Fortera Stadium - Austin Peay Governors

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71

Fortera Stadium Henry St Clarksville, TN 37044

Austin Peay Governors website

Fortera Stadium website

Year Opened: 1946

Capacity: 10,000

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Welcome to the Fort

Named after a former governor of the state of Tennessee, Austin Peay University first took to the gridiron in the city of Clarksville as an independent team in 1930. They joined their first conference in 1947 as a part of the Volunteer State Athletic Conference before moving into the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) in 1963, where they spent the better part of the next half century. During that time the Governors played first as a part of the NCAA College Division and then NCAA Division II until 1973, when they transitioned to the then I-AA level in 1978, long before it became the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2006.

After a short run in the Pioneer Football League in the early 2000s, the program returned to the OVC. Austin Peay captured the conference title in 2019 and made a run to the FCS tournament semi-finals. That success helped lead the Governors into their best stretch of success in school history, which included back-to-back championships in the ASUN (2022) and United Athletic Conference (2023), the first time the Governors have ever pulled off consecutive conference titles.

With that rise in performance, football Saturdays in Clarksville now bring a renewed sense of excitement that surrounds the game day experience at Fortera Stadium.

Food & Beverage   3

There are two traditional concession stands, one on each side of the stadium, offering a straightforward lineup of burgers, hot dogs, and nachos with cheese sauce. The home side adds a slightly wider selection with BBQ sandwiches, chili dogs, and fries, perfect for making chili cheese fries or other topped-up variations. Typical snacks like candy, chips, popcorn, as well as the always popular stadium pickle, round out the snack menu.

Beverages come from the Coca-Cola family, including Powerade, BodyArmor, and Dasani water. Around the concourse, smaller vendors help break up the routine with sno cones, gourmet popcorn, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Beer sales are limited to a single location on the home side of the stadium, but it is a highlight of local flavor; alongside standard domestics, Star Spangled Brewing’s Austin Peay-branded Governors Golden Ale and The Struggle Bus Southern IPA add a selection of Clarksville’s local brewing.

Atmosphere   3

Game day at Fortera Stadium begins when Tailgate Alley coming to life three hours before kickoff. Just west of the stadium in Lot 6, tents rise, the smell of grills fills the air, and you can hear music from a DJ.

Food trucks line the lot, offering an alternative to home-cooked tailgate spreads, while two and a half hours before kickoff, fans gather along the route for the Gov Walk, cheering as the team makes its way into Fortera Stadium.

Inside the gates, Fortera’s split-bleacher design creates a larger, shaded west-side grandstand topped with suites and club seating, while the east side holds visiting fans and the press box. Though the field is surrounded by an eight-lane track, the stands sit close enough to maintain intimacy, avoiding the detached feel common in multi-use venues. The home side rises about ten feet above the playing surface, combining aluminum bleachers, temporary seatbacks between the 40s, and molded chairbacks on the second tier.

The north end zone features converted shipping containers turned into field-level suites, while the south end hosts a beer garden and Buffalo Wild Wings tents. The west side’s shade and amenities make it the clear choice for comfort and atmosphere.

Tradition anchors the experience. A hand-crank siren signals the start of pregame, and on third downs, fans are implored to “Stomp the Fort,” the echoing of aluminum bleachers reverberating throughout the stadium. The Governors Marching Band performs during pregame and at halftime, while during breaks in the action, a mix of pop music and in-game hosting keeps the energy up. The lone scoreboard at the south end provides a video feed of the game with basic game stats of time and score, along with down and distance information.

Neighborhood   4

Fortera Stadium sits on the northern edge of Austin Peay’s campus, just over a half mile from downtown Clarksville. The surrounding area has seen significant growth, blending the small-town Tennessee charm with modern development. One of downtown’s newest spots is Shelby’s Trio, a three-level building featuring the motor-themed Joe’s Garage, upscale Italian at Trattoria Di Cat’s, and the rooftop Skyline 500 Bar overlooking the Cumberland River. A few blocks away, local favorites such as Strawberry Alley Ale Works, Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, and the Taproom keep downtown lively well into the evening.

For a look at Clarksville’s history, the Custom House Museum and Cultural Center, less than a mile from the stadium, highlights Clarksville’s heritage, while Liberty Park along the riverbank features a statue honoring Olympic legend Wilma Rudolph, who grew up in the city. For those looking to get into nature around town, Dunbar Cave State Park, just outside town, offers scenic trails and guided cave tours.

Visitors coming to Clarksville for the weekend will find the DoubleTree by Hilton conveniently located behind F&M Bank Arena, home to Austin Peay basketball. The hotel is within walking distance of the area’s shops, restaurants, and cafes. Travelers preferring easy highway access can find a range of options near the I-24 / US-79 interchange, though that area sits several miles from Clarksville’s downtown energy.

Fans   4

Average attendance at Fortera Stadium sits around 6,500 fans per game, a strong showing for the university's size. The home stands are typically more than three-quarters full, creating a lively atmosphere, especially during competitive matchups.

While there does not seem to be a clearly defined student section, a cluster of fans along the field-level fence line brings energy and personality, often giving the venue a rowdy edge.

Given the wide dispersion of teams in the United Athletic Conference, visiting fan turnout can be light.

Access   3

Interstate 24 runs locally from Clarksville to Nashville, making the trip to Austin Peay’s campus rather simple. From the interstate it’s roughly a 15-minute drive to Fortera Stadium. Parking is available in campus lots and streets, in accordance with typical university parking regulations.

Inside the gates, the facility’s split-stand layout can make it slightly tricky to move between the home and visiting sides. For most home fans this is not much of an issue, as that side of the stadium includes the majority of concessions and amenities. Visiting fans, however, may find that the limited food and beverage options on their side requires a bit of extra navigation around the south end, to reach the main concourse.

Return on Investment   5

Ticket prices start at $15 for general bleacher seating, plus a $1.50 service fee. Reserved midfield seats are priced at $20, offering one of the best views in the stadium at a very reasonable rate.

Concession prices are equally affordable, making it easy for fans to enjoy the full game-day experience without overspending. Parking is also free throughout campus, adding even more value to the outing.

All told, attending a Governors game remains one of the better bargains at the FCS level; a family of four can enjoy tickets, food, and drinks for under $100.

Extras   4

The exterior of Fortera Stadium recognizes Austin Peay’s conference championships, including titles from the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (1948), the Ohio Valley Conference (1977, 2019), and back-to-back crowns in the ASUN (2022) and inaugural United Athletic Conference (2023) season.

Inside, the facings of both the press box and suites honor the program’s nine retired numbers, while the concourse offers a deeper look into Governors football history. Large displays feature biographies of retired players, photos of championship teams, and a tribute to College Football Hall of Fame coach James “Boots” Donnelly.

In addition, at the southwest end of the facility, within Blake Jenkins Plaza, stands the Fox Walk of History, a series of concrete obelisks recognizing each of the more than 1,700 players who have represented Austin Peay football.

Game days are brought to life by “The Gov,” Austin Peay’s energetic mascot. He begins the day weaving through the tailgate lots, posing for photos and hyping up fans before kickoff. During the game, he’s a constant presence on the sideline, urging fans to get loud or taking aim with his t-shirt Gatling gun, sending shirts flying into the crowd in rapid-fire bursts.

Final Thoughts

Even with a smaller enrollment, Austin Peay does an excellent job of not just filling seats, but creating a game day atmosphere many larger programs would be proud to call their own. From pregame tailgating to the energy inside the stadium, the Govs deliver an outstanding college football experience. Offering fun football experiences at reasonable ticket prices, Austin Peay provides an enjoyable environment. The Governors have built a college football experience that has grown into something special in Clarksville.der of the state of Tennessee. From the moment you enter campus until you place your backside in your Fortera Stadium seat with as good a vantage point of campus as the view of the field, you’ll be surrounded by college life and surroundings. College football is as much a part of the southern college experience, and college football lives on proudly in Clarksville, Tennessee.