Every fan probably thinks that their NFL team’s stadium is the best overall. But there is a lot of joy to be taken from traveling around to the homes of other teams and taking in the wonderful mix of historic and newly constructed stadiums in the league.
There’s a whole mix of things that go into picking favorite stadiums. For some, it may be the atmosphere, while for others, it's all about price. Bias must be put aside for this as well, and instead, we can lean on the collective view of fans regarding the best NFL stadiums.
From famous old stadiums like Soldier Field and Lambeau Field to the much newer modern behemoths like the impressive Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium (which arguably set the tone for modern venues when it opened in 2009), which of the current stadiums slot into our top five?
What Counts?
Before looking at the list of the top five NFL Stadiums, it’s important to gauge what really matters to fans. Naturally, the amenities themselves play a big part because fans want to ensure that they have a good view of the game, bathrooms are up to scratch, and there’s a good variety of food and drink around.
How easy is it to travel into town and get to the stadium, whether that’s flying in, catching the train, or driving, is also part of the experience. Visiting fans also want to feel safe, even though they are in the minority numbers on an away day. Feeling welcomed by opposing fans is a great part of the traveling experience, and then there is the history of the stadium.
A venue like Soldier Field (which has been around for more than 100 years), is still going to give first-time visitors a special buzz, unlike some of the newer, modern football stadiums. The final thing, and arguably the most important, is pricing. Getting priced out of seats in places like Vegas and Philadelphia is easy, while teams like the Jags and the Saints trend towards the lower-priced average ticket prices.
Lambeau Field Green Bay Packers
Realistically, there was only going to be one name at the top of the list. Lambeau Field delivers an old-school football experience like no other. Often cold enough to freeze your beer before you’ve had a chance to chug it, the stadium was opened in 1957 and has a capacity of over 80,000 people.
Walking through the stadium is like walking through the history of football and mingling with the legends of the game. This is the one stadium that is at the top of most NFL fans’ bucket list of places to visit, but getting tickets isn’t easy.
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles Chargers and Rams
Heading off to warmer California, SoFi Stadium, home to the Chargers and the Rams, cost a cool $5.5 million to construct and it opened in 2020. It’s easily one of the most modern, best fan experiences to be had, including the now-famous wrap-around jumbotron.
The Rams even launched an interactive augmented reality experience of the SoFi Stadium for fans left behind at home. The SoFi Stadium is a beautiful open-air bowl, and it will fittingly be the venue for the 2026 Super Bowl.
US Bank Stadium, Minnesota Vikings
With almost 10 years of calling the US Bank Stadium home now, Minnesota Vikings fans are proudly enjoying life in an amazing stadium. There is a capacity of more than 66,000 at the US Bank Stadium, and while it is a dome venue, it just feels a little different because of its transparent roof.
Another great touch of the stadium, which was so well-thought-out, are the views of the city at both ends of the stadium. It just makes the fans feel more connected to the environment and helps to build a wonderful experience. The stadium feels enormous and, at the same time, intimate with the action on the field. Plus, the volume inside this magnificent stadium is on a scale that you just don’t get elsewhere indoors.
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Chiefs
Opened back in 1972, Arrowhead Stadium is still one of the most visited, and best NFL Stadiums around, with a capacity of more than 76,000. This is a great example of the subjectiveness of the game day experience because this one isn’t so much about the stadium itself, it’s about the unrivalled experience you get there.
The atmosphere is always rocking at the Arrowhead. It’s right up there for the home-field advantage factor, along with the Packers at Lambeau, but the Arrowhead holds the record for being the loudest-ever outdoor stadium.
The one knock against the stadium is that it sits, rather boringly, out in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of an uninspiring parking lot. Still, given that the team has had so much recent success, the Arrowhead Stadium has turned into something of a fortress and a must-visit NFL stadium.
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Colts
There is something wonderfully nostalgic and appealing about the Lucas Oil Stadium. It looks like an old-style school basketball gym with its massive bank of windows behind the end zone. Even though it was built in 2008, the fact that it has a retractable roof just adds to the NFL game day experience.
It’s one of the greatest stadiums for sight lines, and there’s a reason why it’s so highly regarded as a venue for playing Super Bowl host. For anyone coming in from out of town, another reason why the Lucas Oil Stadium checks so many boxes is because of its location.
It’s right in the heart of Indianapolis, so the infrastructure and amenities around it are great. Think the opposite of the Arrowhead Stadium—you can easily walk to bars and restaurants in proximity to the stadium, which makes it overall a great pre- and post-game location, providing plenty of opportunity to mingle with the locals.
Honorable Mentions
Again, the list of the top five NFL stadiums is always subjective, and it’s down to personal tastes more than anything else concrete. There’s no stadium more opulent than the Las Vegas Raiders’ home, the Allegiant Stadium, with its marble floors and air-conditioned tailgate spaces. There’s the ‘Beast Quake” at Lumen Field, the home of the Seattle Seahawks, which gives the team that 12th-man vibe.
At the end of the day, it is very much about personal experience, and there are some amazing NFL stadiums at which to get such experiences for both the die-hard football fans and the casual ones.
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