Allen E. Paulson Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

There is no metro, no light rail, no Amtrak. Statesboro is a drive-or-fly-and-drive-from-there kind of town. The closest major airport is Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), which is 52 miles from the center of Statesboro. The average Uber ride from SAV to Statesboro takes about 54 minutes. Rent a car at SAV — you'll need it for the weekend, and it'll cost you less than surge-pricing a rideshare both ways on game day.

From SAV, take I-16 West to US-301 North into Statesboro — it's a straight shot. From Atlanta, it's about 3 hours via I-16 East. The stadium sits at 207 Lanier Drive on the southern edge of campus. Rideshare works in town, but Statesboro's driver pool is thin. Schedule your pickup window ahead of time and don't count on flagging one post-game without a wait.

Georgia Southern runs campus shuttle routes on game day: the Blue Route from Russell Union to Paulson Stadium, the Gold Route from the Performing Arts Center (PAC), and the Green Route (new in 2025) from the RAC. If you're staying near campus, these shuttles are genuinely useful and free. They run back after the game too — useful to know.

Driving: Fans tend to be slow making their way out from the tailgating lots after games, so parking lots adjacent to the stadium can take 30–45 minutes to fully drain. Lanier Drive is the main artery — traffic backs up on both ends. Your fastest exit is actually to wait 20 minutes after the final whistle inside the stadium (grab that last beer, watch the postgame), then walk to your car and move into traffic once the main rush clears. If you parked off-campus near Russell Union, you'll be in better shape — US-301 clears faster than the campus interior.

Shuttle/Transit: The campus shuttle routes reverse post-game. Expect 15–25 minute waits at the pickup points near the stadium immediately after the final whistle. The Blue Route runs back to Russell Union, Gold Route to the PAC, and Green Route to the RAC. If you're on foot near the Blue Route pickup, wait it out rather than walking — the lots around Russell Union are a solid 25-minute walk.

Rideshare: This is a small-town rideshare market. Post-game surge is real and supply is thin. Walk at least four to five blocks toward the Blue Mile on S. Main Street — you'll get a faster pickup and a lower surge rate than if you're requesting from directly outside the stadium gates. Wait 20–30 minutes post-game before opening the app; the initial surge spike drops as the crowd disperses.

Best tip: If you parked at Russell Union, wait in the stadium until about 15 minutes post-game, walk to the shuttle, and you'll beat most of the lot-exit gridlock entirely.

Paulson Stadium has limited parking, but lots further from the stadium do provide shuttle service from the Russell Union, which has free parking. That's your best move as a visitor: park at the Russell Union for free, take the Blue Route shuttle in, skip the chaos. It's not glamorous, but it works.

The Gold Lot at Paulson Stadium is a primary game day lot , along with the Gold Lot ADA. These fill fast and are heavily permit-controlled — reserved largely for Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation donors. Free public parking is available off-campus at locations like the Russell Union, with shuttle services running to the stadium. Paid parking near the stadium is limited and goes quickly, so reserving a spot early is highly recommended. Expect $20–$40 for any non-free lot within walking distance, though availability for non-permit holders is genuinely scarce. Don't show up an hour before kickoff expecting to find something close — show up two hours early or use the shuttle system.

There are no boutique hotels within walking distance of the stadium — this is a college town, not a resort destination. Your options cluster in two useful zones:

Near campus on US-301/Northside Drive is where you'll find the Hampton Inn Statesboro, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn Statesboro-University Area, and SpringHill Suites by Marriott. These are standard-issue extended-stay and business hotels, but they're five to ten minutes by car from Paulson and most run $120–$180 a night on a normal home weekend, spiking significantly for rivalry games. Book months out for big matchups.

Downtown Statesboro's Blue Mile corridor — the stretch of South Main Street leading toward Georgia Southern — is the most walkable zone for pre- and post-game activity, and a few smaller properties sit near enough to it to be convenient. The stadium itself is on the south end of campus, about a 15-minute walk from the heart of the Blue Mile. Savannah is close enough to be part of a weekend visit to Statesboro — some visitors prefer to stay there and drive in, which adds cost and complexity but gets you into a genuinely great city. Not a bad call if the game isn't the entire trip.

Eagle Creek Brewing Company (106 Savannah Ave.) is the local craft brewery and the most obvious destination for traveling fans who want a pint and something decent to eat. It's an American-style brewery serving traditional fare, open until 1am Thursday through Saturday. Gets crowded on game day — arrive early.

Gnats Landing (470 S. Main St.) is the classic Statesboro bar-and-grill. It's a staple in Statesboro offering food in a lively atmosphere, originally catering to Georgia Southern students before quickly growing into a beloved local hotspot. It hosts weekly events like trivia, karaoke, and live music. If you want to mix with the locals and get a real read on the town's temperature toward visitors, come here.

Dolan's BBQ (239 S. Main St.) is exactly what you'd hope it to be — Mary Beth Brown and her sister opened it in nearby Millen and moved it to Statesboro in 2021; Mary Beth is the pitmaster with a slogan of "We smoke while you sleep." Get there for lunch before the game; it's closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly.

Azul Tex-Mex (408 S. Main St.) is worth knowing for two reasons: when the Eagles win, they offer 15% off your order — valid up to 48 hours after game day. Their partnership with the stadium's in-game Hangout activation makes them the official good-vibes restaurant of game day Statesboro. If the Eagles lose, they're still a solid spot for a margarita and a debrief.

While the surrounding area offers plenty of options, the stadium itself also provides a solid selection of food and drink.

Soft drinks come from the Coca-Cola line, while alcoholic beverages are limited to beer, premixed cocktails, and seltzers — including Budweiser family beers, Creature Comforts Tropicalia, and the Georgia Southern-branded "Hail Southern" lite beer from Fire Maker Brewing Company. A draft beer trailer serves $4 drafts during Happy Hour from gate open until kickoff — get there early and save real money. Concessions include standard stadium fare like hot dogs and nachos, but you'll also find local vendors offering BBQ and boiled peanuts — the latter being a deeply correct South Georgia stadium snack. Alcohol sales cut off at the end of the third quarter.

Georgia Southern implemented a clear bag policy for all ticketed sporting events. It was designed for safety and to speed up entry when 25,000 fans are trying to get in. For regular-season games, clear bags are required. Small hand-held clutches of 4.5" x 6.5" or smaller are permitted alongside a clear bag. Leave the backpack in the car.

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff , and Georgia Southern runs a new pregame activation inside the stadium. Fans can enter through Gates 8 or 12 in the west end (Bishop Field House) or Gate 5 (ADA near the Cowart Building) or Gate 6 (behind the press box). As an away fan, the visitor side is on the north — head for Gate 5 or 6 side if you want to be nearer your section. All transactions inside the stadium are cashless , so leave the twenties in your wallet.

New in 2025, "The Hangout at Paulson" is a pregame destination inside the stadium featuring cornhole, ax-throwing, face painting, a mobile video game trailer, and more. It's genuinely a nice touch — worth arriving early enough to use it.

The stadium is wheelchair accessible, with restrooms and first-aid stations clearly marked throughout. ADA parking is available in the dedicated Gold Lot ADA adjacent to the stadium, which is closer to the gates than standard lots. Gate 5 near the Cowart Building serves as the ADA-accessible entrance.

The stands run the length of the field but are just 20 rows deep on each side, which limits vertical access demands. The concourse is ground-level on both sides, making navigation manageable for fans with mobility needs. Assistive listening devices are available through guest services — contact Georgia Southern Athletics in advance to arrange equipment. The stadium does not have a fixed dome or covered seating, so weather accommodation planning is important for fans with sensory sensitivities.

Students fill nearly the entirety of the field level seating that runs from end zone to end zone behind the visitor side of the field. This is worth knowing before you buy. The visitor side (north side) lower bowl will have Georgia Southern students immediately behind you — that's not a typo. If you're a visiting fan expecting a quiet buffer zone, adjust expectations.

The stands run the length of the field but are just 20 rows deep on each side , so there's honestly no bad sightline in the house — the bowl is intimate enough that midfield upper rows still feel close to the action. The mid-deck sections, added during the 2013–2014 expansion, sit directly above the lower bowl and offer good angles with slightly more distance from the student section noise. For away fans, the upper portions of Sections 100–115 (north/visitor side) give you the best view-to-comfort ratio. Avoid the very bottom rows on the visitor side unless you enjoy having 5,000 students directly in your ear.

Away fans will find their experience at Paulson Stadium notably different, with designated sections and a lively home crowd surrounding them.

The stadium is known as "Our House," reflecting an extreme home field advantage — and that advantage consistently ranks in the top five of all FBS programs, a phenomenon known as "The Power of Paulson." That reputation is earned, not invented by a marketing team. The crowd is loud in a way that a 25,000-seat stadium shouldn't be able to be; the sunken bowl design traps noise, the student section never sits, and night games add another dynamic — the LED lighting allows facility lights to be turned off while fans light up the seating bowl with their phone flashlights, bobbing to in-house music. If you're visiting at night, that moment is actually pretty cool even as an opponent. The fan base is passionate but not classless — you'll get plenty of noise directed your way, but genuine hostility is rare. What they will do is never let you forget you're in their house.

Is there public transit to Allen E. Paulson Stadium? There's no metro or light rail in Statesboro. Georgia Southern operates game day campus shuttles on three routes: the Blue Route from Russell Union, the Gold Route from the Performing Arts Center, and the Green Route from the RAC. These are the most practical non-car options.

What is the bag policy at Allen E. Paulson Stadium?

A clear bag policy is in effect for all ticketed sporting events. Small hand-held clutches of 4.5" x 6.5" or smaller are also permitted. Clear totes, clear gallon bags, and small clutches are your best options.

What does parking cost near Paulson Stadium?

Free public parking is available off-campus at locations like the Russell Union, with shuttles running to the stadium. Paid lots closer to the stadium run $20–$40 and are heavily reserved by permit holders. Free + shuttle is the practical visitor choice.

What time do gates open at Allen E. Paulson Stadium?

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Arrive at least 90 minutes early to use The Hangout pregame area and beat the security line.

Is Allen E. Paulson Stadium cashless?

All transactions inside the stadium are cashless. Bring a card or set up mobile pay before you arrive — there are no cash registers.

Where is the best seating for away fans? The mid-deck sections on the north (visitor) side offer the best balance of sightlines and distance from the student section. Students fill the field-level seating behind the visitor side, so avoid the very bottom rows if crowd noise directly behind you is an issue.

What's the nearest major airport?

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is the closest major airport, located 52 miles from Statesboro. It takes approximately 59 minutes to drive from SAV to Georgia Southern. A rental car is strongly recommended.

When was Allen E. Paulson Stadium built and what surface does it play on?

Paulson Stadium was dedicated on September 29, 1984. The original grass surface was replaced with turf after the 2015 season, LED lights were installed in 2020, and the turf was replaced again in 2023.