Phillip Beard Stadium - Buford High School Wolves

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71

Phillip Beard Stadium 2440 Buford Highway Buford, GA 30518

Buford High School Wolves website Phillip Beard Stadium website

Year Opened: 2025 Capacity: 10,000

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Welcome to Gloryland

The high school football stadium arms race has long been dominated by schools in Texas, but a new challenger has entered the ring. In the northeast suburbs of Atlanta, Buford High School has raised the stakes with the unveiling of its $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium, one of the most lavish high school football facilities in the nation.

Buford is not just another strong program – it is one of the most established high school football dynasties in the state. The Wolves have captured 14 state championships while producing some of the top college football recruits in the country.

To grasp the scale of this stadium project, consider that, even when adjusted for inflation, the new stadium cost more than three Georgia college stadiums built in the 2000s: Kennesaw State’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Mercer’s Five Star Stadium, and the University of West Georgia’s University Stadium.

Before moving into Phillip Beard Stadium, Buford played just around the corner at Tom Riden Stadium on the former high school campus, now home to Buford Middle School. The new venue is named for longtime city commissioner and school board chair Philip Beard, who has overseen the rise of the City of Buford’s deep intertwining of civic pride and athletic ambition. Beard is also a former Buford High School athletics director, and many credit him with the upward trajectory of the City of Buford under his leadership since 1979.

Food & Beverage   3

Concessions at Phillip Beard Stadium are what would be expected at most high school venues. The menu centers on the classics: burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and barbecue sandwiches, supported by a range of chips and candy at the main stand. A King of Pops cart adds a nice local touch, offering fans handcrafted popsicles that feel perfectly suited for those warm Georgia evenings.

Also, as would be expected at just about any high school in Georgia, drinks come from the Coca-Cola family of beverages. This includes not just soft drinks, but also Powerade and Dasani bottled water are available.

Atmosphere   4

The stadium takes no shortcuts when it comes to grandeur, a consistent theme across all of Buford’s athletic facilities. The exterior grounds are almost entirely covered in field turf rather than natural grass, giving the complex a pristine, manicured look that’s complemented by a row of stately pillars bearing the Buford “B.”

Fans are greeted by a massive, two-sided scoreboard spanning 3,600 square feet. The inward-facing screen commands attention on game nights, while the outward-facing side serves mostly as advertising space, a subtle reminder of how commercial high school sports have become. Additional ribbon boards around the stadium display scores, down-and-distance, and still more scrolling ads.

Built into the hillside, the brick-finished structure mirrors the collegiate feel of the adjoining fieldhouse at the south end. The north end features a 30-yard mini field designed to mimic the game field, but is reserved solely for the marching band’s pre-halftime warmups.

Much of what makes football at the high school level special is the role that the marching bands play. Buford’s marching band, “The Band of Wolves,” is a cornerstone of Buford’s game day atmosphere. Their performances before kickoff and at halftime elevate the game atmosphere, though the use of the “Notre Dame Victory March” instead of an original fight song feels disappointingly generic.

Sticking with the theme of Buford’s mascot, scoring plays are celebrated with the howl of wolves being played over the stadium’s speakers.

One element notably missing, however, is visible recognition of the Wolves’ historic success. Despite the program’s long tradition of excellence, the stadium lacks displays or tributes that highlight the elite players and championship teams that helped build Buford’s reputation.

Seating is divided into a functional, yet basic, visiting section of aluminum bleachers on the east side and a two-level home grandstand opposite. The home side features standard bleachers below and a section of chair-back seats in the upper rows between the 30-yard lines. A walkway separates the general seating from the premium areas, the latter of which includes luxury boxes and a two-level press box, a setup rarely seen at the high school level.

Neighborhood   3

Phillip Beard Stadium sits directly off Buford Highway, across from Buford High School’s campus. Just over a mile away sits Buford’s Main Street with its small-town charm, including local favorites like Main Street Deli, Rico’s World Kitchen, and Meander Brewing Company, all of which are highly regarded.

With Buford’s proximity to Lake Lanier, lakefront attractions like Buford Dam Park and Lake Lanier Resort are just a short trip away. For those looking to stretch the weekend, Friday night football can easily turn into a Saturday doubleheader, as Coolray Field, home of the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, is just 20 minutes away in Lawrenceville. In the same area are the Mall of Georgia and Top Golf, adding to the mix of nearby entertainment options. Though Buford’s city center is on the smaller side, there is no shortage of places to eat or unwind within a short drive of the stadium.

Fans   4

High school football in Georgia is serious business, rivaling Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio for the most passionate fan bases in the country. That passion is reflected at Buford, where the home side and luxury suites are typically packed. The student section also helps bring an extra level of excitement to the stadium, often including organized theme nights.

The only knock is that, even in competitive games, a noticeable portion of fans leave at halftime. It does not erase the excitement they bring early on, but it does take a little of the edge off what begins as one of the more charged atmospheres in Georgia high school football.

Access   3

Buford sits in the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta, where residential developments begin to blend into north Georgia’s lakes region. Interstate 985 feeds into Buford, leaving roughly a 10-minute drive from the highway to the stadium. Two other main arteries, Buford Highway and Peachtree Highway, provide access from Atlanta and southern Gwinnett County to the south. The most convenient parking lot sits on school grounds across Buford Highway from the stadium, with several officers stationed to help fans cross safely before and after the game.

High school athletics can occasionally fall into the pitfalls of unruly student and fan behavior, creating the need for stadium designs that limit direct interaction between the two sides during games. When purchasing tickets, fans must choose either the home or visiting stands, as there is no access to the opposite side once inside. Tickets are not sold at the gate; instead, sandwich board signs with QR codes direct fans to purchase them online. Buying tickets in advance is the easiest option, especially since cell service around the stadium can be unreliable.

Inside the venue, the main field concourses are wide enough for fans to move comfortably, though the exterior walkways behind the press box and luxury suites can become cramped. Much of that congestion comes from students congregating in those areas, which can temporarily block foot traffic.

Return on Investment   5

New facilities often bring higher prices for tickets, parking, and concessions, but that is not the case at Buford. General admission runs $10, which includes free parking in the school’s lot across the street and on the north side of the stadium. Concession prices are also kept reasonable, making the overall gameday experience a strong value for visitors.

Extras   4

A large wolf statue greets fans as they enter the stadium grounds, serving as a popular photo spot before kickoff. Other thoughtful details continue inside, such as monitors above the concession windows streaming a live feed of the game, ensuring fans do not miss any action while grabbing a snack.

At the north end of the stadium stands the Buford victory bell, a piece of local history dating back to the 1800s, when it was used to signal the start and end of the school day at the original school building.

Lastly, not only is the main scoreboard a centerpiece worth admiring, but the stadium’s LED lighting package is equally impressive. The ability to turn the entire stadium Buford green gives the atmosphere a big-time feel rarely seen at the high school level.

Final Thoughts

There is no denying that Phillip Beard Stadium is a stunningly lavish high school football facility, one that honors the traditions of one of the top programs in the country.

The question, however, is whether a facility of this scale and cost, at $62 million and dedicated to a single school, unmatched by nearly any other stadium in not just Georgia, but in the nation, is truly necessary. While some might argue these funds could have been better spent on classroom resources or other student programs, it is worth noting that Phillip Beard Stadium was financed and is owned by the City of Buford, then leased to the school district.

Ultimately, Phillip Beard Stadium stands as a testament to Buford football – a program with a rich history of championships, elite talent, and passionate fans. Its necessity may be debatable, but there is no question that it elevates the high school football experience to a level rarely seen anywhere in the country.