Why does Arkansas play football games in Little Rock?

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Razorbacks are preparing for their season opener on Thursday night against UAPB in Little Rock for what could be one of the last games at War Memorial Stadium.

So, how did Arkansas start playing some of its home games in the state’s capital instead of inside the confines of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium?

Where to park at War Memorial Stadium

Early days of Razorback football in Little Rock

Arkansas played its first game at War Memorial Stadium on September 18, 1948, against Abilene Christian University. Since that game, the Razorbacks have played 218 more at War Memorial Stadium and become the second home for the team.

Chuck Barrett, the voice of Razorback football, said in Tuesday’s episode of the Chuck and Bo Show on ESPN Arkansas that the program started playing games in Little Rock so that farmers in eastern Arkansas were able to attend the games. They could farm in the mornings, go to the games in the evening and be back home for church on Sunday morning.

Barrett cited some more reasons why Arkansas played in Little Rock. Those were Razorback Stadium had no lights and Interstate 49 did not exist until the 1990s, which made travel to Northwest Arkansas tricky.

He continued, saying Razorback Stadium used to host day games while War Memorial would host the night games.

Turn of the century brings debate

Up until the early 2000s, the capacity at War Memorial Stadium was greater than Razorback Stadium’s.

Around that same time, the “Great Stadium Debate” began. In 2000, Athletic Director Frank Broyles announced the program would move one additional game from Little Rock back to Fayetteville.

In some previous years, Little Rock would host two, three, and even four games in a season. In at least one season since Arkansas played its first game in the state’s capital, Arkansas played more home games in Little Rock than in Fayetteville.

In 2001, Razorback Stadium expanded its capacity by 19,000 seats and that fueled discussion about whether or not Arkansas should play games in Little Rock altogether.

“Critics note the school pays the War Memorial Stadium commission $75,000 per game to play there while the stadium also collects concessions and parking fees — all lost revenue when the Razorbacks didn’t play in Fayetteville,” the Associated Press said.

The future of games in Little Rock

Hogs looking forward to Little Rock game, future uncertain

Debate grew in 2018 after a $160 million expansion to Razorback Stadium and a contract with War Memorial Stadium nearing its end after a game against Ole Miss. However, the contract was extended through 2024.

During games in Little Rock, the Razorbacks could not host recruits due to the game being off campus and multiple former players have expressed their dislike of playing in Little Rock.

In 2021, the university signed an amendment to the agreement and extended the contract through 2025, concluding with a game against Arkansas State.

After that game, the future of playing in Little Rock is up in the air.

Head Coach Sam Pittman was asked during his media availability ahead of the game against UAPB. He mentioned that the Razorbacks would play just one of its five games in Fayetteville with the Little Rock game, road games at Oklahoma State and Auburn and the game against Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium. The September 14 game against UAB is the only Fayetteville game.

“Half of the concern is we’re going to play in our stadium once in the first five games… I just don’t know that it’s fair to the fans,” Pittman said.

He continued by saying he thought a lot of conversation needed to be had before 2026 about whether or not the contract needed to be extended.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.