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William "Dick" Price Stadium - home of Norfolk State Spartans in Norfolk, Virginia
NCAA FCS

William "Dick" Price StadiumNorfolk, Virginia

Norfolk State Spartans

πŸ‘₯
Capacity
30,000
πŸ†
Conference
MEAC
πŸ“…
Opened
1997
🌱
Surface
Shaw Sports Spike Zone Pro (artificial, installed 2021)

πŸ“–About William "Dick" Price Stadium

William "Dick" Price Stadium, opened in 1997, is one of the largest sports and entertainment venues in Hampton Roads with a 30,000-seat capacity. Named after Norfolk State's winningest football coach, the stadium set an attendance record of 34,000 at its inaugural game and has consistently ranked among the top FCS venues for attendance, reflecting the passionate Spartan fanbase.

πŸ›οΈWilliam "Dick" Price Stadium History

Origins

Built in 1997 to replace the aging Foreman Field, the stadium was designed to accommodate Norfolk State's growing football program and serve as a premier multi-use facility for Hampton Roads. The venue's 30,000 capacity made it one of the largest in FCS football, signaling NSU's commitment to athletic excellence.

Major Renovations

2011Natural grass replaced with Spike Zone Pro 1.75" artificial turf with Envirofill infill
2012Two state-of-the-art LED video boards installed (12.5' x 31' west end, 17' x 47' east end)
2018Stadium facility upgrades and modernization

Notable Moments

Sept 6, 1997Inaugural game vs Virginia State drew sellout crowd of 34,000 - still stadium attendance record
1998-2011NSU ranked in top 20 FCS attendance six times, including 15th in 2003
2010sStadium hosted MEAC championship games and CIAA football classics

🎟️Visiting William "Dick" Price Stadium

Best Seats

Lower bowl seating between the 30-yard lines offers the best views of the action. The west side provides afternoon shade. The student section creates an energetic atmosphere, especially for rivalry games. With 30,000 seats, there are excellent sightlines throughout the stadium.

Parking Tips

Multiple parking lots surround the stadium off Ballentine Boulevard and Corprew Avenue. Arrive 2 hours early for prime tailgating spots. Parking is plentiful compared to most venues due to the stadium's size. Follow stadium parking attendants for quickest access.

Game Day

The Spartan Legion tailgates fire up 3-4 hours before kickoff. Norfolk State's Spartan Legion Marching Band delivers powerful pre-game and halftime shows. The atmosphere is especially electric for homecoming and rivalry matchups. Ocean View and downtown Norfolk offer excellent post-game dining.

πŸ—ΊοΈLocal Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

The OV Beach Tavern

$$

Ocean View beach bar with laid-back atmosphere and outdoor seating near the Chesapeake Bay.

πŸ“ 2 milesOcean View

πŸ’‘ Perfect post-game spot with beach vibes and local crowd.

Azalea Inn & Time Out Sports Bar

$

Sports bar with TVs, gameday atmosphere, and pub fare.

πŸ“ 2.5 miles2344 E. Little Creek Rd

πŸ’‘ Classic sports bar for pre-game drinks and food.

🍽️Restaurants

Captain Groovy's

$$

Fresh seafood platters, raw bar, and Southern-style seafood with laid-back beach atmosphere and outdoor seating.

πŸ“ 2 milesOcean View

πŸ’‘ Local favorite during happy hour - arrive early for waterfront tables.

Ocean View Fishing Pier Restaurant

$$

Elevated dining with Chesapeake Bay views, cocktails, and fresh seafood.

πŸ“ 2.5 milesOcean View

πŸ’‘ Spectacular views - book ahead for post-game dining with a view.

Waterside District

$$

Downtown Norfolk's waterfront dining and entertainment complex with multiple restaurants.

πŸ“ 5 milesDowntown Norfolk

πŸ’‘ Variety of dining options in one location - great for groups.

🏨Hotels

Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel

$$$

Waterfront hotel near Norfolk Naval Base, Town Point Park, and Nauticus Museum.

πŸ“ 5 milesDowntown Norfolk

πŸ’‘ Prime downtown location for weekend gameday trips. Book early for homecoming.

The Glass Light Hotel

$$$

Boutique hotel and glass art gallery in historic downtown with 113 rooms and suites.

πŸ“ 5 milesDowntown Norfolk

πŸ’‘ Unique artistic atmosphere with local character.

🎭Attractions

Nauticus & USS Wisconsin

$$

Maritime discovery center with interactive exhibits and historic Battleship Wisconsin museum.

πŸ“ 5 milesDowntown Norfolk waterfront

πŸ’‘ Tour the battleship Saturday morning before afternoon kickoffs.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

$$

175-acre garden with vibrant flowers, tranquil ponds, butterfly garden, and themed collections.

πŸ“ 3 milesNorfolk

πŸ’‘ Beautiful morning activity before gameday festivities.

Chrysler Museum of Art

Free

One of America's finest regional art museums, housing a permanent collection of 35,000+ objects spanning 5,000 years β€” including a world-class glass art collection β€” all with free admission.

πŸ“ 3.5 miOne Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510

πŸ’‘ Closed Mondays; open Tue–Sat 10am–5pm and Sun noon–5pm. The adjacent Perry Glass Studio (745 Duke St) often has live glassblowing demonstrations.

Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin

$$

A waterfront maritime science center featuring interactive naval exhibits plus a self-guided tour of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64), one of the largest battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy.

πŸ“ 4 mi1 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510

πŸ’‘ Adults $19.95, children (3–12) $16; open daily 9am–5pm. Active-duty military and veterans receive $3 off (discount applies to the service member/veteran only, not dependents; valid ID required at front desk). Allow 2–3 hours to do the battleship and exhibits justice.

MacArthur Memorial

Free

A museum and tomb complex inside Norfolk's restored 1850 City Hall building, telling the full story of General Douglas MacArthur and the soldiers who served with him across three wars.

πŸ“ 4 mi198 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

πŸ’‘ Open Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; closed Sundays and most major federal holidays. Free admission. The rotunda holds MacArthur's tomb, and the archive holds his personal papers β€” a compact but surprisingly rich stop.

πŸ…ΏοΈParking Options

πŸ…ΏοΈ

Stadium Main Lots

$15-25
LotπŸ“ Adjacent

πŸ’‘ Multiple large lots around stadium. Arrive 2 hours early for tailgating.

πŸ…ΏοΈ

Ballentine Boulevard Parking

$15
LotπŸ“ 0.1 miles

πŸ’‘ Easy access off main road with quick exit after games.

πŸ…ΏοΈ

Overflow Parking

$10
LotπŸ“ 0.25 miles

πŸ’‘ Additional capacity on busy gamedays, short walk to stadium.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near William "Dick" Price Stadium? Share it with us.

Roof TypeOpen-air

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Frequently Asked Questions About William "Dick" Price Stadium

What is the capacity of William "Dick" Price Stadium?
William "Dick" Price Stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000.
Where is William "Dick" Price Stadium located?
William "Dick" Price Stadium is located in Norfolk, Virginia.
What team plays at William "Dick" Price Stadium?
William "Dick" Price Stadium is the home stadium of Norfolk State Spartans in the MEAC.
When was William "Dick" Price Stadium built?
William "Dick" Price Stadium opened in 1997.
Where are the best seats at William "Dick" Price Stadium?
Lower bowl seating between the 30-yard lines offers the best views of the action. The west side provides afternoon shade. The student section creates an energetic atmosphere, especially for rivalry games. With 30,000 seats, there are excellent sightlines throughout the stadium.
What are the best parking tips for William "Dick" Price Stadium?
Multiple parking lots surround the stadium off Ballentine Boulevard and Corprew Avenue. Arrive 2 hours early for prime tailgating spots. Parking is plentiful compared to most venues due to the stadium's size. Follow stadium parking attendants for quickest access.
What type of surface does William "Dick" Price Stadium have?
William "Dick" Price Stadium has a shaw sports spike zone pro (artificial, installed 2021) playing surface.
What stadiums are near William "Dick" Price Stadium?
The closest stadiums to William "Dick" Price Stadium are Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium (4 mi), Armstrong Stadium (13 mi), Zable Stadium (39 mi), E. Claiborne Robins Stadium (87 mi), Bagwell Field at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium (106 mi), Nationals Park (146 mi).

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.