What is the seating capacity of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium seats 88,548 for Florida Gators football games, making it the 12th largest stadium in the world and the largest in the state of Florida. The record attendance is 90,916, set during the 2015 game against Ole Miss.

Where is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium located?

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is on Stadium Road on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida 32611. It sits in the centre of campus, about 1.5 miles from downtown Gainesville and approximately 115 miles north of Orlando.

Why is it called The Swamp?

Head coach Steve Spurrier coined the nickname in 1992 when he said the visiting team has to get off the bus in The Swamp and that's where they'll be eaten by the Gators. The name stuck because of the stadium's oppressive heat, humidity, and noise — conditions that make it one of the toughest road environments in college football.

How do I get to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

Most fans drive to Gainesville via I-75 and park in UF campus lots or surrounding neighbourhoods. There is no rail transit to Gainesville. On game days, UF operates shuttle buses from remote parking areas. The Gainesville RTS bus system also provides game-day routes to the stadium area.

Is there parking at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

UF campus lots cost $40–$60 on game days and fill early. Surrounding neighbourhood lots and private driveways charge $20–$40. Remote park-and-ride lots with shuttle service are available on the east side of campus. Arrive 3+ hours early — Gainesville traffic on game day is severe.

What is the Tom Petty tradition?

Since October 2017, the stadium plays Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down' during the fourth quarter of every home game. The tradition honours the Gainesville-born rock legend who died that month. 88,000 fans sing along in unison — one of the most emotional moments in college football.

How far is the airport from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is 10 miles northeast of the stadium, about 20 minutes by car, with limited commercial service. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is 90 miles northeast, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Orlando International (MCO) is 115 miles south, about 2 hours. Most visitors driving from Orlando or Jacksonville.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville FL - Capacity, History & Complete Visitor Guide

About Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium sits on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville — an 88,548-seat colosseum known as The Swamp, where the Florida Gators play football in heat, humidity, and noise that have made this one of the most feared road environments in college football. The nickname came from Steve Spurrier in 1992 — “The other team has to get off the bus in The Swamp at Florida Field, and that is where they’ll be eaten by the Gators” — and it has defined this place ever since.

The stadium opened in 1930 as Florida Field with just 21,769 seats, built for $118,000 and designed by Rudolph Weaver and Osborn Engineering. Nearly a century of expansions have transformed it into the 12th largest stadium in the world and the largest in Florida — a concrete bowl that rises out of the flat terrain of north-central Florida and traps the heat, noise, and intensity of 88,000 fans inside its walls. The Swamp’s design amplifies crowd noise, and opposing quarterbacks have struggled with the roar since long before Spurrier gave it a name.

Three Heisman Trophy winners — Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), and Tim Tebow (2007) — have statues outside the stadium entrance, turning the walk to the gates into a pilgrimage through Gators football royalty. The stadium was renamed for Ben Hill Griffin Jr. in 1989 after his $10 million donation, but the playing field retains its original name: Florida Field.

Since 2017, the stadium plays Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” during the fourth quarter of every home game — a tribute to the Gainesville-born rock legend who died that October. The sight of 88,000 fans singing in unison, phones raised, is one of the most emotional traditions in college football and a reminder that The Swamp is more than just a hostile environment — it is a community.

Getting to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Public Transit

Gainesville has no rail transit, but the university and city operate shuttle and bus service on game days.

→ Via UF Game Day Shuttles: Free shuttle buses run from remote parking areas on the east side of campus to stadium-area drop-off points. Service begins 3 hours before kickoff and runs for 1 hour after the game.

→ Via Gainesville RTS: The Regional Transit System operates game-day routes from park-and-ride locations around the city. Check the RTS website for specific game-day schedules.

There is no practical public transit from Jacksonville or Orlando to Gainesville. Most visitors drive. On game days, Gainesville’s roads are overwhelmed — arrive at least 3 hours before kickoff to park, tailgate, and walk to the stadium.

Driving + Parking

The stadium is on Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611. I-75 is the primary approach from all directions.

→ From Jacksonville (~90 mi): I-10 West to I-75 South to Archer Road or Newberry Road exits. About 1 hour 30 minutes.

→ From Orlando (~115 mi): Florida’s Turnpike to I-75 North to Archer Road exit. About 2 hours.

→ From Tampa (~130 mi): I-75 North to the Newberry Road exit. About 2 hours.

UF campus lots cost $40–$60 and fill early. Neighbourhood lots and private driveways charge $20–$40. Remote park-and-ride lots on the east side of campus offer shuttle service for $10–$20. Tailgating is a way of life — arrive early and bring supplies.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft operate in Gainesville but availability is limited on game days due to demand and road closures. Expect $8–$12 from downtown Gainesville hotels. From Ocala, rideshare is not practical — drive yourself. Post-game surge is heavy; walk away from the stadium before requesting a ride.

From the Airport

→ Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV): 10 miles northeast of the stadium, about 20 minutes by car. Limited commercial service — primarily connecting flights through Charlotte or Dallas. Rideshare runs $15–$20.

→ Jacksonville International (JAX): 90 miles northeast, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car. Larger airport with more flight options. Rental car is the most practical option for game-day visitors.

→ Orlando International (MCO): 115 miles south, about 2 hours by car. The most convenient major hub for domestic and international flights. Rental car required.

History of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium opened in 1930 as Florida Field — a 21,769-seat venue built for $118,000 on the University of Florida campus. Designed by Rudolph Weaver and Osborn Engineering, the original structure occupied a natural depression that would become the foundation for nearly a century of expansions, each one adding to the bowl until it became the 88,548-seat colosseum that stands today.

Steve Spurrier’s Heisman (1966): Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy as Florida’s quarterback, becoming the school’s first Heisman winner. He would return as head coach in 1990 and lead the Gators to their greatest era — including coining The Swamp nickname that defined the stadium’s identity.

Danny Wuerffel and the National Championship (1996): Wuerffel won the Heisman and led the Gators to a national championship under Spurrier, defeating Florida State 52–20 in the Sugar Bowl. The 1996 season cemented The Swamp as one of the most dominant home-field advantages in college football.

Tim Tebow’s Heisman (2007): Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, and his 2008 Gators won the national championship. Tebow’s speech after the 2008 loss to Ole Miss — promising that no one would play harder — is arguably the most famous moment in Gators football history.

Tom Petty Tribute (2017–present): After Tom Petty’s death in October 2017, the stadium began playing “I Won’t Back Down” during the fourth quarter of every home game. The tradition has become one of the most powerful moments in college football — 88,000 fans, phones raised, singing together for a Gainesville native whose music defined a generation.

From Spurrier’s Heisman to Tebow’s promise to 88,000 voices singing Tom Petty in the fourth quarter, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is The Swamp — a place where the heat, the humidity, the noise, and the tradition consume everything that enters.