Georgia women’s soccer seeks NCAA attendance record at Sanford Stadium
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 10:14 AM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
The University of Georgia women's soccer team opens its home schedule on Thursday, facing James Madison at Sanford Stadium. This event, titled 'Soccer in Sanford,' celebrates the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Women’s National Team winning gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics there. UGA aims to surpass the current NCAA women’s soccer attendance record of 14,410 set during the 1999 national championship. Head coach Keidane McAlpine emphasized the significance of soccer in Georgia as the athletic program seeks to grow its support. Football head coach Kirby Smart is encouraging attendance, stating he and his team will support the women's squad.
- •Georgia women's soccer plays James Madison at Sanford Stadium on Thursday.
- •The event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Olympics.
- •UGA aims to break the NCAA women's soccer attendance record.
- •Current record attendance for women’s soccer is 14,410.
- •Football head coach Kirby Smart will attend to support the women’s team.
- 10:14 AMYahoo Sports — Georgia women’s soccer team sets new NCAA attendance record
- 1:54 AMYahoo Sports — Georgia women's soccer sets NCAA attendance record with 25,433 fans
- 1:29 AMYahoo Sports — Georgia women's soccer team breaks NCAA attendance record with crowd of 25,433
- 3:21 PMESPN — How Georgia turned Sanford Stadium into a potentially record-breaking soccer venue
- 8:01 AMYahoo Sports — Georgia women’s soccer aims to break NCAA attendance record with match at Sanford Stadium
"The University of Georgia women's soccer team broke the NCAA attendance record for men or women with a crowd of 25,433 on Thursday night at Sanford Stadium for a 6-0 victory over James Madison. Honoka Hamano scored twice for Georgia in the “Soccer in Sanford” match honoring the 30th anniversary of the United States women’s gold-medal victory over China in the 1996 Olympics at the iconic 93,033-seat football stadium. The crowd broke the women's mark of 14,410 set in the 1999 NCAA championship between North Carolina and Notre Dame in San Jose, California.
"A record crowd of 25,433 saw No. 25 UGA defeat James Madison, 6-0, at Sanford Stadium on Thursday night. The attendance broke the record for a NCAA women’s or men’s soccer match.
"Georgia will play James Madison for “Soccer in Sanford” to honor the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Women’s National Team winning gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics at the stadium.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 10:14 AMGeorgia women’s soccer team sets new NCAA attendance record
A record crowd of 25,433 saw No. 25 UGA defeat James Madison, 6-0, at Sanford Stadium on Thursday night. The attendance broke the record for a NCAA women’s or men’s soccer match.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 1:54 AMGeorgia women's soccer sets NCAA attendance record with 25,433 fans
The Georgia women's soccer team set an NCAA attendance record with 25,433 fans on hand for their 6-0 victory against James Madison
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 1:29 AMGeorgia women's soccer team breaks NCAA attendance record with crowd of 25,433
The University of Georgia women's soccer team broke the NCAA attendance record for men or women with a crowd of 25,433 on Thursday night at Sanford Stadium for a 6-0 victory over James Madison. Honoka Hamano scored twice for Georgia in the “Soccer in Sanford” match honoring the 30th anniversary of the United States women’s gold-medal victory over China in the 1996 Olympics at the iconic 93,033-seat football stadium. The crowd broke the women's mark of 14,410 set in the 1999 NCAA championship between North Carolina and Notre Dame in San Jose, California.
- ESPNAug 20, 2026, 3:21 PMHow Georgia turned Sanford Stadium into a potentially record-breaking soccer venue
The venerable 93,033-seat venue will host Georgia's women's soccer squad Thursday as the Bulldogs take on James Madison with NCAA attendance records in reach.
- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 8:01 AMGeorgia women’s soccer aims to break NCAA attendance record with match at Sanford Stadium
Georgia will play James Madison for “Soccer in Sanford” to honor the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Women’s National Team winning gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics at the stadium.
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