A record‑breaking crowd of 25,433 filled Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday as the University of Georgia women's soccer team routed James Madison 6‑0.
Historic milestone marks anniversary
The victory not only set a new NCAA attendance benchmark for women's soccer but also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the U.S. women's national team's gold‑medal win over China at the 1996 Olympics.
Georgia's offensive display was led by forward Honoka Hamano, who netted two goals, while the defense kept a clean sheet against the Dukes.
The previous attendance record for a women's college match stood at 14,410, set during the 1999 NCAA championship between North Carolina and Notre Dame, and the overall NCAA record had been 22,512 for a men's game in 1980.
University of Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks praised the turnout as a testament to the growing popularity of women's sports, noting that the event underscored the importance of investing in female athletes.
The milestone also highlighted the role of institutions like the National Collegiate Athletic Association in promoting women's soccer, with NCAA President Charlie Baker attending the game to celebrate the achievement.