You don't have to visit FedEx Field or even be a Washington Commanders fan to know that FedEx Field is the worst NFL stadium in the league. It's so bad that it's become a meme. The stadium is falling apart, and in January 2022, cameras caught it happening live. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was walking to the locker room and, along the way, he stopped to offer some high-fives to some fans in the stands. The railing between them fell, and the fans tumbled onto the field, nearly crushing Hurts in the process. Before that, fans filmed sewage pouring into the stands.
As if that's not enough, fans don't like going to FedEx Field for other reasons too, such as the ridiculous traffic surrounding the stadium, the overpriced food, expensive parking, and the fact that many seats don't offer a great view of the action of the field. Throw in the fact that the team hasn't been that great in recent years and the controversy surrounding the team's name change, and it's fitting that fans just aren't that into FedEx Field. It's not unusual to see the stands somewhat empty during a home game.
Formerly Paul Brown Stadium, Paycor Stadium opened in 2000 in Cincinnati, and it offers some great views of the city skyline, but the positive notes end there for the most part. The word "cheap" is often used when talking about going to a Bengals game as in you can usually find cheap food and parking, which is good, but often the word is associated with the stadium features themselves as well as the overall atmosphere. Fans say the stadium needs updating and an uptick in excitement.
To be fair, up until 2021, the Bengals hadn't been giving fans much to get excited about in recent years, but tried-and-true supporters want to show their love for the team. It's kind of hard to do when you can't hear the music being played during a game and there isn't much going on to pump up the crowd.
MetLife Stadium, built in 2010, is home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets...and hundreds of feral cats. One even ran onto the field during a game in 2019. It's the biggest stadium in the NFL, which is great, but size alone doesn't do it any favors with fans.
First, it's expensive. Fans say food and beverages are overpriced, and the prices for parking are well-known for being some of the highest in the NFL. But even beyond all that, MetLife Stadium is just kind of unattractive. Across the web, you'll find fans describing it with words like "gray" and "drab" and one even said it's like hanging out on the inside of a dull radiator.
The Buffalo Bills have been playing some great football in recent years and if players like franchise quarterback Josh Allen have anything to do with it, they'll keep that up for years to come. They're also slated to get a new stadium sometime before 2030 but, in the meantime, fans are stuck with Highmark Stadium, which has been described as a "dinosaur." It was built in the 1970s, and it has the look and amenities to prove it.
Few things have been upgraded in the decades since. Not to mention, traffic around the stadium is a nightmare when there's a home game. The worst part of all of it is that Buffalo can get pretty darn cold during football season, and fans often find themselves sitting in single-digit temperatures for hours on end.
We hated to put both of Ohio's NFL stadiums on the list, but if you want an excellent football experience in the Buckeye State, you'll probably have to head out to a college game. FirstEnergy Stadium is home to the Cleveland Browns, and while the Browns do have a great fan base, the stadium itself, which was built in 1999, is just sort of lackluster. It doesn't offer much in the way of excitement unless you count the fans' energy.
Considering the most exciting thing that's ever happened in the stadium is that the team broke a 19-game losing streak, it takes a lot to bring energy to a home game. The 2022 season will be even worse due to the whole Deshaun Watson and Baker Mayfield debacles. Throw in the fact that most games are extremely cold, thanks to the wind coming in off Lake Erie, and it's just easier to stay home and watch the Browns lose on TV.
Raymond James Stadium recently hosted a Super Bowl, and it's home to Tom Brady these days, so it's hard to imagine that it's not such a great place, but it has to go on the list. Sure, it has a 103-foot pirate ship. But that's about all it has. One of fans' biggest complaints about Raymond James is the location.
It doesn't sit right on Tampa Bay or even in the heart of the city of Tampa — it's right next to Tampa International Airport. That means traffic is troublesome, and there isn't a lot to do in the area. Parking is hard to come by, food is expensive, and customer service is lacking. During football season, those Sunday Florida afternoons can be hot and humid.
Nissan Stadium, home to the Tennessee Titans, does have some things going for it. Its location, for example, is outstanding. Step outside, and cross a bridge, and you're in the heart of Nashville's live music scene. But step away from all that glitz and glamor, and you don't have much to work with. The stadium was built in 1999, and fans say it's kind of falling apart.
It's in desperate need of some repairs and upgrades that don't seem to be happening. There's not much of a tailgating scene, and the atmosphere inside the stadium is kind of boring. Throw in the fact that it's one of the more expensive stadiums to visit, and you understand why Nissan made the list.
Built in 1987, Miami's Hard Rock Stadium is considered something of a landmark these days, but it's not a landmark Dolphins fans love to visit. Sure, it hosts many Super Bowls, and it's received a few upgrades in recent years but that's just not enough to drive fans to home games. Driving is probably the number one reason why fans don't go.
First, the stadium isn't even located in Miami. It's located in the city of Miami Gardens, which is about 15 miles north of Miami. There isn't much to do around the area, and even if there was, traffic will probably prevent you from doing it. Dolphins fans are notoriously late to games because traffic can be such a nightmare. Throw in that hot, humid South Florida weather, and it's best to stay home and watch the game from your air-conditioned house.
For some reason, Florida NFL teams just can't get their stadiums right, and Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Field is a great example of this. We'll start with the good stuff. The stadium sits on the St. Johns River, which means you get a nice view from the area. There's also a swimming pool inside where fans can pay to watch games from the water. That's about all we can come up with.
Fans say the stadium leaks when it rains, and the walkways are poorly designed. The vendor areas are often crowded due to poor planning, and one of the parking lots is said to be built on contaminated land from an old industrial incident. It doesn't help that the Jaguars haven't done much on the field to draw some fan spirit in recent years.
Levi's Stadium is one of the newer stadiums on the list, as it was built in 2014. Unfortunately, 49ers fans weren't impressed then, and haven't been ever since. The home to the San Francisco 49ers isn't in San Francisco — it's in Santa Clara. Fans didn't like that nor did they like the traffic that came with the move to the new city. The stadium has been described as having a "corporate" look with no character, history, or charm.
The worst part is the sun. The way the stadium is built, the sun shines right down on many of the seats, making them hot to the touch and blinding spectators at certain parts of the day. It seems like someone didn't properly think this through.
Located in Uptown Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium, which is home to the Carolina Panthers, isn't that old, but fans say it's one of the most dated stadiums in the league. It was built in 1996 and has since undergone several upgrades, but that hasn't helped it gain much favorability.
The stadium lacks amenities or anything to make it stand out. It could be the generic stadium used to film a movie or TV show from any decade in the 20th century. The tailgating scene is barely there, and it seems like construction is always going on around the stadium, so fans often have to park a good distance away and walk to the game.
Heinz Field opened in Pittsburgh in 2001, although you'd think it's been around longer. The team, the fans, and the overall atmosphere have turned it into one of the most exciting places to catch an NFL game. The location offers gorgeous views of the Ohio River, and you can't beat the sight of fans waving those yellow towels. So, what's the problem?
Well, in 2022, Heinz Field was renamed Acrisure Stadium. Fans weren't happy with the change, and some even went as far as to say it will impact the atmosphere. Beyond that, traffic can be quite difficult in that area of Pittsburgh, and going to a game is just plain expensive, from the price of a ticket to the price of parking to the price of a cold beer. Fans also say the stadium is in desperate need of some upgrades. If you aren't a fan of the home team, coming to the stadium can be an even bigger issue because Steelers fans have been voted one of the most hostile groups in the NFL.
The New England Patriots have been one of the most explosive teams of the 21st century, so you would think they'd have an exciting stadium to match. You'd be wrong. For a team that represents an entire region of the country, you'd think the stadium wouldn't be located in a remote area like Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is about 22 miles outside of Boston. That alone can make traffic a nightmare. Fans have complained of it taking hours just to get out of the parking lot after a game.
The other issue at Gillette is the price. Even though Tom Brady is gone, and New England is no longer an automatic playoff contender, it's thought to be the most expensive stadium to visit. Finally, Patriots fans have a reputation for being fairly rude to anyone who isn't a homer.
M&T Bank Stadium is somewhere in the middle of the road when it comes to NFL stadiums. It's not awful, but it's not great. The main reason for that is its urban location. Traffic and parking can be terrible to contend with on game day. Fans have complained of waiting for long periods of time for parking and never finding a space.
For a while, fans also thought the stadium felt dated, but in recent years, improvements like LED lights and elevators have been added to bring it into the 21st century.
Soldier Field is the oldest NFL stadium — it was initially built in 1924, although as you can imagine it's undergone many changes since then. It's also the smallest stadium in the NFL. That's great if you like history and tradition, but the actual game-day experience isn't quite so appealing unless you like to wait.
You'll wait to find a parking space, wait in long lines for food and beverages, and wait quite a while to get through security. Another common complaint is that upgrades over the last couple of decades have taken away the stadium's unique charm.
Ford Field is the home of the Detroit Lions. Located in Downtown Detroit, it has a typical capacity of 65,000. However, it can be expanded to offer 70,000 for football fans. Having been opened since 2002, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XL and concerts from mega artists like Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and One Direction.
It was named after the Ford Motor Company once naming rights were given to them. Interestingly, the Ford family has had a controlling interest in the Detroit Lions since 1963. The stadium itself is massive, but not hugely impressive. And you certainly won’t find yourself getting any fresh air there.
NRG Stadium in Houston Texas is of course, the home of none-other-than the Houston Texans. The transparent retractable roof is its most notable feature and it was also one of the first stadiums to do implement it. It’s certainly not the very best NFL stadium but it gets the job done.
The entire complex encompasses 350 acres and there are a total of 26,000 parking spaces. The stadium offers 7,000 luxury seats and 186 luxury suites. But don’t worry, the stadium has plenty of seating for everyone else too, offering a capacity of over 72K people.
Lincoln Financial Field, sometimes just called The Linc by locals, offers a breathtaking view of the Philadelphia skyline. It seats up to 69,596, which is nice, and it also hosts soccer and lacrosse games. But as every Philly resident fan knows, it’s the home of the Eagles and the college football team, the Temple Owls.
Having opened in 2003, construction on the stadium was completed in two years. The stadiums design is meant to emulate the wings of an eagle and there’s even an eagle's nest balcony at the north end-zone. The stadium offers a significant number of luxury seats, totaling 3,040 and there are two club lounges.
Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans is one of the city’s most iconic structures. Opened in 1975, fans have embraced Caesars Superdome as the home of the New Orleans Saints. It may not be the most lavish NFL stadium there is but it offers an amazing experience for fans nonetheless.
While it is certainly a bit rundown, the good news is that it is currently in the process of being renovated and once it is complete, there’s really no telling where the stadium will end up on our list. The renovation is said to cost over $450 million, and it should be complete by 2025, just in time for Super Bowl LIX.
Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado is the home venue of the Broncos. It opened in 2001 as a replacement for Mile High Stadium, the Bronco’s original home, and cost $400.9 million to build at the time. Its name comes not only from that old stadium but from the fact that it is indeed 1 mile above sea level.
In addition to hosting countless concerts from artists like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Bruce Springsteen, it was also the venue used by Barack Obama to deliver his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination. On the downside, it doesn’t have many restaurant options, which prevents it from earning a spot in the top 10.
The State Farm Stadium is a landmark in Glendale Arizona and it’s the 10th best stadium on our list. Its award-winning design features the very first retractable natural grass playing field as well as the first completely retractable roof. Its innovative design has transformed the way stadiums are being built today.
The multi-purpose NFL stadium will host the Super Bowl LVII in February 2023. Other events the stadium has hosted are the Gold Cup, the NCAA Final Four and international soccer events as well. Music artists like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Beyonce and the Rolling Stones have performed in concert at State Farm Stadium.
Arrowhead Stadium, located in Kansas City, Missouri is home to the Kansas City Chiefs. The stadium opened back in 1972. At the time, it cost $42 million to build, which today is nearly $280 million. It is the sixth largest stadium in the NFL and has a seating capacity of 76,416.
But the stadium isn’t just big. It also has an exciting atmosphere thanks to its dedicated fans. It even broke a record for having the loudest cheer at 142.2 decibels in 2014. Tailgating is massively popular here and that just goes to show the city’s love of the sport.
Lucas Oil Stadium is the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the stadium offers an outstanding experience every time you go. On top of offering plenty of seating for fans, the spacious stadium offers everyone some room to walk around and stretch their legs.
There are plenty of restaurant choices or you can easily have a tailgate party with your friends. One of the best things about this stadium is how easy parking is compared to other options. It features a retractable roof and retractable window to accommodate weather.
Lumen Field is home to the Seattle Seahawks. Going to a Seahawks game is quite the experience as the city of Seattle is known for having the loudest fans in the NFL. But it’s not just the level of volume, it’s the enthusiasm that generates from the crowd. Going to Lumen Field can make even the most casual NFL fan feel like they are part of something more important.
In addition to the comradery, Lumen Field offers a spectacular view of the game and surrounding city, no matter how much you paid for your seat. There are plenty of food choices and because the city of Seattle has such an awesome public transportation system, fans can ride the bus right to the stadium whenever there’s a game.
Allegiant Stadium was built for a ludicrously high $1.9 billion, which is a lot, even for an NFL stadium. However, once you see it, you can really tell where all that money went to. The enormous stadium features over 65K seats and offers an array of restaurants. It’s like its own little slice of the big city.
Of course, in Vegas, its completely normal to go all out, which is probably why the team’s stadium budget goes unacknowledged for the most part. The stadium has already hosted numerous concerts, having only opened in 2020.
The stadium has just one major flaw that hopefully will resolve in time: physically getting into the venue can be quite the endeavor due to traffic congestion.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium that is home to the Atlanta Falcons. It is well-known for its retractable roof in the shape of a pinwheel. A symphony of art and flair, the design of this stadium is truly something to behold. But all that beauty definitely cost a pretty penny. Reportedly, it cost $1 Billion to build.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 and has been gaining popularity quickly. It reached its peak capacity in 2022 at 79,330 for the Peach Bowl. In addition to NFL games, the stadium hosts games for the MLS and is set to host multiple matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lambeau Field doesn’t look like much, but the stadium is well-kept and bears a lot of meaning for its fans. Unlike other stadiums located in a major city downtown, Lambeau Field is located in a smaller town, Green Bay, Wisconsin – where the team’s namesake comes from.
The Stadium opened back in 1957 under the name City Stadium as a replacement for another stadium by the same name. In 1965, it became Lambeau Field, named after Packers’ founder Curly Lambeau. In addition to offering both luxury and bench seating, it’s a great spot for tourists thanks to its museum commemorating the stadium’s history.
The U.S. Bank Stadium earns the stop in number three as one of the most visually stunning and modern-looking NFL Stadium there is. The indoor stadium features a glass roof allowing its spectators and athletes to enjoy a little sunlight while also giving everyone some shielding from the rain.
Having opened in 2016, the stadium isn’t even a decade old yet, but its already hugely popular. Artists such as Taylor Swift, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and Ed Sheeran have performed there. In addition to hosting concerts, it also hosts baseball games in the off-season.
If there’s one thing the Dallas Cowboys know how to do, it’s how to put on a good show. Even the cheerleaders of this National favorite are famous. The stadium itself is huge, because of course, everything is bigger in Texas, but it also accommodates its enormous collection of fans.
The stadium holds a whopping 100,000 people at its peak, so you can imagine the thunderous enthusiasm from its spectators. The stadium also hosts the Big 12 Championship Game, as well as other sporting events such as rodeos, motocross, basketball games, and concerts. Having served fans for over a decade now, this stadium has well earned its spot as the number two NFL stadium.
SoFi Stadium is the most expensive NFL stadium in the nation and number one on our list. SoFi Stadium cost an estimated $5.5 billion. That’s a heck of a lot for a team, the Los Angeles Rams, that few Californians even care about. But even if you aren’t an NFL fan, you’ll still appreciate this architectural wonder.
Formerly a horse racing course, the location was transformed into an NFL stadium starting in 2016. Located in Hollywood Park, the stadium can hold over 70K people. After opening in 2020, the stadium earned the award for Outstanding Architectural Engineering Project in 2021 from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The stadium also features luxury cabanas, but you’ll need to shell out a lot more money for that experience.
