Take to the skies over Vine City, directly above M.L.K. Jr. Drive, and you’ll find what could be the oddest architectural juxtaposition in Atlanta today: a skyline of shimmering new apartment high-rises, hotels, construction cranes, and often-packed sports coliseums set against, in the foreground, what can only be described as crumbing, modern-day urban America ruins. 

For people new to Atlanta (or natives who forgot it’s there), historic Herndon Stadium was built a few years after World War II and remains the only double-sided stadium among the lauded HBCUs of Atlanta University Center. The 15,000-seat venue was named for Alonzo Herndon—founder of Atlanta Life Insurance Company and the city’s first Black millionaire—and hosted many notable events during a nearly 70-year run. 

Those included Olympic field hockey finals for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. A multitude of concerts, including one that became a live Ray Charles album. One of heavyweight boxing legend Joe Louis’ bouts. The home turf of professional women’s soccer team Atlanta Beat. And, according to Atlanta History Center, a filming location for the 2006 football flick, “We Are Marshall.”

Looking north across the ghostly grounds today, toward English Avenue, Georgia Tech, and Buckhead beyond.

Herndon Stadium's Sunset Avenue location, due west of Atlanta's largest sports coliseum today. Google Maps

But today, a decade after Morris Brown College sold the stadium to counter debt as it grappled with financial problems, the historic grounds of Herndon Stadium have devolved into little more than “ruin porn,” a vast graffiti canvas, and a popular target for thrill-seeking urban explorers on YouTube. (The same can said of another Clark Atlanta University property—historic, fire-ravaged Gaines Hall next door—minus the graffiti.) 

The stadium property has been abandoned and largely neglected since 2014. A Change.org petition five years ago hoping to spark stadium renovation efforts has gathered just 150 signatures. A similar campaign started last year is doing a little better. 

Fresh hope came in 2023, when Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos, who represents Vine City, and FIFA officials spoke excitedly about tentative plans to revive the stadium and open it in time for Atlanta’s month of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches—all pending approval by Clark Atlanta officials. 

Herndon Stadium—situated less than a mile from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where World Cup matches will be played—could host men's and women’s friendly matches and training activities during Atlanta’s World Cup summer, Amos said at the time.

Clark Atlanta University's historic Gaines Hall, at right, peers over the empty stadium but also remains in ruins.

Condition of Herndon Stadium's graffiti and glass-covered western stands and press box today.

Those World Cup matches kick off in Atlanta in just 424 days. And at Herndon Stadium, it’s still crickets—or worse.  

Swing up to the gallery for our latest installment of aerial tours over Atlanta, high above the storied but ailing Westside stadium. 

...

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  

• Vine City news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)