What are the 10 best NFL stadiums? Whether your team’s stadium made the list or not, you can show your loyalty and support with deals on official NFL team apparel.
Best NFL Stadiums
We took into account different factors like the look of a stadium, technology, the atmosphere, food and seating to come up with the 10 best stadiums in the NFL.
10. Ford Field (Detroit Lions)
The location of Ford Field in downtown Detroit is hard to beat. Ford Field opened in 2002 and has a fixed permanent domed roof to avoid the harsh Detroit weather conditions. Despite the Lions not having many exciting seasons, including the memory of the 2008 Lions that went 0-16, Detroit fans still create a decent atmosphere at Ford Field.
Ford Field has great food and there are many fan-friendly features to enjoy. In the first hour after gates open, fans can buy hot dogs and sodas for just $2, and beers for $3. The stadium also embraces technology as fans can order and pay for food using an app on their phone to pick up food when its ready.
OFFICE VIEW: Welcome to Ford Field and today’s #Bengals #Lions tilt. Spectacular stadium. pic.twitter.com/6BKdFyOpn5
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 17, 2021
9. Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)
The biggest reason the Chiefs have one of the best NFL stadiums is because of the crazy atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium. Arrowhead is surrounded by parking lots which helps create one of the most energetic tailgating atmospheres in the entire country.
Crowd noise is the most notable characteristic at Arrowhead Stadium and it holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor stadium registering 142.2 decibels in a game against the New England Patriots in 2014.
Kansas City is known for its barbecue foods and Arrowhead matches that. Stadium catering incorporates American southwest cuisine with Gates BBQ, Couple in the Kitchen, and State Line BBQ Stack all offering authentic flavors of the city. You also can’t leave Arrowhead without trying the Burnt End Mac and Cheese from Mac Shack.
We are more than six hours to kickoff here at Arrowhead for @SNFonNBC and #ChiefsKingdom is already tailgating as they wait to get in and tailgate.
Prime time.
Red on red.
Best fans in the NFL.
Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/Q1JavcMYie— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) October 6, 2019
8. Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)
There’s a reason the NFL chooses Lucas Oil Stadium to host he NFL Combine each year. Firstly, the stadium is centrally located downtown with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and other places of interest nearby.
Secondly, the interior of Lucas Oil Stadium is impressive and is one of the best in the league. There’s a retractable roof that gives the stadium flexibility in the very cold winters and warm Indianapolis summers. One of the most unique features however which makes Lucas Oil Stadium one of the best NFL stadiums is the large retractable window on the northeast side.
Colts fans help to keep Lucas Oil full of energy but there isn’t anything notable from a food perspective. The stadium still earns a spot on the list because its one of the nicest looking stadiums, is in a great location, and has one of the best feature windows in the country.
Roof/window open at Lucas Oil Stadium for today’s divisional game vs #Texans #HOUvsIND #Colts pic.twitter.com/tEDHEPk5dP
— Clark Wade (@ClarkWade34) September 30, 2018
7. Lumen Field (Seattle Seahawks)
Similar to Lucas Oil Stadium, Seattle’s Lumen Field is located very close to the city’s downtown. No field in the world looks like Lumen. The U-shape design with the north end triangle-shaped seating allows for views of downtown Seattle.
The atmosphere created by the fans – the “12th Man” – makes Lumen Field one of the best NFL stadiums. The fans are famous for “Beast Quake” which occurred in the 2010 NFC Wildcard Playoffs. Running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 67 yards and broke nine tackles on his way to a touchdown against the Saints.
The game-clinching touchdown run caused one of the biggest upsets in NFL history and the crowd noise was so powerful, it officially registered as a small earthquake!
Marshawn Lynch’s 34th birthday is a good reason to watch the BeastQuake again. @MoneyLynch (via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/ix4cm0t5xN
— NFL (@NFL) April 22, 2020
6. AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys)
Football in Texas always offers a memorable experience and AT&T Stadium is the perfect place to enjoy the most popular sport in America. AT&T was built in 2009 and with a capacity of 80,000 is one of the biggest NFL stadiums.
AT&T Stadium also opened as the largest NFL stadium ever built, the largest domed building in America, the world’s largest air-conditioned room, the longest single span roof structure, and the largest retractable end zone doors. The stadium also opened with the world’s largest high definition video display measuring 160 by 72 feet.
Stadium food isn’t cheap if you’re after genuine Texas flavors such as chicken-fried steak, Fritos burger, and chicken-waffle sandwiches. You’re however paying for an experience in one of the best NFL stadiums.
Greetings from AT&T Stadium pic.twitter.com/oIqPEAmq8G
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) August 26, 2022
5. Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)
Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020 and is home to the Las Vegas Raiders after relocating from Oakland. The design is unreal. On one side of the end zone there’s a huge window showing the Las Vegas strip. Next to the window are two big screens that are visible from nearly everywhere in the stadium.
Around $2 billion was spent on construction and it’s easy to see how. The roof is fully translucent and the seats are ridiculously comfortable throughout the stadium. The north end zone area has retractable windows with a large torch housing a flame in honor of long time Raiders owner Al Davis in front of the view.
The food can be a bit pricey with chefs cooking luxurious dishes such as deep-fried lobster tempura. There are also the expected concessionary snacks like hot dogs and pretzels in the $3 range. As futuristic and state-of-the-art that Allegiant Stadium is, the atmosphere can be lacking. Give Raider’s home fans in Vegas a bit more time before Allegiant Stadium ranks any higher.
Amazing end zone view for the Patriots and Raiders from Allegiant Stadium. #ForeverNE • 📸@JamieGatlin17 pic.twitter.com/UKusME5Epe
— BTM Football (@BTMFootball) August 27, 2022
4. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons)
When the Falcons are good, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is rocking and is why it’s one of the best NFL stadiums. Like Allegiance Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of most futuristic stadiums in the world, but the atmosphere can be average because Atlanta Falcons fans don’t have much to cheer about.
The stadium design is futuristic with the façade consisting of alternating wrapped metal panels that are in the shape of a falcon’s wing. Light can shine through the windows that wrap around the top of the stadium. The stadium’s west side has a transparent 16-story window that allows natural light to come in as well as offering panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium deviates from a standard jumbotron setup and instead uses a ring-shaped big screen centered at the top of the stadium. An eight-petal setup also offers one of the coolest looking retracting roofs you’ll ever see.
Concessions are cheap with many fan-friendly options. You’ve got to find Smoke and Pour Nacho Cart. The “Burnt End Nachos” are to die for, with burnt ends of brisket, tortilla chips, white cheese sauce, Budweiser BBQ sauce and jalapenos.
A time-lapse view of the roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening before the #SuperBowl #Patriots #LARams pic.twitter.com/Urh0L5rvaA
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) February 3, 2019
3. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)
Lambeau Field lacks the futuristic appeal of the newer stadiums. No astronomical high-def screens. No fancy retracting roofs or windows. Almost all the seating is made up of bleachers. So why is Lambeau Field one of the best NFL stadiums? History.
No field is more historic than the “Frozen Tundra” and Lambeau Field compliments the significant history of the Green Bay Packers. The stadium opened in 1957 and is the oldest continually operating stadium in the NFL. Stepping through the gates of Lambeau is like going back through a time machine with its traditional bowl layout and seating capacity of over 80,000.
Lambeau Field had renovations completed in 2003 and 2015 but still retains its original bowl seating underneath all the new renovations. The Green Bay Packers have sold out every game at Lambeau since 1960 and there’s more than 115,000 people on the waiting list for tickets and a wait time of 30 years. It’s no surprise then that the game-day experience at Lambeau is recognised as being one of, if not, the best in the NFL.
Food options fit the stadium perfectly as offerings include fried cheese curds, poutine, nachos, and cheese pizza. Anything more fancier than that wouldn’t fit in with the historic beauty that is Lambeau Field, the third best NFL stadium.
What a game, what a crowd, what a day…let’s do it again here on Thursday.
Thank you #Packers fans 👊 #DENvsGB 3-0 🎉 pic.twitter.com/gNRoiKY27v
— Lambeau Field (@LambeauField) September 22, 2019
2. U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings)
The home of the Minnesota Vikings was the first to start the trend of futuristic stadiums when it opened in 2016. The outside of the stadium is wrapped in nearly all reflective glass material. The roof has sharply pointed designs inspired by Nordic architecture helping to endure the freezing Minneapolis winters.
U.S. Bank Stadium was the first stadium to create a translucent roof and wall panels that help to deflect the harsh local weather whilst bringing in some natural light and providing outstanding views of downtown Minneapolis from almost every section.
The host of the TV show Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern, offers a large range of quality food at Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen, from roast beef sandwiches to roasted lamb platters. Other foods such as the Jerk Bacon Sammie, Skol Dog and a Roasted Pork Hoagie makes the U.S. Bank Stadium one of the best NFL stadiums to experience.
Outside US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Photo by Mike Plucker. pic.twitter.com/Zh63fVkIQU
— Best Of Minnesota (@BestPixMN) January 26, 2021
1. SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Rams and Chargers_
SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and has a capacity of 70,000. Home to the LA Rams and Chargers it’s the most expensive arena in the NFL and American sports costing an estimated $6 billion to build.
Everything about SoFi Stadium is futuristic. There’s a magnificent ring-shaped jumbotron that offers content from both inside and outside the ring. The shape of the dome is a perfect oval that allows for great views of the field from any seat. Unique field-level club seats and cabanas are available for those who can afford them.
A significant touch separating SoFi from other stadiums is the open ends of the stadium. It allows for views from the concourse of downtown LA and the nearby Hollywood Hills. The Pacific Ocean can also be seen which is about 5 miles away. The ocean breeze flows through the stadium thanks to SoFi’s arches, curves and moving panels on the roof which maximizes the breeze passing through.
Food is pricey but you’d expect a premium at America’s most expensive stadium build. The Rams topped it off becoming Super Bowl LVI champions played at SoFi, quite the salute to the best NFL stadium we’ve ever seen.
Another view from inside SoFi Stadium @Enquirer pic.twitter.com/uGcadmOQEo
— Cara Owsley (@caraphoto23) February 12, 2022
Related
As an avid NFL enthusiast with a deep understanding of the league's dynamics and stadium culture, I can attest to the comprehensive analysis of the top 10 NFL stadiums in the provided article. The assessment takes into account various crucial factors, including architectural design, technological features, atmosphere, food offerings, and seating arrangements. Let's delve into each of the mentioned stadiums and explore the distinctive characteristics that contribute to their recognition.
10. Ford Field (Detroit Lions): Located in downtown Detroit, Ford Field boasts a fixed permanent domed roof, shielding fans from harsh weather conditions. Despite the team's performance, the stadium creates a vibrant atmosphere, offering great food options and fan-friendly features, such as affordable concessions during the first hour after gates open.
9. Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs): Arrowhead Stadium stands out for its energetic tailgating atmosphere, surrounded by parking lots. Notably, it holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor stadium. The stadium's catering incorporates Kansas City's renowned barbecue foods, adding to the overall game-day experience.
8. Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts): Chosen for hosting the NFL Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium is centrally located in downtown Indianapolis. Its impressive interior includes a retractable roof and a large retractable window, offering flexibility in dealing with varying weather conditions. While lacking notable food options, the stadium's overall features earn it a spot on the list.
7. Lumen Field (Seattle Seahawks): The unique U-shape design of Lumen Field, situated close to downtown Seattle, provides stunning views of the city. The atmosphere, fueled by the passionate "12th Man" fans, is highlighted by memorable moments like the "Beast Quake" in the 2010 NFC Wildcard Playoffs, where the crowd's noise registered as a small earthquake.
6. AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys): As one of the largest NFL stadiums, AT&T Stadium in Texas offers a memorable experience with its impressive architecture, including the world's largest high-definition video display. While stadium food may be relatively expensive, the overall experience in this iconic venue justifies the cost.
5. Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders): Opened in 2020, Allegiant Stadium stands out with its unreal design, featuring a massive window showcasing the Las Vegas strip. The stadium's roof is fully translucent, providing a unique and comfortable atmosphere. Despite potentially pricey food options, the stadium's futuristic features contribute to its allure.
4. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons): Known for its futuristic design, Mercedes-Benz Stadium becomes truly lively when the Falcons perform well. The stadium features a unique façade, transparent 16-story window, and unconventional jumbotron setup. Affordable concessions, including the must-try "Burnt End Nachos," enhance the overall fan experience.
3. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers): Steeped in history, Lambeau Field stands out as the oldest continually operating stadium in the NFL. The traditional bowl layout, bleacher seating, and a strong sense of history contribute to the exceptional game-day experience. Food options align with the stadium's charm, offering classics like fried cheese curds and cheese pizza.
2. U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings): A trendsetter in futuristic stadium design, U.S. Bank Stadium features reflective glass material, a translucent roof, and outstanding views of downtown Minneapolis. The stadium offers a diverse range of quality food, including options from Andrew Zimmern's Canteen, enhancing the overall fan experience.
1. SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Rams and Chargers): Opened in 2020 and considered the most expensive arena in the NFL, SoFi Stadium boasts futuristic elements, including a ring-shaped jumbotron and an oval-shaped dome. The open ends provide breathtaking views of downtown LA, the Hollywood Hills, and the Pacific Ocean. While food may come at a premium, the stadium's architectural marvel and recent Super Bowl LVI hosting elevate it to the top spot.
In conclusion, the article offers a well-researched and comprehensive overview of the best NFL stadiums, considering various aspects that contribute to the overall fan experience.
