War Memorial Stadium, nestled inside Little Rock’s scenic War Memorial Park, opened on September 18, 1948, as a $1.2 million tribute to Arkansans who gave their lives in the two World Wars. Designed by architect Bruce R. Anderson in an Art Deco style and formally dedicated by Medal of Honor recipient Maurice Britt, the stadium seated an original 31,075 fans before expansions eventually brought capacity to 54,120.
For 78 seasons, War Memorial Stadium served as the secondary home of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football program, drawing some of the largest crowds in Arkansas sports history, before the Razorbacks’ contract with the venue concluded after the 2025 season. Listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places since 1998, the stadium remains one of the state’s most storied athletic venues — and, with the Hogs gone, it’s now reinventing itself as a multi-purpose home for concerts, soccer, and community events.
Quick Answer
War Memorial Stadium is a 54,120-seat stadium owned by the State of Arkansas, located at 1 Stadium Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas, and built in 1948 as a memorial to the state’s World War I and World War II dead. It was the longtime part-time home of Arkansas Razorbacks football (through the 2025 season) and today hosts concerts, high school football, and other community events.
Stadium at a Glance
Location: War Memorial Park, 1 Stadium Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. Opened: September 18, 1948. Capacity: 54,120 (following the 2010 renovation), up from an original 31,075. Construction cost: $1.2 million (1947). Playing surface: FieldTurf, branded AT&T Field since a 2010 naming-rights agreement. Historic designation: Arkansas Register of Historic Places (1998). Record attendance: 55,914, set September 19, 1992, against Alabama. Primary tenants historically: Arkansas Razorbacks (1948–2025) and Catholic High School for Boys’ Rockets, who continue to play home games there.
A Memorial Built to Honor the Fallen
The idea for a stadium-as-memorial took shape in the years following World War II, when Arkansas legislators sought a lasting tribute to the state’s military dead. Construction wrapped in 1947, and the stadium hosted its very first contest on September 18, 1948 — a 40–6 Arkansas Razorbacks victory over Abilene Christian.
The following day, Maurice Britt, a former Razorback and one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II, formally dedicated the venue to ‘the memory of her native sons and daughters who have given so much that we might have our freedom.’ Designed with Art Deco flourishes by architect Bruce R. Anderson, the structure reflected the civic pride — and solemn purpose — that underwrote it.
Location, Parking & Getting There
War Memorial Stadium sits inside War Memorial Park at 1 Stadium Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, just off Interstate 630 near Fair Park Boulevard. From I-630, take the Fair Park Boulevard exit and follow signage toward the stadium and zoo district.
Parking surrounds the stadium in surface lots and on nearby streets, with exact lot assignments and pricing varying by event — a Razorbacks game, concert, or high school championship each uses a different traffic and parking plan. Fans with disabilities and proper credentials can use accessible parking behind the Arkansas Department of Health at Markham and Palm streets, with a shuttle running to the stadium before, during, and after events. Because layouts change event to event, always check the current parking map for whatever you’re attending on the official War Memorial Stadium website before you go.
Tickets & Box Office
War Memorial Stadium doesn’t sell tickets for a single resident team anymore, so where you buy depends on the event: concerts and one-off games are typically sold through the promoter or major resale marketplaces, while high school and college matchups often route through the home team’s athletic ticket office or a will-call window at the stadium gates.
Because pricing tiers (sideline vs. end zone, club seating, general admission) and on-sale dates shift with every event, check the specific listing on the stadium’s events calendar for the current box office details, or call the stadium office at (501) 663-6385.
Bag Policy & Stadium Rules
War Memorial Stadium enforces a standard bag policy: bags larger than 14″ x 10″ x 10″ are prohibited except medical or child-care bags, and any bag brought inside is subject to search at entry. For University of Arkansas football games historically, fans were directed to the Razorback game-day clear-bag policy for that event’s specific rules.
Common prohibited items include alcohol, coolers, outside food and beverages, folding chairs, cameras with telephoto lenses, professional photo/video equipment, laser pointers, noisemakers, umbrellas, selfie sticks, and weapons. The stadium does not allow re-entry once you’ve left, and seating is limited to chairs no wider than 16 inches without armrests. Concourse-level restrooms, concessions, and most gates are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of Gate 4.
Decades of Football, Concerts, and Unforgettable Moments
The stadium expanded twice over its life — first to around 40,000 seats in 1960 and then to over 53,000 in 1967 — tracking the state’s growing appetite for Razorbacks football. The record crowd of 55,914 packed the stands on September 19, 1992, for a matchup against Alabama.
Beyond football, the stadium welcomed President Harry S. Truman in 1949, hosted Billy Graham’s evangelistic crusades in 1959 and 1989, and staged concerts by the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, and Elton John and Billy Joel, who drew 41,274 fans in 1995. For 20 years it also hosted the Salt Bowl, the popular Benton-Bryant high school rivalry game, along with Arkansas high school football championships and the Delta Classic. A $7.3 million renovation in 2010 added a three-story press box and improved club seating, extending the venue’s life well into the 21st century.
Life After the Razorbacks: What’s Next for the Stadium
The Razorbacks’ Little Rock contract expired after the 2025 season, and no University of Arkansas football games are currently scheduled at War Memorial Stadium going forward. Arkansas officials, including the governor, have floated making an occasional Razorbacks–Arkansas State game an annual Little Rock tradition, but no formal agreement locks that in.
The Salt Bowl also relocated to Saline County in 2025 after two decades at War Memorial, leaving the stadium’s commission searching for a sustainable new identity. Commission leaders have said the goal now is turning War Memorial into a genuine multi-purpose venue — hosting soccer, concerts, high school football, and community events — rather than trying to remain primarily a college football stadium. Catholic High School’s Rockets continue to play home games there, keeping the venue in regular football use even without the Hogs.
War Memorial Stadium Little Rock FAQs
Why is it called War Memorial Stadium?
The stadium was built by the Arkansas state government as a permanent memorial to Arkansans who died serving in World War I and World War II. It was formally dedicated on September 19, 1948, by Medal of Honor recipient Maurice Britt.
How many people does War Memorial Stadium hold?
War Memorial Stadium’s capacity reached 54,120 after a 2010 renovation. The original 1948 configuration held about 31,075 fans.
Did the Arkansas Razorbacks stop playing at War Memorial Stadium?
Yes. The Razorbacks used War Memorial Stadium as their Little Rock home for 78 seasons, but their contract with the stadium expired after the 2025 season, and no Razorbacks games are currently scheduled there going forward.
Where is War Memorial Stadium and how do you get there?
It’s located at 1 Stadium Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, inside War Memorial Park just off I-630 near the Fair Park Boulevard exit. Surface lots and street parking surround the stadium, with layouts and prices varying by event.
How do I buy tickets to an event at War Memorial Stadium?
Ticket sources vary by event — check the specific listing on the stadium’s official events calendar or the promoting team’s box office, since War Memorial no longer has a single resident team selling season tickets.
What’s the bag policy at War Memorial Stadium?
Bags larger than 14″ x 10″ x 10″ are prohibited except medical or child-care bags, and all bags are searched at entry. Coolers, outside food and drinks, and professional cameras are also not allowed, and re-entry is not permitted once you leave.
Is War Memorial Stadium still used for anything now that the Razorbacks are gone?
Yes. Catholic High School’s Rockets still play home football there, and the stadium’s commission is pursuing concerts, soccer matches, and other community events to keep the historic venue active.
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