Georgia’s spring game in Athens has been a must-see event since the arrival of Kirby Smart as head coach.

There was certainly plenty to follow Saturday as the Red team came from behind to defeat the Black team, 22-17.

This year’s crowd at Sanford Stadium was sparse compared to previous years. Saturday’s announced attendance was 52,630.

» Photos: Georgia's spring scrimmage

A few months after its national championship game appearance, 82,184 cheered on the Bulldogs at the 2018 spring scrimmage. In 2017, 66,133 Georgia fans attended the spring scrimmage.

In Smart’s first season, the team broke the SEC spring game attendance record with approximately 93,000 fans answering the new coach’s call to show their support.

This year's 52,000-plus still sits among the most attended games of the spring. These are the 10-most attended spring games so far in 2019:
Nebraska: 85,946
Alabama: 62,219 
Ohio State: 61,102 
Penn State: 61,000
Clemson: 60,000 
Georgia: 52,630 
Tennessee: 50,967 
Oklahoma: 50,228 
Florida: 39,476 
Notre Dame: 30,074 

About the Author

Keep Reading

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel shake hands after Georgia beat Tennessee during overtime in an NCAA football game at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. Georgia won 44-41 over Tennessee in overtime.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com