Phillip Beard Stadium – stadium description

In short, what is Phillip Beard Stadium like?

The new stadium in Buford, a small town located in the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta, was built for the Buford Wolves, representing Buford High School. The arena was constructed across from the school’s new campus, several years after it opened.

The stadium was designed on a grand scale – high school football venues of such quality are rare in the United States, especially outside of Texas.

It can hold over 10,000 spectators and features luxury suites, a fieldhouse with the Wolves’ trophy collection, and a large video board with a dual-sided screen. A notable feature is a century-old bell, moved from the previous stadium and placed on one of the columns near the main entrance.

How was Phillip Beard Stadium built?

Before the new stadium was constructed, the city had built a new campus for Buford High School, which opened in the summer of 2019. Already in 2018, the city purchased a large portion of land on the opposite side of Buford Highway for the purpose of building a football facility.

Initial work began between 2021 and 2022, when trees were cleared and earthworks started. The design of the new stadium was then developed by Breaux & Associates Architects.

Construction of the arena began in early 2023, with Charles Black Construction Company as the main contractor. The project was funded by the city, with a total cost of $62 million, and the stadium was completed by summer 2025.

Who is Phillip Beard Stadium named after?

In early 2025, it was decided that the new facility would be named after Phillip Beard, chairman of the City Commission (similar to a mayor), who has held this position continuously since 1979.

At the same time, the playing field was named Dexter Wood Field in honor of Dexter Wood, former Buford Wolves coach (1995–2005) and sports administrator.

When was the new stadium in Buford inaugurated?

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on July 27, 2025. The first game at the new stadium was held on August 14, 2025, when the Buford Wolves defeated the Milton Eagles 20–13 to open the new high school football season.

Before the opening of Phillip Beard Stadium, the Buford Wolves played at Tom Riden Stadium, which opened in 1990 on the grounds of the previous Buford High School campus.

What is Phillip Beard Stadium like?

Designed for American football, the stadium features two stands along the field’s length. The northwest stand is the main one, larger than its counterpart, with distinct upper-tier sections and a tall building rising above it.

The arena is situated on a hill, with the main stand’s structure supported by a slope. Some sections of the main stand are equipped with individual seats, but most of the seating is on benches. The stadium has a capacity of over 10,000 spectators and also includes 15 private suites.

Behind the north end zone, above the main entrance, there is a large video board measuring 82 by 44 feet, with two screens (the exterior screen facing the parking lots). Between the video board and the main playing field, there is a smaller field designed for children.

On the south side, there is a fieldhouse for the players, which also displays the trophies won by the Buford Wolves. Floodlights are located at the stadium’s corners.

With its characteristic brick walls and columns, the stadium reflects the local architectural style, corresponding with the nearby school buildings.

On one of the columns behind the north end zone stands a historic century-old bell moved from the previous Wolves stadium. The bell was originally used by the school to signal the start and end of lessons, and later it was relocated to the stadium, where it marked the team’s victories.

The stadium is located along Buford Highway, across from the new Buford High School campus. It is surrounded by ample parking, and a roundabout with a wolf sculpture in the center sits near the main entrance.

Who uses Phillip Beard Stadium?

The stadium was built primarily for the Buford Wolves, the football team representing Buford High School. At the time of the stadium’s opening, the Wolves were one of the top-ranked teams in Georgia and had won 14 state championships.

It is worth noting that high school football venues of this caliber are rare, especially outside Texas.