S.B. Ballard Stadium

The stadium is at 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, between Hampton Boulevard and Bluestone Avenue on ODU's north campus. Hampton Boulevard is the principal approach from downtown Norfolk, Ghent and Naval Station Norfolk; 49th Street borders the south side of the stadium but is subject to game-day controls.

Driving & Parking

• From I-64 and points north or east
  Use I-564 or the appropriate Norfolk connector toward Hampton Boulevard, then follow event signs toward ODU. Naval-base traffic can make Hampton Boulevard slow even before football volume arrives.
• From downtown Norfolk or I-264
  Reach Hampton Boulevard through Brambleton Avenue or the Midtown Tunnel corridor. Avoid cutting across small Larchmont streets; temporary closures and officer-controlled intersections can invalidate a normal navigation-app route.
• General parking
  ODU's 2025–26 transportation rules designate the 43rd & Bluestone Garage, Constant Center 43rd Street Garage and Constant Center 45th Street Garage for general football parking. Athletics has also promoted parking at the Chartway Arena garages and public lots as included for ticket holders; check the current game page for any opponent-specific change.
• Reserved parking
  Lots and garages closer to the stadium require the matching football credential. Download a mobile parking pass before leaving home and use the color-coded route on the current parking map.
• Accessible parking
  The first level of the Red Garage, at 49th Street and Bluestone Avenue, is the primary football ADA location. The garage sits immediately southwest of the stadium; use Bluestone Avenue when 49th Street is closed.
• Timing
  Public lots and Kaufman Mall normally open four hours before kickoff. An early arrival avoids the most congested Hampton Boulevard period and gives enough time to cross campus before the Monarch March.

Public Transit

• HRT Route 4
  Hampton Roads Transit's Route 4 connects the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center with ODU and serves the campus end near 49th Street and Quarantine Road. It is the most direct regional-transit option for visitors staying downtown.
• HRT Route 2
  Route 2 also links downtown, the medical district and Old Dominion before continuing toward the Navy Exchange area. Check the live HRT schedule because Saturday frequency is less forgiving than weekday service.
• The Tide connection
  Norfolk light rail does not reach the stadium. Riders can take The Tide to downtown and transfer at the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center; budget the transfer rather than treating light rail as door-to-door service.
• Campus transportation
  ODU's internal shuttles primarily serve the university community and should not be assumed to replace public game transportation. Visitors should plan around HRT or the walk from their parking garage.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Choose a campus-edge pin
  Use a legal curb near the Chartway Arena/Monarch Way area, then walk north through campus. A pin directly at the stadium can lead a driver into a closed segment of 49th Street.
• Avoid Hampton Boulevard at peak time
  Bluestone Avenue, Powhatan Avenue and the arena district can be more practical handoff areas than the stadium's busy east frontage, provided the driver obeys temporary signs.
• Postgame strategy
  Walk south toward 43rd or 45th Street before requesting a car. ODU can adjust access by opponent, so use any designated location on that day's map.

Kaufman Mall is the visitor-friendly heart of an ODU Saturday. The four-acre lawn stretches beside Webb University Center between 47th and 49th streets, close enough to combine a public festival, team arrival and a short walk to the gates. Surrounding reserved lots provide the more traditional grills-and-canopies scene.

Tailgating

• Kaufman Mall
  The university lawn opens with the parking lots, typically four hours before kickoff. Expect music, sponsor activations, food options, family activities and a crowd gathering along the Monarch March route.
• Reserved lots
  Permit holders tailgate in assigned surface lots around the stadium and campus. Keep the setup within the allocated footprint and preserve drive aisles, sidewalks and emergency access.
• Chartway garages
  Treat the garages as parking, not tailgate grounds. Grilling and conventional canopy setups belong in authorized outdoor areas, not inside a structure.
• Four-hour window
  The standard public opening is four hours before kickoff. Night games create a fuller afternoon scene; early games compress breakfast, band and team-arrival activities.
• Pack before entry
  Secure grills, coolers and valuables before walking to the stadium. There is no reentry, so anything needed after the final scan must already be inside a compliant clear bag.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Cogan's Pizza North
  At 4311 Colley Avenue, this ODU-area favorite combines creative pizza, a large draft list, pool tables and rooftop seating. It is roughly a mile from the stadium and gets busy before evening kickoffs.
• The Dirty Buffalo
  The ODU-alumni-owned wing restaurant at 4012 Colley Avenue specializes in Buffalo-style wings, subs and “Dirty Plates.” It works well for a casual meal before walking or taking a short ride north.
• Craft on Colley
  Set back from Colley Avenue near Cogan's, Craft serves burgers, seafood, brunch and cocktails with a large covered outdoor area. Its patio is useful for groups, but allow time for table service.
• Bakehouse at Elation
  Elation Brewing's Larchmont taproom pairs house beer with wood-fired pizza from Bakehouse. It is north of campus and better as a planned stop than a last-minute stadium walk-in.

• Monarch March
  Roughly two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, players and coaches travel from Webb Center across Kaufman Mall toward S.B. Ballard Stadium. Stand along the path early; the band and fans narrow the route quickly.
• Monarch Marching Band
  The band performs on Kaufman Mall before leading energy toward the stadium, then supplies the fight song and in-game cues. Its mall performance normally begins shortly before the team walk.
• Big Blue
  ODU's crowned lion mascot circulates through the pregame festival and stadium. The seven-foot bronze Big Blue inside Webb Center offers a separate campus photo tradition when the building is accessible.
• “Ice Cream and Cake”
  The playful dance-and-song routine is a recognizable ODU crowd ritual across university sports. Watch the students and band when the cue arrives and join the simple movements.
• Monarch entrance
  The compact seating bowl, video presentation and band form a loud runout onto Kornblau Field. Be inside at least 20 minutes early; general gates typically open 90 minutes before kickoff.

• Historic arches
  The 2019 reconstruction preserved the arched vocabulary and brick pattern associated with 1936 Foreman Field. The east entrance facing Williamsburg Lawn is the clearest place to appreciate the old-and-new blend.
• Kornblau Field
  Barry Kornblau's name identifies the AstroTurf playing surface inside S.B. Ballard Stadium. Strong navy end-zone graphics and close sideline stands make it visually compact.
• Atlantic Bay Football Complex
  The retained south-end building contains football support spaces and premium suites and forms the backdrop to the team entrance.
• TowneBank video board
  The south-end display, accompanied by three ribbon boards, anchors replays and game presentation. The north end offers a direct view of it.

History & Notable Moments

• Foreman Field opens (1936)
  The Works Progress Administration-era venue was dedicated on October 3 and served Norfolk-area football long before ODU had its modern program.
• Football returns (2009)
  Old Dominion restarted varsity football and immediately filled the old Foreman Field configuration, setting the demand that eventually drove reconstruction.
• Virginia Tech upset (2018)
  In the final season before demolition, ODU stunned No. 13 Virginia Tech 49–35—still the defining victory of the original bowl.
• One-offseason rebuild (2019)
  ODU demolished the east and west stands after the 2018 season and opened the $67.5 million Populous/Moseley-designed replacement on August 31, 2019.
• New-stadium debut (2019)
  A sellout watched the Monarchs defeat Norfolk State 24–21 in the first game at the rebuilt venue.
• Virginia Tech sequel (2022)
  ODU beat the Hokies 20–17 after a late fumble recovery and touchdown, giving the new building its first signature upset.
• Attendance record (2024)
  The Virginia Tech game drew 22,208, exceeding the permanent 21,944-seat capacity through event inventory and standing-room use.

The new east and west sideline stands contain the bulk of the inventory, the Atlantic Bay complex and suites close the south end and a lower north section sits beneath the main video sightline. The rebuilt decks provide improved legroom and back support compared with old Foreman Field.

• West sideline
  The home side includes the press box and premium inventory. Midfield seats deliver the best conventional sightlines and receive different sun exposure than the east stand.
• Priority Automotive Club
  This 388-person west-side club places outdoor seats near midfield beside an indoor hospitality room with an inclusive buffet and bar service structured by the ticket package.
• Suites and loge areas
  West-side suites and south-end premium spaces provide controlled access, hospitality and elevated or end-zone views. The correct credential is required at the dedicated entry.
• East sideline
  These seats face the press box and put visitors close to the arched east entrance and dedicated east concessions. Afternoon sun can be direct.
• Student area
  ODU created a dedicated student entrance, concession zone and pregame space. Expect sustained standing and the strongest participation in chants and dances.
• Accessible locations
  Wheelchair and companion seating is distributed in E101, E105, E106, W114, W117, N121, N122, E205–E208, W211, W212 and W217, plus premium areas. Arrange inventory before game day.

ARAMARK operates cashless concessions behind both the east and west stands. Credit and debit cards are the dependable payment method; buy before halftime when the compact building sends much of the crowd to the same concourse window.

• Main concession stands
  Permanent counters on both sidelines carry standard stadium staples such as hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, candy and soft drinks. Selection can differ by side.
• Beer and alcoholic beverages
  Adult beverages are sold at designated stadium locations. Identification and sales cutoffs apply, and outside alcohol is prohibited.
• Water planning
  Outside bottles and mugs are prohibited under the published stadium rules. Buy water after entry and use first-half lines on hot early-season dates.
• Monarch Shops
  Two merchandise locations operate inside the stadium, with additional game-day sales on Kaufman Mall. The campus Barnes & Noble at 43rd Street and Monarch Way is another pregame option.

• Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags may not exceed 12 by 6 by 12 inches.
• A one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag is an approved alternative.
• One small non-clear purse, clutch or wallet may not exceed 4.5 by 6.5 inches.
• Medically necessary items receive an exception after inspection. Contact ODU in advance when an accommodation involves equipment or supplies beyond the standard allowance.
• Backpacks, large purses, computer and camera bags, coolers and other noncompliant bags are prohibited.
• Outside food and beverages, glass or aluminum containers, bottles, mugs, umbrellas, weapons, fireworks, inflatables, balls, Frisbees and stadium seats are prohibited.
• Cowbells, horns, whistles, drums and megaphones are prohibited; ODU permits certain distributed or soft promotional noisemakers such as thundersticks and fan clappers.
• Gates generally open 90 minutes before kickoff, except designated premium access that may open earlier. The stadium is smoke-free and does not allow reentry.