Turner Stadium in Atlanta, GA: What It Is, Where It Is, and How It’s Used Today

If you search for “Turner Stadium Atlanta GA,” you’re most likely thinking about Turner Field, the longtime home of the Atlanta Braves, or you’ve heard people mention a “Turner” sports venue in Atlanta and want to know what exists now. The name has changed, the use has changed, and that’s where confusion usually starts.

This guide breaks down exactly what Turner-related stadiums and facilities are in Atlanta today, how they’re used, and what you can expect if you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning an event or game day nearby.

Turner Field vs. Center Parc Stadium vs. Lakewood Stadium (Hank M. Turner Stadium)

In Atlanta, two different sports venues get mixed up when people say “Turner Stadium”:

1. The former Turner Field – now Center Parc Stadium (Georgia State University’s football stadium)
2. Lakewood Stadium, officially Hank M. Turner Stadium – a high school and community sports facility in South Atlanta

Here’s a quick comparison:

When Atlanta locals talk about Turner, they usually mean one of these two. Which one matters a lot depending on whether you’re going to a college game, a high school match, or just trying to see what happened to the old Braves ballpark.

The Former Turner Field: Now Center Parc Stadium

What happened to Turner Field?

Turner Field was the Atlanta Braves’ home ballpark from 1997 through 2016. Before that, the core structure was built as Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

After the Braves moved to their new park in Cobb County, the stadium in Atlanta didn’t disappear—it was converted into a smaller-capacity football stadium for Georgia State University (GSU).

Today, the old Turner Field site is called:

• Center Parc Stadium
• It is owned and operated by Georgia State University

So if you’re looking for “Turner Stadium Atlanta GA” because you remember the Braves era, you’re now actually looking for Center Parc Stadium in the Summerhill neighborhood.

Where Center Parc Stadium is located

General area:

• Just south of downtown Atlanta
• In the Summerhill neighborhood
• Near the interchange of I-75/85 and I-20

This area has been redeveloped with new apartments, retail, and restaurants, making it more of a year-round destination than just a game-day spot.

What the stadium is used for now

Center Parc Stadium is primarily used for:

• Georgia State Panthers football home games
• University events and athletic activities
• Occasional concerts, special events, and community gatherings

The former baseball configuration is gone. The field and seating were reworked to fit American football, with capacity reduced from traditional MLB size to a scale more fitting for a college program.

Attending a game or event at the old Turner Field site

If you’re heading to an event at the former Turner Field (Center Parc Stadium):

Parking & transportation tips:

• There are surface lots around the stadium and in the surrounding Summerhill development.
• Many Atlanta residents prefer to drive and park for GSU games.
• If you’re using MARTA, the nearest rail stops are usually:
  • Georgia State Station (Blue/Green Line)
  • Five Points Station, then a short rideshare or bus ride
• On big game days, expect traffic delays near the I-75/85 connector and around Capitol Avenue and Hank Aaron Drive.

Nearby food & hangout options:

• The Summerhill commercial strip along Georgia Avenue has become a popular spot for:
  • Casual restaurants
  • Cafés
  • Bars and breweries
• Many fans now arrive a bit early to eat or grab a drink before walking to the stadium.

Hank M. Turner Stadium (Lakewood Stadium) in South Atlanta

When some Atlantans say “Turner Stadium”, they’re actually referring to Hank M. Turner Stadium, better known to many locally as Lakewood Stadium.

What Hank M. Turner Stadium is

Hank M. Turner Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor stadium used mainly for:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) football games
• High school track & field events
• Band competitions and community sports events

It’s part of the public school sports infrastructure, not a professional or major college venue.

Where it’s located

General area:

• In the Lakewood Heights / South Atlanta area
• South of downtown, near the Lakewood Fairgrounds and Lakewood Amphitheatre (often called Lakewood or by its sponsored name)

Because it’s further from central tourist paths, many visitors don’t know this facility exists unless they’re attending a high school football game, a youth league event, or a school-related activity.

What to expect if you’re going to Hank M. Turner Stadium

If you’re going to a game or event:

• Audience: Mostly local students, families, and community members
• Facilities: Outdoor seating, press box, field, track; more functional than flashy
• Parking: Typically stadium-adjacent surface parking, but it can fill up for rivalry games or special events
• Security & entry: Expect APS-style event security, bag checks, and school-oriented rules (no alcohol, etc.)

For Atlantans, this stadium is primarily part of the high school football and track scene, not a tourist destination.

How to Tell Which “Turner Stadium” Someone Means

If you hear “Turner Stadium Atlanta GA,” clarify a few quick details:

1. Is it a college game or high school game?

   • College (Georgia State football) → They almost certainly mean the old Turner Field, now Center Parc Stadium.
   • High school / APS event → They probably mean Hank M. Turner Stadium (Lakewood Stadium).

2. Is it near downtown / Summerhill or farther south?

   • Near downtown/Summerhill → Center Parc Stadium (former Turner Field).
   • Farther south near Lakewood → Hank M. Turner Stadium.

3. Is someone talking about the old Braves stadium?

   • That’s also Center Parc Stadium, on the old Turner Field footprint.

Visiting the Former Turner Field Area as a Baseball Fan

If you’re in Atlanta and remember Turner Field as the Braves’ home, you may want to see how the site looks now.

What you’ll find:

• A football-focused stadium rather than a baseball park
• A more connected neighborhood feel, with:
  • New housing
  • Restaurants and retail along Georgia Avenue
• Some subtle nods to the site’s sports history, though the experience is now centered on Georgia State University and the surrounding community.

For a more Braves-focused visit, most fans now go to the team’s current ballpark in Cobb County, but the Atlanta in-town site remains relevant as an example of Olympic and MLB infrastructure being reused.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Here are a few quick pointers to make sure you end up at the right “Turner” venue and have a smoother experience:

1. Double-check the event listing

• Look for keywords like:
  • “Georgia State University,” “Panthers,” or “Center Parc Stadium” → Former Turner Field/Summerhill
  • “Atlanta Public Schools,” specific high schools, or “Lakewood Stadium” → Hank M. Turner Stadium (high school facility)

2. Plan your route by neighborhood, not just name

When mapping directions:

• If you see Summerhill, downtown, or streets like Hank Aaron Drive → You’re headed toward the old Turner Field area.
• If you see Lakewood, South Atlanta, or near the Lakewood fairgrounds or amphitheater → That’s Hank M. Turner Stadium.

3. Check game-day details ahead of time

Policies can vary by event, but it’s wise to look up:

• Bag rules
• Parking fees and allowed lots
• Gate opening times
• Cash vs. card payments at concessions and parking

College events and APS events may have different security and entry rules, so check the organizer’s info if you’re unsure.

Key Takeaways for “Turner Stadium Atlanta GA”

• There is no current major venue officially named “Turner Stadium” in Atlanta.
• The former Turner Field (Braves home) is now Center Parc Stadium, used by Georgia State University for football and events, in the Summerhill neighborhood just south of downtown.
• Hank M. Turner Stadium, often just called Turner Stadium locally, is a high school and community sports facility in the Lakewood/South Atlanta area, associated with Atlanta Public Schools.
• When you see or hear “Turner Stadium Atlanta GA,” it almost always refers to one of these two places, so checking the type of event and the neighborhood will quickly tell you which one you need.