NFL
Best NFL Stadiums: Ranked
These days it’s not enough to have a world class NFL team. You also need a world class stadium where fans can watch the team play.
Superior food, comfortable seats, unique amenities and a big-screen with resolution so strong that it would impress Spielberg are all critical for top-rank status.
But, as you’ll see below, a great vibe and long-standing pedigree (even with bone-chilling temperatures) might trump everything else.
Now, with no further ado – save for the placing of NFL bets on this coming week’s roster of games – the NFL championship of stadiums.
THE MERCEDES BENZ OF FOOTBALL STADIUMS
Come to Mercedes Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons, for the football, but stay for the beer.
Before the game, be sure to check out the stadium’s display of helmets from every high school in Georgia. During the game, chow down on excellent food with prices that are often described as “fan friendly.” In the thick of the action, marvel at the so-called “halo” video screen. It stands 68’ tall and wraps around the stadium.
When you get thirsty from all the cheering, there are 1,200 taps serving 40 different brews.
And don’t worry about getting uncomfortable while sitting through overtime. The stadium’s seats have been designed for comfort: they are extra-wide.
EMBRACING THE ARROWHEAD ROAR
If you happen to be attending a Kansas City Chiefs home game, get to Arrowhead Stadium early.
The tailgating there is said to be among the best in the league. Gates open three-and-a-half hours before kickoff, but diehards arrive at 6 a.m. and they bring their appetites. Ribs, chili, tomahawk steaks and all manner of barbecue (KC is an American barbecue capital) tend to be on various menus.
Fans dress in red and are so loud that the stadium is famous for the Arrowhead Roar. Besides the fact that Chiefs boosters are extremely expressive, the high-volume cheering can also be attributed to the stadium’s bowl shape. It amplifies everything and gives KC a serious home-field advantage.
For any doubters out there, the noise is not just hype: Arrowhead holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium. That was hit in 2014, when the sound rose to 142.2 decibels.
Go to a game and do your part to set a new-record this season.
GET YOUR BET ON IN SIN CITY
For decades, the NFL had little interest in Las Vegas having a football team. Vegas, after all, is an all-star gambling town, and maybe legalized sports betting did not seem to be a good fit with professional football.
That all changed in 2020. The Raiders moved to Vegas and Allegiant Stadium became the four-star equivalent of a posh casino.
Built at a cost of $1.9 billion, Allegiant is one of the most comfortable places to watch a game, despite being situated in the desert. The translucent roof allows in light but blocks the heat – and keeps the glare off some 2,200 digital displays scattered around the facility. It’s a good bet that you will not miss a single replay.
If you happen to have juice at Wynn Las Vegas, definitely try to score a table at Wynn Field Club. Situated at the end zone’s edge, it’s where football Sunday at Allegiant gets imbued with a nightclub vibe. Wynn’s food menu boasts top-flight sushi, perfectly cooked steak and chilled seafood towers. Score!
WELCOME TO THE FROZEN TUNDRA
By a longshot, Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is the oldest entrant on this list, but it’s also the best. Dating back to 1957, Lambeau warrants a trip for any serious fan of professional football.
Besides taking in the spirit of the oldest field in the NFL, game-attendees visit the Packers Hall of Fame to marvel at the team’s rich history, which dates to 1919. There is even a model of the end-zone wall that Packers players famously throw themselves at after scoring touchdowns.
The stadium is a time trip, where everybody gets to be a Packers fan for a day. Just remember this before departing: To leave Lambeau, also known as the Frozen Tundra, without cheesehead adornment (for sale in the giftshop) would be a penalty-worthy oversight.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
