There are few places better to spend a Sunday afternoon than in an NFL stadium. If you’re not sure which one is the best to visit, here are the 30 NFL stadiums ranked from best to worst.
NFL Stadiums Ranked From Best to Worst
1) Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field opened in 1957, has a capacity of 81,441, and is the home of the Green Bay Packers.
The Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. Walking through the stadium, you can hear the voices of legends gone by. There’s not a stadium in NFL history that represents the league more than Lambeau Field.
Lambeau needs to be on every NFL fan’s bucket list. That is, if you can even get tickets. Packers fans are some of the most faithful in the league.
2) U.S. Bank Stadium
U.S. Bank Stadium opened in 2016, has a capacity of 73,000, and is the home of the Minnesota Vikings.
I honestly can’t believe U.S. Bank Stadium is almost seven years old because it looks like it is from 25 years in the future. The translucent roof paved the way for other modern stadiums, and at night, it looks like the backdrop to a Prince concert with all the lights and colors.
3) SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium opened in 2020, has a capacity of 70,240, and is the home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.
Simply put, SoFi Stadium is stunning. We saw it in all its glory in Super Bowl 56 — from the wrap-around jumbotron to the indoor setup that is also open-air due to its construction. SoFi Stadium is breathtaking.
4) GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium opened in 1972, has a capacity of 76,416, and is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
If anyone can rival the Seahawks for home-field advantage, it’s the Chiefs and Arrowhead Stadium. One of the older stadiums still around, it has seen improvements to help it keep up with the times but not lose the history.
Arrowhead Stadium is synonymous with the NFL.
5) AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium opened in 2009, has a capacity of 80,000, and is the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
“Jerry’s World” was indeed a world wonder when constructed. From the design of the stadium, record-setting screen, the surrounding facilities, and amenities, AT&T Stadium has it all.
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and AT&T Stadium proves it.
6) Lumen Field
Lumen Field opened in 2002, has a capacity of 72,000, and is the home of the Seattle Seahawks.
MORE: 2023 NFL Schedule
Few fields in the NFL have produced memories like Lumen Field has. The 12th man. There might not be a more intimidating place to play as an opposing team than when the Seattle faithful are in full song. Since the Legion of Boom era and The Beast Quake, Lumen Field has been host to some of the most electric moments in recent years.
7) Allegiant Stadium
Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020, has a capacity of 65,000, and is the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Football in Vegas just hits different. Allegiant Stadium is hosting the Super Bowl this year, and it should be eventful, to say the least. The Black Hole is one of the most fearsome displays of fandom in the NFL.
8) Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High opened in 2001, has a capacity of 76,125, and is the home of the Denver Broncos.
Mile High is one of the most legendary locations in NFL history. It’s known for taking the breath away from opposing teams and fans in attendance with picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains.
9) Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017, has a capacity of 71,000, and is the home of the Atlanta Falcons.
Many were skeptical when the Georgia Dome was torn down, but the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a work of art. While the Rams’ screen is larger, they were not the first to do the circular jumbotron, as the Falcons implemented it into their stadium as well. What cannot be overlooked is the family-friendly concession prices.
10) Acrisure Stadium
Acrisure Stadium, once known as Heinz Field, opened in 2001, has a capacity of 68,400, and is the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Say what you will about the city of Pittsburgh, but Acrisure has one of the best views in sports as it sits on the convergence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.
When you think of football, you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Terrible Towels waving in the stands.
11) Caesars Superdome
Caesars Superdome opened in 1975, has a capacity of 74,295, and is the home of the New Orleans Saints.
Outside of perhaps Lambeau Field, no stadium means more to a city than what Caesars Superdome means to New Orleans residents. The scene following Hurricane Katrina will last a lifetime. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
12) Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field opened in 2003, has a capacity of 67,594, and is the home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Some say this is a massive upgrade over The Vet. While The Vet was a messy, sloppy location that stunk of so many things, it felt like home.
It’s located near the other major sports teams and is a fantastic stadium to catch an NFL game unless you are a visiting team or Santa. But hey, Philly Philly, am I right?
13) Soldier Field
Soldier Field opened in 1924, has a capacity of 61,500, and is the home of the Chicago Bears.
I hate having to rank a stadium with as storied of history as Soldier Field at 13 in the best NFL stadiums, but the stadium lost some of its allure since the renovation in 2003. Let’s raise a pint to Da Bears and watch fans make their pilgrimage take a shot of Malört.
14) Highmark Stadium
Highmark Stadium opened in 1973, has a capacity of 71,870, and is the home of the Buffalo Bills.
If I waited any longer, Bills Mafia was going to come and find me. It’s not the stadium that makes the experience, it’s the uproarious fans. Soon, the mafia will be getting a new home, expected to start play in 2026.
15) Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium opened in 2008, has a capacity of 70,000, and is the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Lucas Oil Stadium might be the most underrated stadium in the NFL. It has an old-school look from the outside but is state-of-the-art inside, with a retractable roof and large glass windows that provide views of the city.
It’s located in the middle of Indianapolis and is within walking distance of all the restaurants and bars you could desire. For those who have been to the NFL Combine, you know this all too well.
16) Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998, has a capacity of 65,890, and is the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Who doesn’t love a pirate ship exploding in the backdrop? It will look good this year in games in which they bring back one of the best throwback uniforms in the creamsicle jerseys.
17) Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, has a capacity of 65,878, and is the home of the New England Patriots.
The house that Tom Brady built. No stadium has seen more success in the last 20 years than Gillette Stadium, and it has created an intoxicating environment. What remains to be seen is how it will feel with packed crowds in the post-Brady era. Fans will enjoy a solid stadium — that is, once they finally get there.
18) M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium opened in 1998, has a capacity of 71,008, and is the home of the Baltimore Ravens.
While 23 years old, M&T Bank Stadium doesn’t feel like it, thanks to the $120 million spent in renovations in 2019. When the Ravens are rolling, few fanbases are more intense during home games than those wearing Purple and Black. I can hear Jack White’s “Seven Nation Army” playing in my head just thinking of the experience in the packed house.
19) State Farm Stadium
State Farm Stadium opened in 2006, has a capacity of 63,400, and is the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Once inside, fans are treated to a fantastic experience and reprieve from the Phoenix heat. Don’t let the horrendous experience from the field in its most recent Super Bowl impact your feelings toward State Farm Stadium as a whole.
20) Nissan Stadium
Nissan Stadium opened in 1999, has a capacity of 69,143, and is the home of the Tennessee Titans.
Nissan Stadium doesn’t get the love it deserves, possibly due to the Titans’ play in past years. The stadium could use some upgrades for the fan experience inside, but once the game is over, few places, if any, are better than the nightlife in Nashville.
It was announced on Oct. 17, 2022, via Nate Rau on Twitter that the Titans and Mayor of Nashville, John Cooper, reached a deal to build a brand new domed stadium that could cost up to $2.2 billion. There is no official date for the new stadium, but from the early renderings, it should be fantastic.
21) FirstEnergy Stadium
FirstEnergy Stadium opened in 1999, has a capacity of 67,895, and is the home of the Cleveland Browns.
Long gone are the days of “The Mistake by the Lake” and lamenting Browns’ faithful. The weather can be downright dreadful in “The Dawg Pound,” but Cleveland’s fans pack the place every home game.
22) NRG Stadium
NRG Stadium opened in 2002, has a capacity of 72,200, and is the home of the Houston Texans.
Exceptionally average is the best way I can describe NRG Stadium. It has solid esthetics, a retractable roof, and gets loud from the cheers of fans when it’s closed. Still, those might turn to echoes given the franchise’s current direction.
23) Ford Field
Ford Field opened in 2002, has a capacity of 65,000, and is the home of the Detroit Lions.
While Detroit has its own reputation, Ford Field remains one of the more underrated NFL stadiums but lacks that bit of panache to elevate in rankings. As the Lions’ play on the field improves, perhaps their friendly confines will also.
Ford Field is a spacious stadium with some unique design elements. It’s also nestled right next to Comerica Park and within walking distance of great restaurants and bars.
24) Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium opened in 1987, has a capacity of 65,326, and is the home of the Miami Dolphins.
MORE: NFL Stadium Capacity — Which Teams Have the Biggest and Smallest Stadiums?
Thanks to renovations, the fan experience at the aging Hard Rock Stadium has improved substantially. Everything from roomier seats, larger video boards, new suites, and fantastic food makes this a solid stadium to catch a game. The issue is that despite the fact this is in Florida, where it rains every day, it’s an open stadium. Yet, the partial roof does do a decent job at keeping fans dry.
25) Levi’s Stadium
Levi’s Stadium opened in 2014, has a capacity of 68,500, and is the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
It will never stack up to the fallen Candlestick Park. Levi’s Stadium just seems to be missing any soul. They also have one of the highest concession prices in the NFL. It may not be the worst NFL stadium, but it’s far from the best.
26) TIAA Bank Field
TIAA Bank Field opened in 1995, has a capacity of 67,164, and is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As we get closer to the worst NFL stadium, we have to find little redeeming qualities of average venues. For TIAA Bank Field, you can watch the game from a pool, and that’s pretty cool.
27) Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium opened in 1996, has a capacity of 75,412, and is the home of the Carolina Panthers.
Very little has changed to Bank of America Stadium since it opened in 1996, and it has served as the only place the Panthers have called home.
However, it’s a stadium showing its age. The city has talked about improvements in the range of $1.2 billion which would certainly boost Bank of America Stadium up the list.
28) Paycor Stadium
Paycor Stadium, which was once known as Paul Brown Stadium, opened in 2000, has a capacity of 65,535, and is the home of the Cincinnati Bengals.
There is nothing special about the stadium to note. Not surprising, given the ownership has resisted change.
29) MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium opened in 2010, has the largest NFL stadium capacity at 82,500, and is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
First off, you’re in New Jersey, not New York. Second, MetLife now has a staggering reputation for ending player’s seasons. I don’t care if it was built yesterday, that is simply inexcusable.
If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. If you can put up with the stadium, you can anywhere.
30) FedEx Field
FedEx Field opened in 1997, has a capacity of 82,000, and is the home of the Washington Commanders.
We have a winner for the worst stadium in the NFL. The design is barely average, and by November, the field is closer to a dirt patch than anything resembling grass. For everything RFK was, this is the opposite.
It’s a complete hassle to even get to the stadium, and once there, fans pay an exorbitant amount for tickets. It also doesn’t help that there is little to nothing outside for fans to enjoy.
Oh, and once they’re inside, don’t look up, or you might get a shower you don’t want from one of the many examples of aging sewer plumbing. Also, don’t lean on the railing by the tunnels, they’re a bit prone to collapsing, but I did hear they used industrial zip-ties to “fix it.” I guess that counts as an upgrade, right?
There may be good news on the way with new ownership led by Josh Harris planning $40 million of improvements to the facilities.