Dangerous heat waves are turning college football stadiums into health hazards for fans

College football stadiums across the South are becoming increasingly dangerous for fans as rising temperatures create sweltering conditions that can be 10-16 degrees hotter inside the venues than outside. A comprehensive investigation by Inside Climate News found that concrete surfaces in some stadiums reach over 130°F, while heat indices regularly exceed 115°F during day games.

The health consequences are alarming. Auburn University averaged more than 100 emergency medical calls per game in 2024, with the majority being heat-related incidents. At the University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium, emergency responders handle 60-65 medical calls per game, with up to 75% related to heat during afternoon contests. Fans are suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion, fainting, and other serious heat-related illnesses that require immediate medical attention.

The problem stems from stadium design and game scheduling. These massive concrete structures trap heat from over 100,000 spectators, artificial turf that can be 20-30 degrees hotter than air temperature, and limited air circulation. Sun-exposed seating areas can be 10-15 degrees warmer than shaded sections. Meanwhile, alcohol sales at games compound the risk by increasing dehydration and impairing fans’ ability to recognize heat illness symptoms.

As climate change intensifies, the situation will worsen. Federal climate models predict average maximum temperatures in cities like Tuscaloosa will rise 5°F by the 2040s. While universities have added cooling stations and medical staff, researchers say the most effective solutions—shifting game times away from midday or moving the season later in the year—remain unlikely due to the massive financial interests in college football. Without major changes, experts warn that preventable heat-related deaths at stadiums may be inevitable.