Johnson Hagood Stadium - The Citadel Bulldogs
Updated: Oct 8
Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Johnson Hagood Stadium 68 Hagood Ave Charleston, SC 29403
Year Opened: 1948
Capacity: 11,500
Precision & Pageantry
The Citadel serves as the Military College for the state of South Carolina. It was founded in 1842 and currently has a Corp of Cadets of 3,793. The school’s athletic teams are known as the Bulldogs, and they play at the NCAA Division 1-AA level (FCS) of competition. The Bulldogs compete in the Southern Conference.
The football home of the Bulldogs is Johnson Hagood Stadium. The stadium is named for a former Brigadier General and Governor of South Carolina. Johnson Hagood graduated from The Citadel in 1847.
The stadium has gone through numerous renovations over the last 80 years. These renovations included the construction of the Altman Athletic Center, which stands behind the South end zone. The lower level of the building houses both the home and visiting team locker rooms, while the upper level is devoted to a clubhouse for major athletic donor activities. The Altman Athletic Center’s architecture mimics the castle like structures found on The Citadel campus.
Most of the seating at Johnson Hagood Stadium is on the west or home side of the field, which went through major renovations over the last few years. There are temporary bleachers on the east side of the field. The school has plans to expand the visitor’s side seating in the future.
Food & Beverage 4
The concessions program at Johnson Hagood Stadium features both permanent stands, as well as a rotating set of food trucks. There are two permanent stands on the west side of the stadium, while the east stands are serviced by a food truck.
The permanent stands mainly feature stadium standards, including chicken fingers ($12), burgers ($12), fries ($5), hot dogs ($5), popcorn ($7), peanuts ($10) candy ($3). Beverages include bottled water ($3) and Pepsi brand sodas ($4).
Fans can order their food and beverages on their phones and will be notified when their order is ready. This minimizes the time away from watching the game and shortens the lines at the concession stands considerably.
Atmosphere 4
There are several unique traditions linked to athletic programs at military institutions. Before each game, the Corp of Cadets marches from the campus to the stadium with the Regimental Band. They then form a corridor for the team to run though before the opening kickoff. Prior to the Homecoming and Parent’s Day games, the Corp of Cadets conducts a full Military Dress Parade on Summerall Field at 11am. The entire Charleston community turns out to watch this pageantry, even if they have no plans to attend the game.
The Citadel has both a human mascot and a pair of live mascots to get the fans charged up. The costumed human Bulldog is known as Spike, and the pair of purebred English Bulldogs are named General and Boo.
The Bulldogs have longstanding rivalries with three opponents... Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Furman University and Charleston Southern. These rivalry games date back to the 1920’s.
The Citadel bookstore operates a spirit shop in the plaza outside Gate 1 during every home game.
Neighborhood 4
Johnson Hagood Stadium is located just south of The Citadel campus in Downtown Charleston. This is a very walkable area located near the east bank of the Ashley River.
The Charleston area is filled with several popular tourist attractions. These include the Battery, Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, the plantations along the river, and the USS Yorktown.
There are several lodging options near the stadium. They include the Charleston Marriott and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Charleston Downtown. Restaurants nearby include Honeysuckle Rose and Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ, which is known for its Low Country style of barbeque.
Johnson Hagood Stadium offers easy access to both Highway 17 and I-26. These thoroughfares lead to plantations along the Ashley River to the west, as well as the Charleston waterfront and the Battery, and Mt. Pleasant/ Patriot’s Point to the east.
Fans 4
The crowds at The Citadel football games are a mix of the Cadet Corp, Citadel alumni, Charleston locals and fans from the visiting teams. As you would expect, it is a well-behaved, but enthusiastic crowd. You will not hear any trash talking from a member of the Cadet Corp, but some alums and Charleston locals are not restricted by the Cadet Code of Conduct.
Tailgating is very popular at The Citadel. The area just outside of the stadium is filled with white and blue tents. Visitors from the opposite team are invited to join as a gesture of Southern hospitality.
The stadium also features a Kids Zone, which opens 90 minutes prior to kickoff. It is called Spike’s Kidet Club Kids Zone.
The stadium’s small capacity gives fans a very intimate feeling for the action on the field. You are much closer to the field, so you hear the hard hits and see the plays develop in a way that is not possible in a mega-sized stadium.
Access 4
Gamedays provide easy access for fans of the Bulldogs. The parking areas open four hours prior to the kickoff, leaving plenty of time for alums and other fans to set up and enjoy tailgating activities. The Will Call window opens two hours prior to the start of the game. Stadium gates and the Altman Center open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
There is a short period prior to each game where Hagood Avenue and Congress Street are shut down. This is to accommodate the Corp of Cadets as they march from the campus into the stadium
Return on Investment 3
Ticket prices range from $36 for red zone seats (between the 20-yard lines), to $30 for goal line seats (20-yard line down through the end zone). Tickets on the east side of the stadium are general admission seats, and cost $22.
Concessions are relatively expensive for the basic foods on the menu.
Out-of-town fans will find that the hotels located near the Citadel are on the expensive side, as Charleston is a major tourist destination.
Parking in one of the stadium’s lots ranges from $10-$20.
Extras 4
Johnson Hagood Stadium hosted both the 1983 and 1984 FCS National Championship games.
Like many other military institutions, The Citadel celebrates kickoffs, field goals and touchdowns with cannon fire. Be prepared… we would hate for you to spill your drink!
There is a wonderful selfie opportunity in front of the Bulldog statue in the northwest corner of the stadium. The statue was a gift from The Citadel Class of 1968.
A new multi-panel videoboard was installed in 2021 thanks to a gift from the Class of 1973. The largest panel measures 26 feet high X 51 feet wide, with the smaller panels measuring 15 feet high X 13 feet wide each.
Final Thoughts
The Citadel’s home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium are a unique blend of military pageantry, the charm of Charleston culture and the love for college football in the South. Win or lose, it is an experience you won’t forget.
