In a major boost for college sports in the heart of the city, Georgia State University has officially begun construction on its new baseball stadium, bringing the Panthers baseball program back to downtown Atlanta and adding another key venue to the city’s rich sports landscape.
The $15.4 million project is rising on the historic grounds of the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — the legendary ballpark that once hosted the Atlanta Braves (1966-1996), the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlanta Chiefs, the Peach Bowl, and even Olympic baseball during the 1996 Summer Games.
Georgia State Breaks Ground on New Baseball Stadium
Most famously, it’s where Hank Aaron smashed his record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974.
Currently a parking lot adjacent to Center Parc Credit Union Stadium (home of GSU football), the site sits just steps from the university’s downtown campus, the new GSU Convocation Center (home to men’s and women’s basketball), and the surrounding Summerhill neighborhood.
When completed, the new facility will create a true “athletics village” in the area, enhancing fan access and community engagement right in the center of Atlanta’s sports scene.
The stadium will feature approximately 1,000 seats, a modern turf playing surface, expanded dugouts, upgraded batting cages and bullpens, advanced technology infrastructure, and improved seating and hospitality areas.
AI rendering of new GSU baseball stadium.
To honor the site’s storied past, GSU is relocating the iconic Hank Aaron statue from the entrance of Center Parc Credit Union Stadium to the new baseball stadium’s main entrance.
Plans also include a commemorative marker in left field recognizing the exact spot where Aaron’s historic homer cleared the wall.
“This stadium represents more than just a place to play baseball,” said Georgia State President Dr. M. Brian Blake. “It connects Georgia State to Atlanta’s sports legacy and creates a vibrant future for our program and community.”
The project received its final green light when the City of Atlanta approved the Land Disturbance Permit on November 18, 2025.
Construction crews have already mobilized equipment to the site, with completion targeted for fall 2026 — in time for the Panthers to potentially open the 2027 season in their new home.
The move brings baseball much closer to campus, replacing the current GSU Baseball Complex in Decatur (about 12 miles away), which has served as the Panthers’ home since 1986.
This new venue joins Atlanta’s impressive lineup of sports facilities, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium (home of the NFL’s Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United), Truist Park (home of the MLB’s Braves), State Farm Arena (home of the NBA’s Hawks), and the nearby Center Parc Credit Union Stadium and GSU Convocation Center.
It’s a welcome addition for local fans, student-athletes, and the Summerhill community, further solidifying downtown Atlanta as a hub for both professional and collegiate sports.
Donations continue to support the project, with naming opportunities still available for the stadium and playing field (pending approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents).
Final Word
Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for more developments as this exciting new chapter in Atlanta sports history takes shape!
For more information, visit georgiastatesports.com. Go Panthers!