War Memorial Without the Hogs: Holding On, Moving On
War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock may host its final Razorback football game on Sept. 6 against Arkansas State. The historic venue faces an uncertain future without UA football.
For four decades, War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock was the beating heart of Razorback football, the place where many of the Hogs’ greatest moments unfolded. Fans still remember the “Miracle on Markham” in 2002, a stunning comeback win over LSU that remains etched in Arkansas sports history. Long before that, in 1975, the stadium witnessed a 31–6 rout of No. 2 Texas A&M, giving legendary coach Frank Broyles his final Cotton Bowl berth.
On September 6, the Razorbacks will return to the War Memorial to face Arkansas State. But this game could be the last. With no matchups scheduled there for 2026, the stadium may never again host University of Arkansas football.
A Shared History, Now Fading
Since 1948, Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville and War Memorial in Little Rock shared the program’s biggest games, giving fans in both regions a chance to watch the team in person. But over time, the balance shifted.
Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville grew to 76,212 seats, offering better facilities, more luxury suites, and stronger revenue streams. Fans traveling from across the state could be accommodated more easily, and Fayetteville became the preferred destination.
Little Rock fans pushed to keep games in the centrally located capital, but the financial advantages of Fayetteville proved decisive. The number of games in Little Rock dwindled, replaced by short-term contracts, until the arrangement all but ended. Now, War Memorial’s role as a Razorback home is nearly gone.
What Comes Next for the War Memorial?
The stadium’s future is uncertain. Without Razorbacks games, it will lose much of the revenue and prestige that once defined it. Yet it remains deeply tied to Arkansas culture, with decades of memories that span generations.
For central, southern, and northeastern Arkansas, the idea of a War Memorial without the Hogs is hard to imagine. Still, that transition has already been underway. The stadium took another blow when Bryant and Benton high schools moved their rivalry matchup, the Salt Bowl, back to their home fields. For two decades, War Memorial hosted the game, often drawing more than 20,000 fans.
Despite the losses, War Memorial’s accessible location and solid facilities keep it positioned as a strong venue. It remains capable of hosting soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and other football contests, along with a range of community events such as charity walks, concerts, crawfish boils, beer festivals, movie nights, and marching band competitions.
A Concert Legacy Waiting to Be Renewed
Concerts are again a focus for stadium officials, and history gives them plenty of inspiration. Nearly thirty years ago, in 1995, Billy Joel and Elton John sold out the stadium, performing before 41,274 fans and generating more than $1.6 million for promoter Cellar Door Concerts.
Over the years, War Memorial welcomed major acts including the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Elton John, and Billy Joel. The last large-scale music event came in 2017, when Guns N’ Roses drew 25,000 fans. Since then, the schedule has remained open, leaving the venue waiting for its next big night.
A Place That Endures
Whatever the future holds, the War Memorial will always carry a special place in Arkansas sports history. For longtime Razorback fans, it will remain the site of dramatic wins, unforgettable plays, and magic moments that tied the state together.
The stadium may be moving on to a new chapter, but the memories endure.
