The Risks of Game Day — Exploring Premises Liability at Sporting Events

The Risks of Game Day — Exploring Premises Liability for Injuries at Sporting Events in Georgia

Attending sporting events can be an exhilarating experience—cheering on your favorite team, enjoying the camaraderie of fellow fans, and soaking up the charged atmosphere in stadiums and arenas across Georgia. However, sometimes a day at the ballpark or basketball court turns hazardous due to unsafe conditions or negligent conduct by property owners or event organizers. If you or a loved one has been injured at a sporting event in Georgia, understanding your rights under premises liability law is crucial.

Going to a ballgame or match should be all cheers, no injuries. But crowded concourses, spilled drinks, flying objects, and rowdy crowds can turn a fun day into a serious incident. If you were hurt at a Georgia sporting event — whether at a professional stadium, a college arena, a local high-school field, or a private training facility — you may have a premises liability claim. This article explains how Georgia law views these cases, what defenses venues raise, and what to do next.

Common Injuries at Sporting Events and Examples of Liability

Injuries at sporting events can range from minor scrapes to life-altering harm. Examples include:

• Slip and Falls. Wet or debris-covered floors, especially in concourses and restrooms.
• Falls from Seating Areas. Broken or missing railings, loose seats, or overcrowded aisles.
• Being Struck by Objects. Foul balls, flying equipment, or unsecured signage.
• Assault by Other Attendees. Inadequate security leading to fights or attacks.
• Food Poisoning or Burns. Negligence by concession vendors.

Projectiles and “Assumption of Risk” at Games

Spectator-injury cases often involve balls, bats, or pucks entering the stands. Georgia courts acknowledge the idea of “assumption of risk” in certain situations involving spectators. They have supported defense victories when the specific risks were clear and obvious to the fans. A notable example is Dalton v. Jones, involving the Atlanta Braves, where summary judgment for defendants was upheld based on assumption of risk.

However, Georgia has not adopted a blanket “Baseball Rule” that automatically shields teams so long as there’s netting behind home plate — a rule some other states use. Reporting and commentary around recent Georgia cases reflect that courts here do not apply an automatic baseball-rule immunity, and claims can proceed based on the venue’s broader duty of care and the specific facts.

Takeaway: Georgia determines whether assumption of risk bars a projectile injury based on the specific facts of each case: Where were you seated? What warnings and protections were in place? Was the hazard beyond what an ordinary fan would expect?

Negligent Security at Sports Venues

Venues must take reasonable steps to protect invitees from foreseeable criminal acts (fights, assaults). Georgia’s Supreme Court has emphasized a “totality of the circumstances” approach to foreseeability — not a rigid “prior identical crimes only” test. Evidence can include crime levels, prior incidents, security staffing, and policies.

Illustration: A Georgia appellate summary involving a fight at the Falcons’ stadium shows how assumption of risk may affect negligence claims tied to brawls, but courts analyze intentional torts (like assault) differently. Again, facts matter: crowd control, alcohol management, and response time are key issues.

Alcohol Service and Dram Shop Issues Inside Stadiums

If intoxication plays a role (overservice at the park leading to a fight or a post-game DUI crash), Georgia’s Dram Shop/Social Host statute may apply. Liability can arise if alcohol is knowingly served to a minor or to someone noticeably intoxicated knowing they will soon be driving. Otherwise, furnishing alcohol to an adult typically does not create liability.

Government-Owned Venues — Special Notice and Immunity Rules

Public entities own or operate many Georgia sports facilities. Claims against them trigger sovereign (governmental) immunity and strict pre-suit notice rules:

• Cities (municipal corporations). Written ante litem notice within 6 months, stating time/place, extent of injury, alleged negligence, and a specific demand amount.
• Counties. “Presentation” of claims within 12 months (a lawsuit served within 12 months can sometimes suffice).
• State-owned facilities/agencies (Georgia Tort Claims Act). Written notice within 12 months with detailed content and service requirements. The venue restricts access, and statutes provide exceptions and limitations.

These deadlines are in addition to Georgia’s general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury. Missing an ante-litem notice can end a case even if you’re within two years.