Ranked: 33 NFL Stadiums
Are you ready for a football experience like no other? The most thrilling stadiums are waiting to blow your mind, and we're taking you there! From feeling like the players on the field are within arms reach to having it feel like an exciting island adventure reaching the stadium. Pack your bags and get ready because these exhilarating arenas will have you planning game-day trips unlike any before. Comment and let us know whether you agree or disagree!
BEST - M&T Bank Stadium (Ravens)
Even though M&T Bank Stadium, or "Ravens Stadium," was opened back in 1998, it's currently rated as one of fans' favorite NFL stadiums. It ranks high for accessibility, for visitor amenities, and for concessions.
Also, the Ravens tend to play really well on their home turf, which helps the stadium's popularity among fans. Kevin Cowherd of the Baltimore Sun wrote, "Bank Stadium ranks as the NFL's toughest venue for opposing teams.... [O]ver the past 10 years, the Ravens have the NFL's biggest differential between home (.771) and road (.415) winning percentage."
WORST - FirstEnergy Stadium (Browns)
Located right by the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, Lake Erie, and all the other great things in downtown Cleveland, you might think FirstEnergy Stadium is another Ohio gem. But you'd be mistaken. In fact, many people call this stadium the "Factory of Sadness." Ouch.
Some even go so far as to call this one of the absolute worst home fields in the league. It's outdated and is blasted with frigid air from the lake in cooler months. At least tickets to see the Browns play here are usually pretty inexpensive.
BEST - State Farm Stadium (Cardinals)
State Farm Stadium was ranked the 8th-best stadium in the country by the Big Lead. "From epic playoff games to epic Super Bowls. State Farm Stadium has just about seen it all and thrived. With a retractable roof and retractable field, it's one of the more versatile stadiums in the country."
The biggest drawback to this great stadium is transportation -- it's pretty far out from Phoenix and hard to get to via public transportation. State Farm Stadium opened in 2006.
WORST - Ford Field (Lions)
If the Detroit Lions could find sustained success, it's possible that Ford Field would a better place to enjoy a football game. As it stands, there's nothing that sets the stadium apart from others, and space is limited in the parking lot for tailgating.
With a maximum capacity of 65,000, Ford Field somehow feels larger, especially with empty seats. Outside, despite limited space, the venue has helped rejuvenate the surrounding downtown Detroit area.
BEST - Empower Field At Mile High (Broncos)
Throughout its many name changes over the years, the Broncos' home turf is consistently a fan favorite, primarily due to its unique atmosphere. It also boasts one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL.
ESPN named it as the ninth-best stadium in the league. "Denver ranked right in the middle in many categories, but it does have plenty of character: The Mile High Salute, the 'In-com-plete' chant; there's even a horse that parades around the field," read the positive review.
WORST - NRG Stadium (Texans)
The Houston Texans' home stadium might not be a dud with most fans, which explains how it hosted a Super Bowl and several Final Fours over the years, but it doesn't offer too much excitement, either.
Although it's been maintained to look and feel modern and up-to-date (including its restrooms), there's not much to do around the stadium and traffic can be a nightmare to get through. Overall, it's not close to the worst but has a lot of newer stadiums to compete with these days.
BEST - Lincoln Financial Field, Home Of The Eagles
Opened in 2003, Lincoln Financial wasn't properly showcased until Doug Pedersen came to town and led the Eagles franchise to its first Super Bowl title. Of course, the fans always packed the stadium, now they just have that extra decibel of pride they've been seeking for so long.
The stadium itself has plenty of room for tailgating, is easy to get to, and is packed with amenities. The only reason you might not want to go is if you're a visiting fan. Home fans can be brutal here!
WORST - New Era Field, Home Of The Bills
More outdated than anything, New Era Field is a relic of an older NFL era. Built from cement, the stadium opened in 1973 and holds 71,000 screaming fans. For many, the tailgate outside is more exciting, though.
Inside, especially once winter hits, temperatures become frigid, making fans uninterested in going to games unless the team is winning. In more recent years, there have been rumors that the Bills were looking to leave Buffalo entirely, but so far nothing has happened.
BEST - Gillette Stadium, Home Of The Patriots
The only problem we can think of with Gillette Stadium is that it can be hard for fans to get to. When your team has won six Super Bowls since the stadium opened in 2002, however, fans find a way.
New England always has a packed house thanks to what might be the greatest run in modern sports history. As long as Tom Brady is under center, fans will show up and they will be as loud as possible.
WORST - Raymond James Stadium, Home Of The Buccaneers
While not the worst of the bunch, Raymond James Stadium, or "Ray Jay" to fans, gets low marks for being pretty ordinary. For starters, it's not located in downtown Tampa which limits pre-game activities.
Opened in 1998, the stadium has hosted Super Bowls, national championships, and much more. The Bucs' home does have a unique look, as it houses a giant pirate ship replica. This gives fans some fun photo opportunities, helping to make up for the lack of nearby attractions.
WORST - Bank Of America Stadium (Panthers)
Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, used to be one of the best venues in the NFL.
However, years of renovations have largely failed to keep it feeling like a modern facility.
BEST - Lambeau Field, Home Of The Packers
Not only are the Green Bay Packers one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFL, but they also play in one of the league's most iconic stadiums. Lambeau Field originally opened in 1957, and in 2019 has a maximum capacity of 81,435.
Fans at Lambeau are relentless when it comes to creating a home-field advantage. That, along with the frigid cold of Wisconsin, make this stadium a nightmare for everyone except Packers' fans.
WORST - Levi's Stadium, Home Of The 49ers
Fans wish they could love Levi's Stadium. It's the most high-tech stadium the NFL has ever seen and it looks amazing. Unfortunately, it's located 40 miles south of San Francisco and reflects the heat of the sun onto the crowd.
If the 49ers had a better track record in recent years, it's possible we could overlook these problems. The truth is, we don't even know the last time San Francisco had a packed house.
BEST - Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts)
The Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Colts, has a climate-controlled interior. Thanks to a retractable roof and enormous windows, sunlight can pour onto the field while keeping the cold out.
The stadium is located right in downtown Indianapolis. An underground walkway safely connects it to the Indiana Convention Center..
WORST - Dignity Health Sports Park (Chargers)
When the Chargers moved from San Diego to Los Angeles, they somehow managed to end up in a downgraded stadium that only holds 27,000. Built for soccer, Dignity Health Sports Park is not only small, but it's not easy for fans to get to.
Because of this, Chargers' games end up feeling more like away games for the team than home games. The good news is that in 2020 the Chargers will officially move into their shiny new shared stadium with the Rams.
BEST - Century Link Field (Seahawks)
When the Seahawks are playing winning football, few places are more exciting for a fan to be than Century Link Field. 'Hawks fans are loud, and regularly disrupt the timing of opposing offenses. This is why their fans are known as the "12th Man".
On top of the fan experience, Century Link Field is also architecturally stunning, with amazing views of downtown Seattle. Of course, when you're at the game the only views you're paying attention to are players dominating on the field.
WORST - Alameda County Coliseum (Raiders)
The Oakland Raiders were the last team in the NFL to share their stadium with a baseball team. In 2020, they moved out of their current coliseum into a shiny new home in Las Vegas. For now, they play in one of the worst stadiums in the league.
The "Black Hole" can get loud and the fans are loyal, but this not an ideal place to watch a game. Essentially a cement bowl, the Alameda County Coliseum lacks modern amenities that fans crave and, as you can see, is an eyesore to look at.
WORST - Nissan Stadium (Titans)
MoneyWise once ranked Nissan Stadium the seventh-worst in the NFL, saying, "The high prices at the concession stands guarantee that fans save their money for the bars and restaurants outside, after the game."
However, one positive is that the stadium is conveniently located near downtown Nashville, and is easy to get to.
BEST - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons)
Opened in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons, and one of the most exciting stadiums ever built. On top of being an architectural beauty, the 71,000 seat stadium as innovative as it gets regarding the fan experience.
Before opening up, Falcons' owner Arthur Blank proclaimed that hot dogs would cost two dollars, and beer would cost four. Since then he's stuck to his word, and even dropped the prices of hots in 2019 to $1.50!
WORST - FedEx Field (Redskins)
The Washington Redskins opened FedEx Field in 1997, and now just over 20 years later, are already trying to move. The stadium itself is unspectacular, hard to get to, and lacks unique amenities.
When the team finally moves into a new stadium, it won't be hard to impress fans. The team might not improve, but it will be hard to complain about high ticket prices at a brand new hot ticket venue.
BEST - U.S. Bank Stadium (Vikings)
Another new stadium, this time in Minnesota, and it couldn't have come at a better moment for the franchise. After opening its doors in 2016, the Vikings became an NFL powerhouse, ensuring that all 66,000 seats would be filled.
Like Century Link Field, U.S. Bank Stadium features gorgeous views of downtown Minnesota. The dome roof is also retractable if the autumn winds decide to cooperate, too. Of course, when it stays closed, the fans sound extra loud to the opposition.
BEST - Heinz Field (Steelers)
When the Steelers are winning at home, which they usually are, few stadium experiences are better than Heinz Field. Fans are so loud that opposing offenses usually have to rely on a silent snap count to start plays.
As for the stadium itself - it's a state of the art facility with fantastic views. It's just hard to focus on the views when the action on the field demands so much attention!
BEST - Allegiant Stadium (Raiders)
Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020 in Las Vegas. The stadium is known as "The Death Star."
With a seating capacity of 65,000, a retractable field tray, and tons of visitor amenities, Allegiant Stadium is a great place for the Raiders to call home.
WORST - Paul Brown Stadium (Bengals)
When the Bengals are good, Paul Brown Stadium can be a fun place to watch a game. When they aren't, which seems to happen more often than not, the stands sit empty, freezing over in the cold Cincinnati winter.
The stadium, which was opened in 2000, holds 66,000 fans and has decent views. Like Buffalo, though, it's known more for the tailgating in the parking lot than the game being played on the field.
WORST - Soldier Field (Bears)
Although Soldier Field is set right in the heart of Chicago, unfortunately, it is outdated and has costly ticket prices. It's also the third-smallest stadium in the NFL.
Soldier Field was actually given a major renovation in 2002 and it already feels old to many fans, and it has a lower capacity.
BEST - MetLife Stadium (Jets/Giants)
The only stadium on this list shared by two teams, MetLife Stadium is the beautiful home of the New York Jets and New York Giants. Created and designed with the quick changeover in mind, there's not a bad seat in the house.
If there is anything to complain about with MetLife, it's the co-partnership between the two teams, making it hard to get a real home-field advantage. At the end of the day, who does the stadium really belong to?
WORST - Hard Rock Stadium (Dolphins)
While Hard Rock Stadium seems to improve every year, it's still not up to par with the best in the league. Opened in 1987 as a multi-purpose stadium, several renovation projects have turned the Dolphins home into exactly that - a home.
One of the biggest knocks on the stadium is its vulnerability to weather. Florida heat and humidity can be brutal, so having an open-air stadium can make for an uncomfortable fan experience.
BEST - AT&T Stadium (Cowboys)
Opened in 2009 with a maximum capacity of 100,000 fans, AT&T Stadium cost over one billion dollars, and it's easy to see why. The massive home of the Cowboys is packed with features an amenities.
When the Cowboys make the playoffs, not many stadiums get louder. Without question, this is a must-visit stadium for any sports or music fans. Just imagine watching The Rolling Stones play here!
WORST - Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Another stadium that carries the Mercedes-Benz moniker, this one is the home of the Saints and has been in business since 1975. As one of the NFL's older stadiums, it's also one of the least interesting.
The good news is that with Drew Brees under center, Saints fans don't seem to care about the condition of the stadium the game is being played. They show up, and they get loud!
BEST - Arrowhead Stadium (Chiefs)
The best home-field advantage in the NFL belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs. No fans in the league are louder. No wonder the Chiefs are perennially in playoff contention. Having Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback helps, too!
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Arrowhead Stadium is just how old it is. Opened in 1972, it's barely showing signs of age and is still considered a premier football destination for fans to watch games.
BEST - SoFi Stadium (Chargers, Rams)
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, has state-of-the-art amenities, which include a 4K HDR video board that is suspended from the roof over the field.
The facility is a year-round, indoor-outdoor venue with seating for 70,000 in the stadium. There's also a huge performance space and a 2.5-acre public plaza.
Your Features Might Reveal Secrets About Your Genetics And Ancestry
WORST - TIAA Bank Field (Jaguars)
Some aging stadiums hold up over the years, keeping their charm and appeal to fans. Sadly for the Jaguars, TIAA Bank Field is not among them. In fact, the stadium was named the second-worst in the country by The Athletic in 2020, coming in only behind FedEx Field.
According to former Jaguar reporter Daniel Popper, "fans must endure "blistering heat and sun in certain parts of the stands. The stadium hasn't received a significant renovation... since it was erected in 1995."
