NFL stadiums are at the heart of the game of football. From the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, to the glitz and glamor of SoFi Stadium, a team’s identity is embedded within the confines of their arena.
The in-person football viewing experience is unparalleled in sport. Walking toward a great mass of concrete and steel after gleeful hours of tailgating, taking in the captivating smells of the concourse, seeing an endless green field pop out from the tunnel when going toward your seat, and then hearing the cheers and roars during the game, unleashing an incomparable sense of camaraderie and community.
Some of these stadiums are modern marvels of urban architecture achievement. Some optimize the fan viewing experience in a spectacular way. Some may seem like they are fading into the distant memory of the past, but their soul remains.
But all of these venues share something in common: without their presence, their team would never be the same.
Let’s journey through the top 10 stadiums in the NFL.
10. Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, PA
Heinz Field personifies the Steel City in a unique way. The view of the Pittsburgh skyline towering over the banks of the Allegheny River provides perhaps the most charming views in the NFL. Vibrant yellow seats and the frenzied waving of Terrible Towels lets you know that you are in the house of one of the most storied and recognizable franchises across all of professional sports.
9. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
Arrowhead Stadium has the nostalgia factor, and most famously, the loud factor. The frenetic passion and fervent loyalty of Chiefs fans runs through the core of Arrowhead. Tailgating is not just a get-together of friends and family here, it is a spectacular, rowdy party.
8. Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA
The stylish home of the Atlanta Falcons opened in 2017 to rave reviews. It has hosted a Super Bowl LIII and a plethora of big-time college football games. From the trendy throwing-star-like retractable roof to the fan-friendly concession prices, the Pantheon, as it was coined by its architects, is an NFL jewel.
7. Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
Who could forget the seismic sounds created by Marshawn Lynch’s glorious “Beast Quake” run in the 2010 NFC Wild Card game? Or the unbridled energy felt through the television screen when Rusell Wilson connected with Jermaine Kearse to send the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX? Lumen Field is an intimidating venue, not just because of the 12th Man, but also because of its smoky and foggy atmosphere.
6. Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
Although it is nearly four decades old, the Superdome will always be awe-inspiring. It is the backbone of the great city of New Orleans, a symbol of strength, perseverance, and architectural beauty. The Saints might be in for a rebuilding period, but Who Dat fans will never stop showing out for their beloved team.
5. U.S. Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN
“The Bank” set the benchmark for futuristic stadiums when it opened its doors in 2016. The glass panels welcome in the shining sun, and from a TV perspective, the place looks clean, easy to navigate, environmentally-aware, and fun, representative of what a modern NFL stadium should be.
4. Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, NV
The $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium looks like the biggest party on Earth when Raider fans get going. I cannot wait for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, something the city has waited for forever. The Super Bowl and Sin City go hand-in-hand. Although traffic is certainly an issue, “The Death Star” feels like Vegas, and Derek Carr, Davante Adams, and the new-look Silver and Black should put on a show this upcoming season.
3. AT&T Stadium
The famed home of America’s Team is a steel embodiment of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: big, loud, and in-your-face. AT&T Stadium feels like it opened just yesterday, but it is already a decade old. The Super Bowl needs to return to great NFL stadiums like Jerry World soon.
2. SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, CA
SoFi Stadium provided one of the most beautiful Super Bowl venues in history. The most expensive stadium ($5.9 billion) ever built manifests the power and dream-like nature of Los Angeles. Although seeing a game at SoFi is extremely pricy, that is Hollywood, and you are stepping into a movie-like arena.
1. Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI
The original Yankee Stadium. Fenway Park. Wrigley Field. Madison Square Garden. The old Boston Garden. Come on, you get it. Lambeau Field is simply legendary. This is the place where Vince Lombardi stalked the sidelines, where Bart Starr made his one-yard plunge in 13 degrees below zero, where Brett Favre displayed his youthful exuberance, and where Aaron Rodgers throws dart-after-dart. Lambeau is forever locked within football immortality.
Read more about the Green Bay Packers.
