Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is one of the most unique venues in college football. From its colorful nickname to its colorful walls, The Swamp is a place unlike any other. Its intimidating presence is furthered by the way the way the stadium was built. Fans at BGHS are seated right on top of the field; this keeps the noise level high and makes for some excellent seating options.
Best Sideline Views
While much of the stadium differentiates itself from the standard college football venue, sideline seating does not. Each sideline contains 90 rows of bleacher seats that are separated into lower and upper sections. Given the straight-forward nature of sideline seating, the best views will come from seats located closest to the 50-yardline.
The best seats for being close to the field and maintaining an unobstructed view will come in rows 24-31 of sections between the 20 yardlines (even-numbered sections 6-12 and 34-40). These rows have enough elevation to see over the players on the sideline, and they are just below the section entrance tunnel. Many would consider these the absolute best seats at at Florida Gators game.
If the rows described above are unavailable or out of your price range, consider seats in a higher row of the west sideline. While comparable seats are available in the east stands, the west sideline is the less-sunny side of the field. On a bright day you won't have to worry about glare or over-heating. Our favorite seats in the upper sections include rows 40-58 in sections 5, 7, 13 and 15 and rows 60+ in sections 9 and 11. These spots are great for beating the heat and getting a comfortable, elevated view of the game.
Best Corner and Endzone Seating
While sideline seating is run-of-the-mill, The Swamp's most intriguing seating options are located in the upper levels of the north and south endzones. These sections have the best views of the videoboards, they hang over the lower level, and they have the highest concentration of chairback seating.
One of our top picks for getting a great deal comes from sections 59, 61 and 63. The first ten rows in these sections provide tremendous value for a variety of reasons. The seats themselves are chairback, the sun sets behind these sections and the north videoboard is easily viewed. But what makes these seats even better are the sitelines. These sections are wonderfully angled towards midfield so you can take in the game in a single glance. The sections also hang over the sections below, making you feel like you're sitting on top of the field instead of pushed far away.
Among sections in the north endzone, the Touchdown Terrace seats (200s) are highly lauded for their status as club seats. In addition to special perks and amenities, these seats also hang over the lower level and keep you engaged in the action. We like sections 218 and 220 the best, as they'll do a good job of keeping you out of the sun and provide sitelines that aren't disrupted by the goalposts.
Another area of the stadium where we find tremendous value is in the first ten rows of sections 322-325. While it can be difficult (i.e.: impossible) to see the endzone from the upper rows in these sections, the lower rows are simply awesome. You'll be close to the entrance tunnel, you'll be seated on a stadium-style chair with a back and armrests, and you'll have the best views of the stadium's bigger videoboards. The first ten rows in these sections are often priced $20-$50 higher than the upper rows - but the cost difference is well worth it. (Just keep in mind that these sections get very sunny!)
- Great elevated view between the 20 yardlines
- Best views of players on the near sideline and far sideline
- Close to the section entrance tunnel without the distractions of being too close
- Excellent elevated views between the 35 yardlines
- The first of the midfield seats to get shade
- Just a short walk down the steps to the entry tunnel
- These sections hang over the lower level, bringing you close to the field
- Great angle to the field, and a decent view of the north scoreboard
- Sun sets at your back instead of in your face
- Head-on view of the stadium's largest videoboard
- See the game like a quarterback with your downfield view
- First ten rows in these sections are below the entry tunnel and hang over the 200 level
- Very good angle to the 50 yardline from a perfect elevation
- Near head-on view of the south videoboard
- These sections are less sunny than comparable sections 227 and 229
- Elevated views from midfield
- Comfortable indoor seating