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With a spot to Super Bowl LVII on the line, both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs will do whatever they can to win the AFC Championship. But with the two teams playing in Missouri on Sunday, will the Chiefs have an advantage over the Bengals due to how their stadium was designed?
It’s no surprise that any team can have a home-field advantage, but the Chiefs just might have something that could really give them an edge over the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) points to his helmet due to crowd noise in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs on Jan 30, 2022 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
(Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)
No, we aren’t talking about that Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had a longer starting position in the NFL than Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow or the fact that Mahomes has double the amount of touchdowns or passing yards as Burrow. The edge comes from the actual stadium and in Arrowhead’s design.
"Arrowhead is one of the toughest environments to play in," Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor said in a press conference Wednesday about Sunday's upcoming game. "It's a loud place."
The design of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium listed its capacity as being able to host 76,416 fans. This puts Arrowhead as having the fourth-largest capacity out of all NFL stadiums, listed just behind the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium.
Populous, the design firm behind Arrowhead, says it sets the standard with its modern sight lines and single-purpose design. Arrowhead Stadium was originally built in 1972, but Populous said with its 2010 renovations, more space was added for more fans.
A wide view from the end zone as the scoreboard implores the crowd to Get Loud in the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on Dec 12, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
(Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)
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The bowl seating design ensures that every fan has an unobstructed view and voice.
That allows sounds to carry at the stadium, making it loud. And with the Chiefs’ boisterous fans, it’s not just regular loud; it’s record-setting at Arrowhead Stadium.
How loud is it at Arrowhead Stadium?
In 2014, Arrowhead Stadium set a Guinness World Record for its stadium noise against the New England Patriots. The fans were so loud that they registered the sound at 142.2 decibels. That’s louder than a jet plane taking off.
The Chiefs fans set the record twice that year, beating out previous record-holding Seattle Seahawks fans.
Former players and coaches still say that, to this day, the fans at Arrowhead make it the most intimidating stadium.
Players in the past have even asked the referees to quiet the crowd.
In 1990, the Chiefs took on the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead. Broncos quarterback John Elway was at their 1-yard line and had to stop play to ask the refs to quiet the crowd.
"Again, I have asked the defense to help lower the crowd noise," the referee announced during that game against the Broncos. "Any further crowd noise problem will result in a charged timeout against Kansas City."
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"This is when the mantra behind the idea that Chiefs fans don’t come to watch games, they come to participate at them was born," the Kansas City Chiefs said about the infamous game.
Fans make some noise during the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
(John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service / Getty Images)
This was the game when Arrowhead earned its fame recognition, Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen recounted.
And while yes, the Bengals and Burrow have played at Arrowhead before – even for the same title almost a year ago to the day - we can’t help but think that that’s why Chiefs fans will be even louder to help their team earn a spot in the Super Bowl.
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As a seasoned sports enthusiast and expert, I bring a wealth of knowledge in various aspects of sports, including the intricate dynamics of NFL games and the impact of weather conditions on gameplay. My extensive experience allows me to analyze and interpret the nuances within the realm of professional football.
In the article discussing the upcoming AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, the focus is on the potential advantage the Chiefs might have due to the design of their stadium, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Arrowhead Stadium Design:
- Arrowhead Stadium, located in Kansas City, Missouri, is home to the Chiefs and is renowned for its design.
- The stadium, listed with a capacity to host 76,416 fans, has the fourth-largest capacity among all NFL stadiums, just behind the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium.
- The design firm responsible for Arrowhead is Populous, which claims that the stadium sets the standard with its modern sight lines and single-purpose design.
- Arrowhead Stadium underwent renovations in 2010, during which additional space was added to accommodate more fans.
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Bowl Seating Design:
- The bowl seating design at Arrowhead ensures that every fan has an unobstructed view and voice.
- This design contributes to the loudness of the stadium, creating a challenging environment for opposing teams.
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Record-Setting Crowd Noise:
- Arrowhead Stadium set a Guinness World Record in 2014 for stadium noise against the New England Patriots, registering an impressive 142.2 decibels.
- This noise level is louder than a jet plane taking off and exemplifies the intensity of the fans' support.
- Chiefs fans set the record twice in 2014, surpassing the previous record held by Seattle Seahawks fans.
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Intimidating Atmosphere:
- Former players and coaches attest that Arrowhead Stadium remains one of the most intimidating stadiums to play in, largely due to the passionate Chiefs fans.
- The article recounts an instance in 1990 when Broncos quarterback John Elway had to request the referees to quiet the crowd during a game at Arrowhead.
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Fan Participation Tradition:
- The article mentions the Chiefs' mantra that their fans don't just come to watch games but actively participate in them.
- This tradition was born during a game in 1990 when the crowd noise became so disruptive that the referees had to intervene.
In summary, Arrowhead Stadium's design, crowd noise, and intimidating atmosphere make it a formidable home-field advantage for the Kansas City Chiefs. The article suggests that these factors could play a crucial role in the upcoming AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
