The National Football League’s football games enjoy a very popular following by Americans and others from all over the world with a passion for the sport. Football teams and their management always prefer playing in their own stadium and in front of their own fans; for some, the boisterous support they get from their home crowds makes them unbeatable and invincible.
We will look at the 10 Best Football stadiums in the NFL presently and explore their cost, capacity, and what makes them extraordinary.
Best NFL Stadium
1. SoFi Stadium
This stadium would eventually be the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, both of the NFL, and was scheduled for completion in July 2020 (currently impacted by the global Covid-19 pandemic).
The stadium will have one of the best 4K HD Display systems when completed and it will also have 260 speakers system, as well as 56 x 5G antennas to aid communication during games. It will have a fixed and transparent roof and several other state of the art facilities when it is eventually completed and put to use.
Capacity
The capacity of the stadium at completion would be 70,240 and this can easily be increased to 100,240 for special events like the Super Bowl and other major sporting events. It will have a total of 260 Executive suites as well.
Unfortunately, the opening of the stadium may be without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cost
The cost of the stadium at completion has been tentatively pegged at $ 4.6 billion (barring the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic) making it the most expensive stadium in the world.
2. Allegiant Stadium
Located in Paradise, Nevada, it will be the home of the Las Vegas Raiders as well as a college football team, University of Nevada Rebels.
The stadium will have a large retractable windows side, which will have a very large torch with a flame in honor of the late Raiders owner, Al Davis (expected to be the largest 3D printed object ever made).
Capacity
It will have a capacity of 65,000 seats for football games, which can be increased by another 7,000 when the need arises. For soccer games, it will have a rated capacity of 61,000 seats. It is expected to include 128 Executive Suites upon completion.
Cost
The stadium will cost about $ 1.84 billion to build – barring any additional costs to be incurred due to the effect of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
3. Lambeau Field
This is the home of the NFL team, the Green Bay Packers and it is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin in the United States of America. In 2007, the stadium broke the all-time continuously operating stadium record when the Packers completed their 51st season there, and it has become a sort of mecca to all American Football lovers with its excellent infrastructures and tour facilities.
Capacity
The stadium has a rated capacity of 81,441 including 168 suites, and it recorded it’s highest attendance on January 11, 2015, with 79,704. It is worth noting that the capacity of the stadium was expanded 9 times between 1961 and 2013 since it was initially built.
Cost
The initial cost of constructing the stadium was put at $ 960,000 as at the time of completion on September 29, 1957 (which is worth over $ 400 million in 2019). The stadium has been renovated twice between 2001 and 2015.
4. AT&T Stadium
This stadium, formerly known as the Cowboys Stadium, offers one of the most immersive entertainment surround systems to the spectators. It has an award-winning HD Video Display which is accompanied by an equally impressive sound system.
The stadium is the home of the NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys, and boasts of having more than 3000 Sony LCD televisions scattered all over the concession areas, luxurious suites, and several other places. It also has a retractable roof, which makes it ideal for also hosting concerts and such other events.
Capacity
The stadium has a seating capacity of 80,000 on a normal basis, but it can be expanded by another 25,000 if special events such as music concerts call for it. It’s worth noting that there are a total of 342 Executive Suites in the stadium.
Cost
The stadium cost a total of $ 1.3 billion to construct, which took place over 4 years culminating in its official opening on May 27, 2009.
5. Century Link Field
Sited in Seattle, Washington in the United States, the stadium has been known by many names in the past – including Seahawks and Qwest Stadium. It is the home of the MLS team, Seattle Sounders FC, and NFL team, Seattle Seahawks.
It was rated as one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, giving fans and the home team that intimidating ambiance needed to win dicey games. The stadium is built rock-solid as it withstood a 6.8 magnitude earthquake without damages during construction.
Capacity
The stadium has different seating capacities for different sports and events. It has 37,222 capacity for MLS games, 68,740 capacity for NFL games, and an option to expand the capacity to 72,000 for special events.
Cost
A total of $ 430 million was spent to construct the stadium over a 4 year period, which culminated in its official opening on July 28, 2002.
6. U.S. Bank Stadium
This stadium is the home of the Minnesota Vikings and college football team, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The fixed-roof, glass-clad stadium is a beauty to behold, and the transparent roof and walls make it possible for fans to enjoy the landscape of downtown Minneapolis, and lets in very generous rays of light.
Capacity
The stadium has a seating capacity of 66,860 for football events, which can easily be expanded to 73,000 capacity when the need arises for such. It also has 131 Executives Suites for the viewing pleasure and convenience of those who desire it.
Cost
The cost of constructing the stadium stood at $1.06 billion as at the time of opening the facility for use on July 2016, but it was expected to rise by another $10 million after it was discovered that the highly reflective glass used for the exterior was causing high bird fatalities and may need to be replaced.
7. State Farm Stadium
This was known originally as the University of Phoenix stadium and is located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the NFL team. Arizona Cardinals.
The stadium was named as one of the 10 Most Impressive sports facilities worldwide by Business Week. It has an all grass playing surface and 88 luxury lofts – attesting to its opulence. It offers excellent and unobstructed viewing delight for the spectators from all around the stadium. The translucent retractable roof is made of a one of a kind fabric called, Birdair.
Capacity
The stadium has a normal capacity of 63,400, but there is ample provision for expansion up to 72,000 if the need arises; this can further be increased by an additional standing capacity of 6,400.
Cost
The cost of building the stadium is put at $455 million at the time of its completion, and it was opened for use in August 2006.
8. Heinz Field
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – known for its famed steel production, the stadium has been the home of both NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers and College Football team, the Pittsburgh Panthers.
The stadium, apart from hosting NFL games, has played host to several other sports and music concerts as well, and continues to lure people to continue to enjoy its facilities and ambiance at all times.
Capacity
The current capacity of the stadium stands at 64,400 – increased from its 64,450 capacity in 2001. It also has 129 Executive Suites available for its patrons, alongside 2 club lounges, 12 meeting rooms, and 2 exhibition halls.
Cost
The cost of construction of the stadium was put at $ 281 million as of August 2001 when the stadium was opened (which is reportedly worth about $ 406 million in 2019).
See Also: 10 Most Expensive Stadiums In Sports: Cost Of Construction, Capacity, Facts
9. Lucas Oil Stadium
This well thought out the multi-purpose stadium is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has been home to both the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL and MLS team, Indy’s Eleven.
It has a very large retractable window on one of its ends, as well as a retractable roof; this ingenuity allows the host teams to play in both indoor and outdoor conditions. It is on records that the home team decides if it would play under closed or opened roof conditions, about an hour and a half before any of its home games.
Capacity
Lucas Oil Stadium has a built-up capacity of 67,000, but should the occasion demand for more capacity, it can be increased by an additional 3,000. There are 139 Executive suites on-site, with state of the art facilities.
Cost
The construction cost of the stadium which was completed in 2008, and officially opened on August 16, 2008, was put at $ 720 million.
10. Mercedes Benz Stadium
This stadium was built to host several sports and events and is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It has served as the home Atlanta Falcons and MLS team, Atlanta United FC.
The iconic design of the stadium and the shape of its retractable roof, coupled with its mind-blowing HD video board and several other excellent facilities on-site, make this one of the best stadiums in the NFL.
Capacity
The stadium has a capacity to seat 42,500 persons during soccer games, and that increases to 71,000 while hosting American Football games; should standing spectators be required during a game, an additional 2,000 persons can be admitted into the stadium.
Cost
The projected cost of constructing the stadium was put at $ 1.6 billion. The construction began in 2014 and was completed and opened on August 26, 2017.
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