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Top stadiums in the NFL (1 Viewer)

fridayfrenzy

Footballguy
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=10830

1. Qwest Field, Seattle

The best place in the world to watch football might not be your easy chair after all. This is the hidden treasure of America's stadiums. The architecture reflects the great Northwest, and the design offers magnificent views of it. From various points around the stadium, you can see Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline. The stadium design flows beautifully with neighboring Safeco Field, home of the Mariners. The triangular seating section in the north end zone is a fine touch. Qwest Field is located not far from downtown Seattle in a trendy area that's great for pregame and postgame partying.

2. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

The thing I love most about this place is its strong identity. From the palm trees in the end zone to the flags that line the top of the stadium, this place screams Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 103-foot-long pirate ship in Buccaneer Cove in the north end zone is the best feature in any NFL stadium, and the communal areas are better than any other stadium's. The open end zones give the place an airy feeling. Very few parts of the stadium are shaded, so Florida's sunshine seemingly is everywhere during day games.

3. Reliant Stadium, Houston

This is a stunning building that's all glass and light. It literally sparkles. In fact, it looks more like a modern place of worship than a place for football. Still, it's a spectacular venue for a game, regardless of whether the retractable roof is open. The unusual roof, which is made of a translucent fiberglass fabric, allows for natural grass, which players appreciate.

4. Ford Field, Detroit

This is the best indoor stadium ever. The brick and the exposed duct work make this place feel like one of those trendy, oversize lofts that was converted from an old factory. The seven-story atrium and the connection to Hudson's warehouse are nice touches. You have to credit the Ford family because the stadium has helped revitalize the downtown area.

5. Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland

The location on Cleveland's Northcoast Harbor, near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center, is excellent. The gaps in the seating bowl allow fans to see downtown Cleveland. The stadium's multitude of glass creates a light, airy feel. The Dawg Pound is a distinctive bow to the tradition of Municipal Stadium, which used to occupy the plot of land where Browns Stadium sits.

6. Lambeau Field, Green Bay

No stadium reflects its team and community better. It's a shrine as much as a stadium, the place where St. Vince worked miracles. Lambeau has the feel of a high school stadium but with more amenities. The renovations that were completed in 2003 added style and elegance to the place. The new atrium is wonderful. Where else can you get married and then cheer your favorite team to victory all in the same facility? What I don't like about Lambeau -- or what my back doesn't like -- is the aluminum bleacher seating.

7. Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

What makes Heinz special is the open south end zone. A huge community concourse allows spectators to have views of where the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers intersect. The gold seats are a nice touch. When the Steelers score, the Heinz bottle atop the scoreboard tips and pours. No other stadium has made the potentially ugly specter of a corporate sponsor so entertaining. Heinz Field is pleasing to the eye, and it gives class to Pittsburgh's North Shore.

8. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Lincoln Financial Field is to Veterans Stadium what the computer is to the typewriter. Open corners of the north end zone offer a nice view of downtown Philly and also make this one of the windiest venues in the NFL. The vertical design makes this a noisy, intimidating place for visitors.

9. Bank of America Stadium, Carolina

With Carolina blue providing the accents, this place is easy on the eyes. The facade, with the arched entryways, is beautiful. The panther statues are excellent greeters. This is a comfortable, pleasant place to spend an afternoon.

10. Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

You have to love a new stadium with nostalgic touches. You can glimpse inside from neighboring buildings, and it's named after the team's founder, not a corporate sponsor. The views of the city and the Ohio River give this place flair. The architectural design, which includes a canopy over the upper deck on both sides and an angled upper row of seats in the end zones, is interesting. The stadium's exterior enhances downtown Cincinnati.

11. Gillette Stadium, New England

This is a wonderful place to watch a game in autumn, with millions of burnt-orange and red leaves framing the north end zone. There are nice local touches -- the signature lighthouse and a map of New England made of granite from each of the six states. A bridge that connects the east and west concourses is a nice spot to gather and catch a few minutes of the game. The big problem I have is that this is the most difficult place to get to and from in the NFL.

12. M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

This well-done stadium has two 100-by-24 replay boards, the largest in the NFL. Between those and the sightlines, there never is a reason to miss a play. The location in Camden Yards, next to Oriole Park, offers a nice view of the Baltimore skyline. Purple seats and more than 1 million bricks give the place a distinctive feel.

13. Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Like the Beatles, Arrowhead, which opened in 1972, still plays well after all these years. Other stadiums from its era have become rubble, but this remains a premier facility and a big reason why the Chiefs always sell out. You get a nice feel for the team and its history here. With less traffic and more bathrooms, Arrowhead would rate higher.

14. Invesco Field, Denver

With all the steel treads and risers in this place, the look is cold and the volume is loud. What I like about Invesco is it is one of the most uninviting places for visiting teams. A lot of that is because of the altitude, but this stadium is an asset to the Broncos, as Mile High was before it.

15. Texas Stadium, Dallas

This is the perfect stadium for Dallas, so big and bold. You get the feeling that everything that happens here is a huge event. The saying is that the hole in the roof is for God to watch his favorite team. I'm not so sure God needs the hole, but I like the dramatic lighting it provides. Some of the infrastructure hasn't aged well, but I will miss this place when the Cowboys move to Arlington for the 2009 season.

16. The Coliseum, Tennessee

This stadium creates a strong game-day presence. It doesn't feel as big and intimidating as a lot of other stadiums, kind of like Nashville itself. A large percentage of the seats are on the sidelines, which is ideal for viewing the action. The open end zones provide a spacious feel.

17. Soldier Field, Chicago

My feelings about this place are as mixed as its styles of architecture -- Roman columns and space-age steel. On one of America's great skylines, Soldier Field stands out like a pimple on a pretty face. Yet, this is the best setting in the NFL -- surrounded by museums on Chicago's lakefront. Downtown is visible from most seats, and Lake Michigan is visible from the east concourses. Many of the details that make a good stadium slipped through the cracks when this place was made. Still, it's a nice environment to watch a game.

18. Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona

This is an underrated place to watch football. Located on one of America's great college campuses (Arizona State), this venue was carved from the desert and sits between two buttes that are higher than the stadium. It offers picturesque views of several mountains, including the Superstitions and Four Peaks. A big drawback is most of the seating is bleacher style. This place heats up like a fireplace for the first part of the season as the sun reflects off the aluminum benches. The team will move into new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale for the 2006 season.

19. Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

This is a striking building from the outside. It's the best of the pure domes, even though it opened in 1975. The Superdome obviously was conceived with vision and foresight, and the concourses and ramps are well-done. But it still is a dome, and the interior is nothing special. The good news for Saints fans looking to forget a tough loss: They are just a few stumbles from Bourbon Street.

20. ALLTEL Stadium, Jacksonville

This stadium is too big for the city; six of eight games were TV blackouts last season. Even covering nearly 10,000 seats, which the Jaguars will do this season, won't help much. The stadium lacks charm and personality, except for the dramatic light towers. Its location on the St. Johns River makes it somewhat difficult to access.

21. RCA Dome, Indianapolis

The interior is somewhat drab, but as domes go, it could be worse. This place, smack-dab in the middle of downtown Indianapolis, is just a few steps from a slew of hotels and inviting restaurants and bars. With a capacity of 57,890, the RCA Dome is the right size for its city, and as NFL stadiums go, it's almost cozy.

22. Giants Stadium, New York Giants, Jets

The only home for two NFL teams has all the appeal of the Jersey swampland on which it sits. Though it's just 6.9 miles from Times Square, this is not a great location for a football stadium. This huge, bland arena has very little personality, save for the legend of Jimmy Hoffa's corpse being buried here and the quirky winds.

23. Dolphins Stadium, Miami

This place should be called Dolphins-Marlins Stadium because a baseball team plays here as well. As with all multipurpose stadiums, each tenant suffers because of the presence of the other. Early in the football season, for instance, infield dirt is visible. There isn't much to distinguish this place, unless you like spiraling ramps. At least the stadium is easily accessible because it is about halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

24. Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo

This is a cold place even in the summer. Cavernous describes it pretty well. This aging arena lacks the amenities and comforts of many modern stadiums, and getting here is tough.

25. Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis

Centrally located in downtown St. Louis, this is not an unattractive building from the outside. In fact, it doesn't even look much like a stadium. But the inside is another matter. The gloomy, dark atmosphere makes for a poor game-day experience. On the plus side, the Rams have found a way to get a tremendous home-field advantage out of this place.

26. FedEx Field, Washington

This is an abomination that lacks the convenience and style of its predecessor, RFK Stadium. You get the feeling this place is more about money than football. When you're here, you feel like a pebble in the Grand Canyon. Everything is overdone, and the corporate presence is oppressive -- there's a Hooters on site, for crying out loud. The stadium is in the middle of nowhere, and traffic is a nightmare. But trying to park makes traffic seem like a dream.

27. Metrodome, Minnesota

The only thing worse than watching a football game here is watching a baseball game here. I don't believe I've ever left the place without a headache, thanks to the preposterously loud sound effects. The air-inflated, fiberglass roof allows for some natural lighting, but everything else about this place feels artificial. Its nickname is the Humpdome, but it should be the Dumpdome.

28. Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

A great city deserves a great football stadium, but San Diego doesn't have one. The culture of San Diego and the tradition of the Chargers are lost in this cement monstrosity. One of the last standing old multipurpose facilities, this stadium, which opened in 1967, is totally antiquated. Fans are too far from the action. The best thing you can say about Qualcomm is it's easy to get to, with the trolley dropping off fans just a few feet from the entrances.

29. McAfee Coliseum, Oakland

The location isn't bad, but it's all downhill from there. Nicknames: The Mausoleum; The Black Hole. This run-down, outdated facility is overdue for a meeting with a wrecking ball. Perhaps if the stadium were in better condition, the fans who attend games here would behave more civilly.

30. Monster Park, San Francisco

This crumbling pit has outlived its usefulness, or whatever usefulness it might have once had. Built in 1959, it's the oldest stadium in the NFL -- and it feels like it. Every time I watch a football game here, I get the feeling this place was built for baseball. The location is on scenic San Francisco Bay. But Monster is difficult to get to.

31. Georgia Dome, Atlanta

The odd roof makes this place look like an oversized circus tent. Is there any reason for a dome in this climate? The atmosphere inside and surrounding the stadium is dark and dingy. Frisghtening, almost. It's nice that it's located in downtown Atlanta, but you hardly get the feeling this is prime real estate. The cheesy photos of Georgia that ring the bowl of the arena add nothing. Playing Super Bowls here was like having a wedding in a sewer.

Simply the best ...

Best place to get loud: The Dawg Pound in Cleveland Browns Stadium

Best place to get quiet: One of the four jail cells at Lincoln Financial Field

Best place to meet an ex-convict: McAfee Coliseum

Best place to stomp your feet: Invesco Field

Best place to tailgate: Lambeau Field

Best mingling and meeting spot: The pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium

Best place to get a suntan: Raymond James Stadium

Best place to see a replay: M&T Bank Stadium

Best place to dress well: Texas Stadium

Best Super Bowl stadium: Louisiana Superdome

Best place to watch a night game: Reliant Stadium

Best place to get a nosebleed: Edward Jones Dome, upper level --D.P.
 
Cool list. They do this once a year.

2. Raymond James Stadium, TampaVery few parts of the stadium are shaded, so Florida's sunshine seemingly is everywhere during day games.
Not sure that's a good thing though. It gets absolutely brutally hot in September.
 
Cool list. They do this once a year.

2. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Very few parts of the stadium are shaded, so Florida's sunshine seemingly is everywhere during day games.
Not sure that's a good thing though. It gets absolutely brutally hot in September.
:goodposting: least comfortable game I've ever attended in my life.

I'd gladly take -40 windchill and snowing in Buffalo over the 100+ temps with 100% humidity down in Tampa

 
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Compared to Safeco (Mariners) I thought Qwest was pretty blah. The concourses are very similar to what we had with the Kingdome. Lots of bland concrete. Safeco is filled with all sorts of cool little items. Something interesting around every corner. Not even close to comparable IMO.

 
Give it a few more years and we'll see the new Indy Stadium in the top 5. That thing just looks amazing from the computer renditions, and maintains it's locale (well, it's actually 3 blocks farther removed from the hotels/bars/clubs....but oh well. I'm hoping they lease/sell the surrounding few blocks (mostly industrial or the transition from business to mid/low level housing to people wanting to build another layer or level of clubs/bars. Would make for a nice expansion of what I consier "downtown."

Nice list though, I need to try to get to more away games and visit some of these places. Only ever been to Indy, Soldier Field, and Edward Jones.

 
7. Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

What makes Heinz special is the open south end zone. A huge community concourse allows spectators to have views of where the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers intersect. The gold seats are a nice touch. When the Steelers score, the Heinz bottle atop the scoreboard tips and pours. No other stadium has made the potentially ugly specter of a corporate sponsor so entertaining. Heinz Field is pleasing to the eye, and it gives class to Pittsburgh's North Shore.
I havn't been in a couple years, but last time I was there, this happened when they made the red zone. Not when they scored.
 
Cool post.

I have to say that I disagree with the Superdome's lofty rating. It definitely deserves points for being stumbling distance to teh French Quarter, but inside it's as ugly as they get. They seats are far from the playing field so even if you pony up good money for prime real estate you don't feel like you're on top of the action. The suites are the size of broom closets and have NO amenities.

Everything in the Bucs rating is spot on. Hanging out by the Pirate ship swilling some beers while taking turns watching football and then bikini tops in between plays is one of the better live giridiron expeiences I've enjoyed.

Giants Stadium is definitely outdated but for a facility of it's age it's sightlines are still excellent. It's also a great tailgating venue thanks to the expanse of parking lots at the Meadowlands.

Baltimore's video screens are amazing. The suites are huge too although pretty much all the seating is outdoors, which surprised me. Their club level is nothing special.

The reviewer is tough on the Redskins. I don't disagree with anything in his assessment but he left out any mention of the Club Level at FedEx, which is the finest I've ever seen.

He summed up Carolina's home turf perfectly .... it's pleasant. The people are polite. The place just seems to ooze with Southern charm. I will say that the interior seating bowl would be much more attractive if they painted the concrete facade. The Redskins did this about 5 years ago and it made a world of difference.

I'm dying to catch a game at Invesco. I hear their club level renovations are amazing.

It doesn't surprise me to hear Seattle top the list. I haven't been in their crib but the baseball stadium is one of my favorites. They've figured out the whole stadium thing in that town.

 
Agreed with the Georgia Dome being the absolute pits.

HORRIBLE place to watch a game.
I've never seen a game there, but I've been in it. That place is freaking HUGE.The Metrodome's nickname is NOT the "Humpdome". It's the Hubert H. Humphreydome. And it's absolutely terrible. I hope they build the new one soon.

 
Give it a few more years and we'll see the new Indy Stadium in the top 5. That thing just looks amazing from the computer renditions, and maintains it's locale (well, it's actually 3 blocks farther removed from the hotels/bars/clubs....but oh well. I'm hoping they lease/sell the surrounding few blocks (mostly industrial or the transition from business to mid/low level housing to people wanting to build another layer or level of clubs/bars. Would make for a nice expansion of what I consier "downtown."

Nice list though, I need to try to get to more away games and visit some of these places. Only ever been to Indy, Soldier Field, and Edward Jones.
Has a decision been made regarding the fate of the RCA Dome once the Colts have a new stadium? If they demo it, has the future home of the Combine been determined?
 
I was surprised Arrowhead was as high as it is. Most people bag on Arowhead because its not downtown in KC. And as was noted, the concourses do suck, but there is a vote next week in KC to put a rolling roof over both sports stadiums (Kaufman for the ROyals), as well as widening counourses and ading new immenities @ Arrowhead. And if this thing gets a yes vote, KC has been awarded a Super Bowl, and an All-Star Game in the next 8-10 years.

I would love to see both stadiums downtown like most other metro areas...it would do our image well.

 
I was surprised Arrowhead was as high as it is. Most people bag on Arowhead because its not downtown in KC. And as was noted, the concourses do suck, but there is a vote next week in KC to put a rolling roof over both sports stadiums (Kaufman for the ROyals), as well as widening counourses and ading new immenities @ Arrowhead. And if this thing gets a yes vote, KC has been awarded a Super Bowl, and an All-Star Game in the next 8-10 years.

I would love to see both stadiums downtown like most other metro areas...it would do our image well.
Maybe I'm not remembering this right but hasn't the "roof idea" in Kansas City been talked about and then voted down for several years in a row now?
 
Best mingling and meeting spot: The pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium
:no: If you ever want to see the finest females Texas has to offer, head to Texas Stadium and visit the Corral, which is a large outdoor sportsbar immediately outside the stadium. You cannot beat the scenery.
 
Best mingling and meeting spot: The pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium
:no: If you ever want to see the finest females Texas has to offer, head to Texas Stadium and visit the Corral, which is a large outdoor sportsbar immediately outside the stadium. You cannot beat the scenery.
Florida Women > Texas hags
 
Had season tickets for years with the Saints and the concourses and meeting rooms provided excellent space for a 3x3 touch football game during pregame and halftime...

Went to Reliant 2 years ago adn thought this was the model that they should use to cater to fans. We had section 600 tickets all the way to the top of the roof and you felt like you were right on top of the game. It is an amazing venue.

 
Maybe I'm not remembering this right but hasn't the "roof idea" in Kansas City been talked about and then voted down for several years in a row now?
Nope...the roof idea was only brought up when the stadiums were built, and it was scrapped because of cost overruns...I wasnt even born then but thats what mypops said.Capella-if Jacksonville can get a SB then KC can. I dont know why the elitists have to have it in only certain areas. I would rather it only be in one stadium every year then rotate between only warm weather cities (or cities with new stadiums). You know, there are good cities west of the Mississippi and east of Las Vegas...people actually, God forbid, live here....but boases are biases and nothing I can say will ever change that.

 
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the area around the pirateship is top notch...tons of hotties down there
I do not doubt that fact but the talent at Texas Stadium and, more specifically, the Corral, is top shelf. I caught a game in Tampa and visited the boat. Well worth the trip but I will take the Corral every day.
Florida Women > Texas hags
If you are referring to FSU Cowgirl Chrystal, yes, you are correct. Other than that I think the talent level beteen the states is close. I need another Texan to back me up on this.
 
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Capella-if Jacksonville can get a SB then KC can. I dont know why the elitists have to have it in only certain areas. I would rather it only be in one stadium every year then rotate between only warm weather cities (or cities with new stadiums). You know, there are good cities west of the Mississippi and east of Las Vegas...people actually, God forbid, live here....but boases are biases and nothing I can say will ever change that.
Jacksonville shouldn't have had a Super Bowl either. Might as well let Mayberry host one.The Super Bowl should be in a place like New Orleans, or a beautiful waterfront city like Miami, Tampa or San Diego. You know, places where people from cities like Kansas City go to visit.

Nobody goes to visit Kansas City or Detroit unless it's for business or a funeral.

 
19. Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

This is a striking building from the outside. It's the best of the pure domes, even though it opened in 1975. The Superdome obviously was conceived with vision and foresight, and the concourses and ramps are well-done. But it still is a dome, and the interior is nothing special. The good news for Saints fans looking to forget a tough loss: They are just a few stumbles from Bourbon Street.
Was this before or after Katrina? :whistle:
 
Super Bowl sites:

San Diego (horrible stadium, great location)

New Orleans (horrible stadium, used to be great location)

Tampa (great stadium, great location)

Miami (mediocre stadium, great location)

Atlanta (mediocre domed stadium, good location)

Detroit (great domed stadium, horrible location)

Houston (great stadium, mediocre location)

Jacksonville (medicore stadium, mediocre location)

Arizona will likely be a regular part of the rotation with their new stadium. Any others?

Carolina?

Dallas?

Seattle?

 
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26. FedEx Field, Washington

This is an abomination that lacks the convenience and style of its predecessor, RFK Stadium. You get the feeling this place is more about money than football. When you're here, you feel like a pebble in the Grand Canyon. Everything is overdone, and the corporate presence is oppressive -- there's a Hooters on site, for crying out loud. The stadium is in the middle of nowhere, and traffic is a nightmare. But trying to park makes traffic seem like a dream.
It's not that bad. Worse than St. Louis and just better than Minnesota? Man.It's a great place to see an important game. That's probably the problem: there haven't been enough important games there. The largest stadium in the NFL has a great atmoshpere when something is on the line.

Lacks the style of RFK? RFK was built for baseball. How is that "style?"

One thing that really, really, really sucks about FedEx is the crappy jumbotron that only occassionaly shows replays and never shows stats, and the horrible sound system.

 
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It's hard to believe we've had 40 championship games without a team playing a home game for the Super Bowl. I see that changing in the not-so-distant future.

 
Has a decision been made regarding the fate of the RCA Dome once the Colts have a new stadium? If they demo it, has the future home of the Combine been determined?
AFAIK the Dome will be demo'd/dropped and a huge expansion to the Convention Center built up in it's place. I'd just assumed the Combine would be held at the new stadium once complete. I think there's a year or so overlap in the plan where both the Dome and new Stadium will exist.
 
Gillette is a beautiful stadium, and they're right, it's awesome in the fall.

But they are also correct in saying that it sucks to get in and out of. If you're in a hurry that is. If you get there early enough, and if you don't have to hurry on home after a game, it's quite acceptable.

Now, if we could only get those escalators like the have in Cincy, Philly and Pitts...

BTW, that article is like a year old... I'm a subscriber.

 
I was OK with this until Arizona came in at 18. I have not been to every stadium in the NFL. MN,Greenbay,Chicago,Detroit,AZ,KC, New England,Washington,Philly. These visits were all done before any renovations or the building of new stadiums in those cities.

18? PLEASE! This is an OK college stadium with some cool views. $50.00-$100.00 should have gotten you a better seat with more p;roffesional amenities. This is the only Pro team to play in a a college stadium for 18 years. I am sure some ranked below 18 are bad, but this was the worst experience for profersional football in America.

 
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Ford Field is awesome. I've sat in the uppers, lowers, clubs, and reserved. Love the views, love that it was built into an existing warehouse, and the location is perfect for Detroiters.

I can't wait to go to Quest Field. Probably in 2007.

The worst by far that I've been to is Texas stadium. Worst parking, bad location, and there are 60 some thousand Cowboy fans. :X

FedEX is too big and I've had bad seats there and you are four miles from the field. Parking is good and there are guys selling black market stuff from seas to shining sea.

What ever the Ravens Stadium is called is nice, and I liked the atmosphere there. Pretty good location in downtown.

Georgia Dome sucks and has bad parking plus the Falcons fans let the opposing teams fans get louder than they do. That was horrible.

Browns Stadium is also big but it's right on the lake and I like the set-up there.

I've been inside Cincinnati's stadium but didn't see a game there. That looks nice and it's on the river and near downtown so the location is cool.

Reliant is absolutely gorgeous. I saw the Big Twelve Championship game there in 2002 and I was so impressed. It's all glass on the outside and the field is just beautiful.

That's it for me.

 
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