FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football could be playing its final game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock this Saturday, when the Razorbacks take on Arkansas State.
The Razorbacks’ contract with the stadium is in its final year. War Memorial Stadium, which opened in 1948, has hosted Arkansas football for 78 seasons, with only the 2020 and 2022 seasons breaking that streak.
In recent years, however, fans have faced game day challenges. Two seasons ago, during a sweltering September matchup against Western Carolina, concession stands ran out of water. Staffing shortages, ticket scanner issues, and the rollout of Arkansas’ mobile ticketing system created long lines, causing many fans to arrive late.
Last season brought further problems: water in nearly every bathroom failed, and the press box air conditioning was out.
Officials at War Memorial Stadium are taking steps to prevent a repeat, especially with Saturday’s crowd expected to be large. The game is sold out—the first full house in years—with a capacity of 54,120.
“I’ve been here since 2017,” said stadium manager John Latch. “We haven’t had a complete sellout since I’ve been here. We can tell this game is going to be much bigger, and it’s going to be special.”
To accommodate the crowd, 150 reserved tailgating spaces were added, bringing the total to over 500. Large grill and corporate tailgating spaces are sold out, while general tailgating spots will be available for $25 starting at 6 a.m. on game day.
Additional ticket scanners will speed up entry, and concession stands will be fully stocked. The press box HVAC system, installed in 2009, has been updated, and the stadium’s plumbing has been upgraded.
“Last year, low water pressure was noticeable,” Latch said. “We’ve replaced the RPV valve and the pressure regulator—a $50,000 improvement—to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Testing involved the Catholic High School football team, who simulated a stadium full of fans flushing toilets simultaneously while radios coordinated the effort. Plumbers were on-site, and the test was successful. Players were rewarded afterward with cheeseburgers and hot dogs on the field.
Temperatures on Saturday are forecasted to reach 83 degrees, cooler than previous years, but Latch still urged fans to stay hydrated. The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism will provide a water mister and free drinking water at the pavilion on the old golf course outside the stadium.
If all goes smoothly, the historic venue could see a perfect sendoff for Razorback football at War Memorial Stadium.
Leave a Reply