Hancock Whitney Stadium and the Senior Bowl

Hancock Whitney Stadium is a $78 million stadium on the University of South Alabama campus in Mobile that opened September 12, 2020, with a capacity of 25,450 [1]. It replaced the city-owned Ladd–Peebles Stadium, where South Alabama had played since 2009, and has hosted the Senior Bowl and the 68 Ventures Bowl since the 2021 editions [1][2]. The Senior Bowl, an all-star game for NFL draft prospects, has been played in Mobile since 1951 [2].

The stadium

The stadium opened with a game against Tulane, with 2020 capacity capped at 6,000 because of COVID-19 [1]. It is named for Hancock Whitney, a bank holding company based in Gulfport, Mississippi, and its field is called Abraham A. Mitchell Field for a major donor [1]. The Jaguars had a 20–16 home record through 2025, and the record attendance of 25,450 was reached in October 2022 and October 2024 [1]. Features include 11 suites, 42 loge boxes and a Daktronics video board [1]. See University of South Alabama.

The Senior Bowl

The first Senior Bowl was played January 7, 1950, at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, with South beating North 22–13 [2]. It moved to Mobile in 1951 and was played at Ladd–Peebles Stadium through the 2020 edition [2]. A week-long practice precedes the game and is attended by NFL coaches, general managers and scouts [2]. NBC broadcast the first nationally televised game in 1958, ESPN televised it from 1982 to 2006 and NFL Network since 2007 [2]. Players were last paid in 1988 [2]. Pat Sullivan, Auburn’s 1971 Heisman winner, is the only Heisman winner named Senior Bowl MVP [2]. The game has raised more than $7.8 million for charity, and South led the series 35–30–3 through 2026 [2]. See Mobile.

The stadium

Hancock Whitney Stadium, on the University of South Alabama campus in Mobile, seats 25,450, a record reached twice. Groundbreaking was August 6, 2018, and it opened September 12, 2020, at a cost of million. It is named for the bank holding company, and the field is Abraham A. Mitchell Field after a major donor.[3]

Tenants and bowls

The South Alabama Jaguars have played there since 2020, replacing Ladd-Peebles Stadium, about 9 miles away, where they played from 2009. The Senior Bowl has been held there since the 2021 edition after nearly 70 years at Ladd-Peebles, and the 68 Ventures Bowl since 2021 after 22 years at Ladd-Peebles.[3]

FAQs

When did the Senior Bowl move to Mobile? 1951 [2].

Who plays at Hancock Whitney Stadium? South Alabama Jaguars football [1].

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Hancock Whitney Stadium
2. Wikipedia: Senior Bowl
3. Wikipedia: Hancock Whitney Stadium

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue