If you’re trying to figure out how many people Scott Stadium holds before you buy tickets, plan a tailgate, or just win a trivia argument, the short version is 61,500. That makes it one of the largest stadiums in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the undisputed home of University of Virginia Cavaliers football since 1931.
But capacity is only the start of the story. Scott Stadium has grown from a 22,000-seat bowl into a modern 61,500-seat venue set against the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it comes with its own set of rules on bags, parking, tailgating and where to sit. This guide covers both: the numbers fans search for and the practical details you need for a smooth gameday in Charlottesville.
Quick Answer: How Many People Does Scott Stadium Hold?
Scott Stadium’s current capacity is 61,500, making it the home field of the Virginia Cavaliers (NCAA, ACC) in Charlottesville, Virginia. The stadium opened in 1931 with roughly 22,000 seats and reached its present size after a major 2000 renovation added upper decks and additional seating bowls.
Scott Stadium Capacity and Seating History
Scott Stadium opened on October 15, 1931, replacing the Cavaliers’ earlier campus grounds. It’s named for Frederic William Scott, a donor and university rector, and it began life as a 22,000-seat venue — modest by today’s standards but typical for the era.
The stadium’s growth happened in stages. A 1981 upgrade added upper-deck seating, and the biggest change came with a 2000 renovation that expanded the bowl, added luxury suites and wider concourses, and pushed capacity to its current 61,500. The attendance record of roughly 64,947 was set on August 30, 2008, when USC visited for a nationally televised season opener — a crowd that exceeded the stadium’s listed capacity with standing-room additions.
The field itself carries its own name, David A. Harrison III Field, and a natural-grass surface dedicated in 1995. In 2024, the stadium unveiled the Ramon W. Breeden Jr. Videoboard, a 6,700-square-foot screen more than twice the size of the one it replaced. Beyond football, Scott Stadium has hosted NCAA lacrosse championships (including the 2026 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship) and concerts by touring acts such as U2 and the Rolling Stones, plus the 2017 Concert for Charlottesville.
Planning Your Visit to Scott Stadium
Tickets for Virginia Cavaliers home games are sold through UVATix.com and the Virginia Sports app, with season ticket and premium access tied to Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) giving levels — roughly a Sabre-Cavalier Club tier for general-admission parking and seating perks, and a Coaches Club tier for reserved parking and premium seating. Single-game prices and exact gate times shift from season to season, so always confirm current details on the official Virginia Cavaliers football gameday guide and the official Scott Stadium page before you go.
As a general pattern, gates open about 1.5 hours before kickoff, all tickets are mobile-only, and the stadium is cashless — plan to have a phone wallet and a card ready rather than cash.
Scott Stadium Bag Policy
Virginia Athletics uses a clear-bag policy. Permitted bags are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″; clear one-gallon plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar); and small clutches or wallets no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, with or without a strap.
Everything else — backpacks, purses, coolers, briefcases, fanny packs, cinch bags, diaper bags, luggage, camera bags and computer bags over the size limit — is prohibited. So are artificial noisemakers, balls, Frisbees, lacrosse sticks, glass containers, outside food and drink, strollers (except umbrella strollers), umbrellas, folding chairs and drones. Medically necessary bags are allowed at any gate after a secondary search, though diaper bags don’t qualify for that exception. Blankets can be carried outside a bag, and seat cushions without pockets or zippers are fine.
Entry runs through walk-through metal detectors at every gate; fans who can’t use them can request a hand-held wand check, and you can generally keep your phone, keys and wallet in your pockets. Re-entry isn’t allowed except after an emergency evacuation, so plan bathroom and concession runs accordingly.
Parking and Tailgating at Scott Stadium
Free parking is available at Fontaine Research Park, North Grounds and the lots around John Paul Jones Arena, with free shuttles running fans to the stadium’s east and west gates. Paid garage options near campus — Central Grounds Garage, Hospital South Garage and Culbreth Garage — typically run in the $25–$30 range per game, though you should check current pricing on the official site. VAF members get access to additional lots tied to their giving level, from general-admission spaces at the Sabre-Cavalier Club tier up to reserved, numbered spots for Coaches Club members.
A notable change for 2026: all VAF lot parking passes are now digital, issued through UVATix.com and the Virginia Sports app and scanned by an attendant at the lot entrance — screenshots aren’t accepted, so have the pass loaded and ready.
Tailgating is permitted, including propane grills, but charcoal grills are banned and no grilling of any kind is allowed in or on the parking garages. Keep your setup within your vehicle’s footprint so the lot’s traffic lane stays clear. If you’d rather not haul your own gear, REVELxp runs full-service tailgates with tents, catering and setup/cleanup at Observatory Hill.
Getting There: Gates, Shuttles and Entry Tips
Gates open about 1.5 hours before kickoff, and all tickets are mobile — download yours before you leave the house, since cell service around a packed stadium can be unreliable. Free shuttle routes (color-coded Red, Purple and Blue) connect the free parking lots to the stadium’s east and west gates before kickoff and reverse the trip afterward; all shuttles are wheelchair accessible with low floors and ramps.
If you’re walking in from Central Grounds or a paid garage, build in extra time — Scott Stadium sits on a hillside campus, and foot traffic backs up near kickoff. Arriving right at gate-open time rather than 20 minutes before the game avoids the worst of the bottleneck at security.
Best Seats and Where Fans Sit
Scott Stadium’s priority sideline sections, roughly between the 20-yard lines on the lower level, are generally considered the best seats for sightlines and are tied to the highest VAF giving tiers. If you want a view of both the game and the Blue Ridge backdrop the stadium is known for, the front rows of the upper deck give you elevation without losing the mountain scenery behind the north end zone.
UVA’s student sections sit on the east side of the stadium, spanning lower-level sections 101–105 and upper-level sections 501–503 (with 504–506 used as overflow for big games). Beyond the seating bowl, the grass hillside behind the north end zone — known simply as the Hill — is a standing-room option that’s popular with students and casual fans who want a looser, cheaper atmosphere.
Concessions, Alcohol and Accessibility
Scott Stadium is fully cashless; concessions, team shops and ticket windows accept cards only. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed in. Beer and other alcohol are sold to fans 21 and older, capped at two drinks per transaction, and outside alcohol is prohibited.
For accessibility, wheelchair seating is located in designated rows at the top of the lower bowl and the bottom of the upper bowl, and the primary ADA parking area is Level 1 of the Fontaine Parking Garage, with additional accessible spots at the JPJ South Lot and the lower level of The Park. All gameday shuttles are wheelchair accessible. For ADA ticket questions or advance seating requests, the Virginia Athletics Foundation can be reached at 434.982.5555 or vafweb@virginia.edu.
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Scott Stadium capacity FAQs
How many people does Scott Stadium hold?
Scott Stadium’s official capacity is 61,500, making it one of the larger stadiums in the ACC.
What is the UVA football stadium capacity?
The University of Virginia’s football stadium, Scott Stadium, seats 61,500 fans.
How many seats are in the UVA football stadium?
Scott Stadium has 61,500 seats across its lower bowl, upper deck and suite levels, plus standing-room space on the grass hill behind the north end zone.
Where do the Virginia Cavaliers play their home games?
The Virginia Cavaliers play home football games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia, their home field since 1931.
What is Scott Stadium’s attendance record?
The stadium’s recorded attendance high is about 64,947, set on August 30, 2008, for a season-opening game against USC.
What bags are allowed at Scott Stadium?
Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, clear one-gallon freezer bags, and small clutches or wallets up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ are permitted; backpacks, purses and coolers are not.
Where should I park for a Scott Stadium game?
Free lots and shuttles are available at Fontaine Research Park, North Grounds and around John Paul Jones Arena; paid garages near campus and VAF member lots are also options, with 2026 passes issued digitally.
Can I tailgate at Scott Stadium?
Yes, tailgating with propane grills is allowed in the surrounding lots, but charcoal grills and any grilling inside parking garages are prohibited.
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