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Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium - home of Old Dominion in Norfolk, VA
Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0
NCAA FBS

Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard StadiumNorfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion

About Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium is the home of Old Dominion Monarchs football in Norfolk, Virginia. Originally opened in 1936 as Foreman Field, the stadium underwent a $67.5 million reconstruction completed in 2019 and now holds 21,944 seats on an AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D surface. The playing field was renamed in January 2019 after a $3 million gift from ODU alumnus Barry Kornblau; S.B. Ballard honors the construction firm that donated $2.5 million in 2009.

Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium History

Origins

Original Foreman Field opened in 1936 with WPA funding. Renamed S.B. Ballard Stadium in 2009 after $2.5M donation. Completely reconstructed 2018-2019.

Major Renovations

2009ODU football returned; stadium renamed S.B. Ballard
2019$67.5M reconstruction with modern amenities; capacity 21,944

Notable Moments

Sep 22, 2018ODU upset #13 Virginia Tech 49-35 before record crowd of 20,532
1946-1995Hosted historic Oyster Bowl featuring major NCAA teams
Aug 31, 2019Renovated stadium opened with 24-21 win over Norfolk State

Visiting Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

Best Seats

Modern 2019 construction provides excellent sightlines throughout.

Parking Tips

Campus parking available. Norfolk waterfront nearby.

Game Day

ODU field hockey won 9 national titles here. Historic Oyster Bowl legacy. Virginia Tech upset put program on map.

Local Recommendations

Bars & Drinks

Smartmouth Brewing Company

$$

Norfolk craft brewery with great beer selection and food trucks.

3.0 milesNorfolk

Excellent local craft beer. Popular spot for ODU fans.

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The Birch

$$$

Upscale bar in downtown Norfolk with craft cocktails.

2.5 milesDowntown Norfolk

Great atmosphere for pre-game drinks.

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Restaurants

Doumar's

$

Norfolk institution since 1934. Famous for ice cream cones and BBQ.

2.0 milesNorfolk

A Norfolk tradition. The ice cream cones are legendary.

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No Frill Bar and Grill

$$

Local favorite for burgers and casual dining.

1.5 milesNorfolk

Great burgers and gameday atmosphere.

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Hotels

Hilton Norfolk The Main

$$$

Full-service hotel in downtown Norfolk near the waterfront.

2.5 milesDowntown Norfolk

Great location near the waterfront. Book early for gameday weekends.

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Attractions

Oyster Bowl Legacy

Free

Historic Oyster Bowl (1946-1995) featured major NCAA teams. ODU's 2018 upset of #13 Virginia Tech put the program on the map.

0 milesS.B. Ballard Stadium

Experience the historic Oyster Bowl legacy and modern ODU football.

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Nauticus & The Battleship Wisconsin

$$

A hands-on maritime science center on the downtown waterfront featuring interactive naval and ocean exhibits, plus the massive decommissioned WWII-era Battleship Wisconsin you can walk the decks of.

5 miOne Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510

General admission ($19.95 adults) covers both the museum and Battleship Wisconsin deck access. Arrive early on weekends — the ship draws crowds. Military and veterans get a discount.

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Chrysler Museum of Art

Free

One of the finest regional art museums in the American South, housing a world-class glass collection alongside old masters, American art, and ancient antiquities — all completely free to enter.

3 miOne Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510

Free parking is available on site. The Glass Studio (attached) offers glassblowing demonstrations on select days — check the calendar before your visit.

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Norfolk Botanical Garden

$$

A 175-acre garden with more than 65 themed garden rooms — including rose, Japanese, and Renaissance gardens — that can be explored on foot, by tram, or by boat through its canal system.

4 mi6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, VA 23518

Adults are $21; book online to save time. The tram tour is included in admission. Boat tours are seasonal (typically April through October) — confirm availability before visiting. Late spring is peak bloom season.

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Fort Norfolk

Free

A remarkably intact 1794 fort authorized by George Washington, featuring original earthwork ramparts, a powder magazine, officers' quarters, and a dungeon overlooking the Elizabeth River — one of the oldest military fortifications remaining on the East Coast.

4 mi810 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Bring a government-issued REAL ID — the site sits on active Army Corps of Engineers property and ID is required at the gate. Guided tours by the Norfolk Historical Society run Sundays noon–4 PM from May through late August. Self-guided exterior access is available weekdays 9am–4pm.

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Parking Options

S.B. Ballard Stadium Lots

$15-20
Lot0.1 miles

Campus parking available. Arrive early as lots fill up quickly.

Suggest a Tip

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Old Dominion Rivals

McColl–Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson StadiumCharlotte · Charlotte, NCBridgeforth StadiumJames Madison · Harrisonburg, VARoyal RivalryArthur L. Williams StadiumLiberty · Lynchburg, VA

Closest Stadiums to Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

William "Dick" Price StadiumNorfolk State Spartans · Norfolk, Virginia4 miArmstrong StadiumHampton Pirates · Hampton, Virginia9 miZable StadiumWilliam & Mary Tribe · Williamsburg, Virginia35 miE. Claiborne Robins StadiumRichmond Spiders · Richmond, Virginia83 miBagwell Field at Dowdy–Ficklen StadiumEast Carolina · Greenville, NC107 miNationals ParkWashington Nationals · Washington, DC142 mi

Frequently Asked Questions About Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

What is the capacity of Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium?
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium has a seating capacity of 21,944.
Where is Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium located?
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium is located in Norfolk, VA.
What team plays at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium?
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium is the home stadium of Old Dominion in the Sun Belt.
When was Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium built?
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium opened in 1936.
Where are the best seats at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium?
Modern 2019 construction provides excellent sightlines throughout.
What are the best parking tips for Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium?
Campus parking available. Norfolk waterfront nearby.
What type of surface does Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium have?
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium has a astroturf gameday grass 3d playing surface.
What stadiums are near Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium?
The closest stadiums to Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium are William "Dick" Price Stadium (4 mi), Armstrong Stadium (9 mi), Zable Stadium (35 mi), E. Claiborne Robins Stadium (83 mi), Bagwell Field at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium (107 mi), Nationals Park (142 mi).
Who are Old Dominion's biggest rivals?
Old Dominion's rivals include Charlotte, James Madison (Royal Rivalry), Liberty.

References

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