and one of the most significant events in Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium's proud history. We will look forward to a special night of soccer in Sanford."
"Soccer in Sanford" will simultaneously honor the rich history of soccer in Athens and throughout Georgia, while also looking to set new memories. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the United States' women's national team's 2-1 victory over China in the Summer Olympics gold medal match on Aug. 1, 1996, at Sanford. With 76,481 fans, the game set a new international attendance record for a women's sporting event.
Since the 1996 victory, Georgia has become one of the nation's top soccer hotbeds, producing the fourth-most NWSL players of any state and celebrating the opening of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center near Atlanta. This summer, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be one of the most notable FIFA Men's World Cup venues, hosting eight matches, including three in the knockout round.
With this match, the Bulldogs will look to break the NCAA soccer attendance records of 14,410 (women's – set in 1999) and 22,512 (men's – set in 1980). Coach McAlpine helped set the NCAA regular season women's attendance record of 11,925 when his USC squad faced UCLA on Nov. 3, 2017. JMU head coach Joshua Walters, Sr. was also involved in the 2017 match as UCLA's associate head coach.
Further information on the match and ticketing will be released in future weeks, with updates to be posted on GeorgiaDogs.com and on social media at @UGASoccer.
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