AdventHealth Stadium - Rome Emperors
- Gregory Koch
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
AdventHealth Stadium 755 Braves Blvd Rome, GA 30161
Year Opened: 2003
Capacity: 5,105
Hail To The Emperors!
Rome, Georgia, has been home to Minor League Baseball since 2003, when the Macon Braves relocated to the city to become the Rome Braves. The team moved into AdventHealth Stadium, where they continued competing in the South Atlantic League. Following the 2023 season, the Braves rebranded as the Rome Emperors, with the logo being an emperor penguin in the outfit of a Roman emperor. Notable Braves to have come through Rome include Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Junior, and Brian McCann. Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, and John Smoltz all made rehab appearances here as well at various points in their careers.
Food & Beverage 4
The Rome Emperors offer a good variety of food for sale at AventHealth Stadium. In addition to all the classics like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders, fans can get tacos or nachos with a wide variety of toppings. Boiled peanuts, a southern specialty, are available in both traditional and Cajun varieties. There are some specialty items as well, like the Brutus Burger, topped with bacon and special sauce.
Atmosphere 3
AdventHealth Stadium is over 20 years old, and while it still feels like a modern ballpark, it lacks many of the aspects that feel standard in newer stadiums. Most notably, the concourse offers no view of the field, meaning fans can't watch the game while waiting on line at the concession stand or take shelter from the heat on a hot Georgia afternoon. All seats are blue chairbacks and offer a good view of the action as well as the large scoreboard in the outfield.
The Emperors have a mascot named Julius, who is an emperor penguin and roams the stands throughout the game interacting with fans. There is also Rome the Gnome, who seems to only exist so fans can boo him, and he is supposed to be a fan of the other team. If a mascot needs to lose to a kid in a race, Rome the Gnome will be the one to do that. There are occasional contests between innings, although they do not take place at every break like at many minor league stadiums.
Neighborhood 3
AdventHealth Stadium is located near Veterans Memorial Highway, a major road running around the perimeter of the City of Rome. There are only a few businesses in the immediate vicinity - a pizzeria, a coffee shop, and a deli. Downtown Rome is only about three miles away and offers a few more options, including numerous barbecue joints. You will find restaurants ranging from Mexican to Japanese to traditional Southern cuisine. Although Rome is one of the smaller cities in the South Atlantic League, this is still a decent enough city.
Fans 2
Attendance at Rome Emperors games has declined significantly in recent years. The team ranks dead last in the South Atlantic League by a significant margin, being lucky to draw a thousand fans a game. Even those fans in attendance are unfortunately not particularly involved. The end result is a game in a near-empty stadium in near silence. This is not a good look for the club.
Access 2
Even getting to Rome is difficult as it is about 30 miles from the nearest interstate highway, I-75. Depending on where you are coming from, it may be quicker to drive on rural back roads, where you can usually make good time if you don't mind a bunch of hills and curves and the occasional traffic light when you come to a town. Once you get to the ballpark, you can park for $7, payable by credit card only. Given the small crowds, you should not have to walk very far from your car.
Once you get in the stadium, the concourse is narrow and can be cramped despite the small crowds. Additionally, there is no signage on the concourse for individual sections, so you have to go through one of the portals to the seating area and try to find your way from there. Not all sections are accessible from all portals, so you may have to leave and come back once or twice to find your way. Thankfully the ushers will direct you if you get lost.
Return on Investment 4
Any seat in AdventHealth Stadium will cost $18.55 including Ticketmaster fees. For $2 less, you can get general admission seating on the hill in right field and bring your own blanket or sit on the grass. Concession prices are reasonable, and the parking cost is typical for this area. Overall, a Rome Emperors game is an above average value, which makes the small crowds even more disappointing.
Extras 3
Make sure to look for the staff and ushers handing out free programs - they may even come to you while you are sitting in the stands.
The kids' play area in right field keeps children entertained during the game.
The fan plaza behind home plate as you come in features pregame music and games as well as statues and sculptures that serve as unique photo ops.
Final Thoughts
Sadly, the Rome Emperors are not drawing anywhere near the crowds they used to, and the experience is suffering for it. There are rumors the team may soon be on its way out of town, and that certainly has not helped matters. With the parent club in Atlanta barely an hour away, one would expect better than this. Overall, while there is so much potential for the Rome Emperors experience, the team has not been drawing the support it needs to live up to it.
