What are the best NFL stadiums? A great stadium doesn’t just provide a comfy seat and is nice to look at — it provides an unforgettable experience. Here are the top NFL stadiums ranked from worst to first.
Best NFL stadiums
When you rank the best NFL stadiums, you can’t just rate who has the shiniest new toy. Great stadiums have a storied history, loyal fans, lively tailgating, and delicious food. Atmosphere matters, even the most extravagant castle feels empty when filled with apathy (looking at L.A. and Atlanta).
Even if your team sucks, a great fanbase can help create the best stadium atmosphere. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and the New Orleans Saints proved this for years. Even when the chips were down, and ticket buyers wore paper bags over their heads, the fans made for a memorable experience on Sunday.
30) FedEx Field, Commanders
The Washington Commanders fanbase doesn’t deserve this. Washington was once one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, racking up three Super Bowls in ten years at the historic RFK stadium. The Hogs made offensive linemen worth watching, and RFK had among the best NFL stadium atmospheres.
FedEx Field is located 45 minutes from downtown in the suburbs, the team isn’t good, and everybody hates their owner, Dan Snyder.
As a result, the stadium rarely sells out, and when fans do show up, they might get water poured all over them due to a burst pipe. Or the barriers could collapse, causing fans to fall into the tunnel. The tailgating can be good, but in-house food options are mostly bland and overpriced.
29) Hard Rock Stadium, Dolphins
Hard Rock Stadium now has excellent food, and people love its location. However, the stadium is average and mostly filled with fairweather fans.
There’s too much fun to be had elsewhere in Dade County, and the Miami Dolphins suffer for it. Unless the Dolphins put together another undefeated season, there are better parties going on.
28) MetLife Stadium, Giants and Jets
You would think a stadium hosting two historic New York sports teams would feel special, but it’s bland. Among the biggest NFL stadiums, it’s comfortable but doesn’t harbor a terrific environment.
You also have to take over an hour train ride to get there from Manhattan cause it’s located in New Jersey. MetLife Stadium doesn’t have great food options either despite being associated with one of the greatest food cities on earth.
The New York Giants and New York Jets are prominent organizations, and New York City is extraordinary — it’s a shame their gameday experience is barely average.
27) TIAA Bank Field, Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguar fans create a surprisingly fun gameday occurrence. The environment is typically lively, loose, and a bit drunk.
TIAA Bank Field also has a pool. Neat! The rest of the stadium is severely outdated, and the Jaguars themselves aren’t currently worth watching, but they get bonus points for a lovely and convenient location.
26) Paul Brown Stadium, Bengals
Joe Burrow has single-handedly flipped the Cincinnati Bengals gameday experience on its head. Who Dey nation no longer arrives at Paul Brown Stadium dawning paper bags on their heads in support of the Bungles. They’re a real football team now. Unfortunately, the arena is just meh, even if the team isn’t.
The stadium itself is a bit older and doesn’t offer much in the way of a unique fan experience. However, it does sit downtown on the Ohio River, offers a beautiful view, and is relatively cheap.
25) Bank of America Stadium, Panthers
Good location, great food, nice stadium, average experience. There’s nothing terrible going on in Charlotte… except Carolina Panthers’ football. Bank of America Stadium was built in the 90s and feels like a stadium built in the 90s. It’s had some nice upgrades but doesn’t bring anything flashy to the table.
The downtown location makes for a fun gameday experience. But, if you’re looking for a top-notch outing in the Carolinas, stick to college sports.
24) Levi’s Stadium, 49ers
Candlestick Park was among the league’s most historic and unique fan experiences. There was nothing Levi’s Stadium could’ve done to replicate the home Joe Montana built when he led the San Francisco 49ers to four championships.
Unfortunately, creating a reasonably sterile stadium over an hour away and charging exorbitant prices has tanked one of the best NFL atmospheres. However, they offer some of the league’s most incredible food, even if it breaks the bank.
23) State Farm Stadium, Cardinals
Arizona sports fans aren’t the most dedicated, and the entire state is full of transients. So while the building is attractive, it’s not one of the best NFL stadiums and has a dull location.
There have been a few memorable Super Bowls here, but not many memorable Arizona Cardinal games. Like its fans and football team, State Farm Stadium is fine.
22) Soldier Field, Bears
Walking into Soldier Field should feel like a top NFL stadium experience. A franchise can’t have much more history than the Chicago Bears, and most of their lore was created at Soldier Field.
Unfortunately, botched renovations cost the stadium its landmark status. The location is cool but inconvenient, and there’s nothing in the way of dining to make you say ‘wow.’ The actual field is also garbage, and most teams, including the Bears, hate playing on it.
21) Nissan Stadium, Titans
Nissan Stadium is home to the best location in the entire league, just a pedestrian bridge away from Broadway in downtown Nashville.
Other than that, the Tennessee Titans are housed in a paint-by-numbers structure and don’t have a particularly rabid fanbase. They feature some tasty food, but you’d still find a better meal outside the building.
20) Gillette Stadium, Patriots
The greatest dynasty in modern sports plays on a painfully average field. Gillette Stadium is located over 40 minutes outside of Boston, it’s hell to get in and out of, doesn’t have many amenities in the area, and the food choices are underwhelming. Not to mention ticket prices remain through the roof.
As for the stadium, it’s modern, looks nice, and has a convenient layout. New England Patriot fans make for a memorable experience and are right up there with the most faithful in the league. In addition, they feature one of the best environments in the league.
The world witnessed this during the 2014-15 playoffs when the whole arena erupted, singing along to the Outfield’s ‘Your Love’ in the freezing cold as the Patriots finished their second 14-point comeback against the Baltimore Ravens.
19) Raymond James Stadium, Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium has a pirate ship, and your stadium does not. Said pirate ship fires off cannons every time the team scores a touchdown. Currently, Tom Brady is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, so if you go there, you’ll get to see a ton of cannon fire. Very delightful!
One of the greatest NFL stadiums to watch games in because of this. The crowd loves it. The structure is a little dated, but they have some decent Cuban food and are in a great location.
18) NRG Stadium, Texans
The Houston Texans helped kick off the luxury arena craze with NRG Stadium. Once one of the best NFL stadiums, it’s still a beauty but no longer feels as impressive.
It’s not situated in a great spot, and Texans fans are near the bottom of the league — it’s hard to compete with the Dallas Cowboys and college football in Texas.
However, they might have the best NFL stadium food. All the great food Texas and the South are known for is available at NRG Stadium. That alone is worth the trip.
17) Empower Field at Mile High, Broncos
Great location and a beautiful view, Empower Field has a lot going for it.
Unfortunately, the stadium itself is pretty outdated and could use some work. Prices are on the steep side, but that doesn’t stop Denver Broncos fans from showing up and creating a rocking environment.
16) FirstEnergy Stadium, Browns
For years, Cleveland Browns fans kept showing up to FirstEnergy Stadium and showing off one of the most raucous NFL crowds. It’s one of the best NFL stadiums to tailgate, and it’ll sell out no matter the on-field product.
But there’s no history or memorable moments. So even though the crowd is electric, FirstEnergy doesn’t have the momentous feel of some of its contemporaries.
The upper deck also gets unbearably windy, and they don’t offer a wide-ranging food menu. Although everything you eat is done pretty well.
15) M&T Bank Stadium, Ravens
Like the Baltimore Ravens franchise, M&T Bank Stadium is above average everywhere. Excellent structure, fun location, great food, decent tailgating, and dedicated fans.
The stadium and everything with it won’t rank anywhere in the top five but still makes for a memorable gameday experience. Ravens fans are fun and loud. The crab cakes and other seafood options served at the stadium are delicious. Most pregame events might not be considered traditional tailgating, but there’s a ton of entertainment in the surrounding areas.
14) Ford Field, Lions
Ford Field and the Detroit Lions have a very similar feel to the Browns, but at least they get to play inside. The Lions stadium is quite beautiful, modern, and has a fantastic location in downtown Detroit.
The fans haven’t had much to cheer for since Barry Sanders, but they make the most of their moments. The Lions also have one of the best fight songs in the entire league. Expect Ford Field to shoot up the rankings in the next couple of seasons, and the Detroit Lions finally put a team on the field worth cheering for. I bet it becomes one of the best experiences in the NFL.
13) Highmark Stadium, Bills
By all accounts, Highmark Stadium sucks. The location could be closer to downtown Buffalo, and their food isn’t anything to write home about.
But they have literally everything else! One of the wildest crowds in the league, it’s the best NFL stadium to tailgate at, and has a legendary history. So what would you rather be a part of; a top-shelf atmosphere that features people getting drunk, lighting themselves on fire, and jumping through tables, or you overpay to sit in a bloated, soulless cathedral that’s nothing more than a billionaire showing off?
The Buffalo Bills have some of the best fans in the league, and you can feel it at their games. Some of the stadiums higher than them on this list wish they could get a tenth of the energy that Bills fans create.
12) Caesars Superdome, Saints
Is one of the best NFL atmospheres, a roaring crowd, and a deep history enough to make up for a crumbling and outdated stadium? I think so.
Caesars Superdome has hosted Super Bowls, held Muhammed Ali fights, and survived hurricanes. New Orleans Saints fans know how to get a building shaking and have caused several false starts. The stadium is near Bourbon Street and the bustling French Quarter, so there’s endless fun to be had before and after games.
11) Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Falcons
Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta Falcons are the inverse of the Saints and the Superdome. The structure is state of the art and one of the best NFL stadiums. It has everything you could want and looks like it’s from the future.
No expense was spared when it came to layout and design. Unfortunately, it’s filled with Falcons fans who are fairweather at best due to Georgia being a college state.
10) SoFi Stadium, Rams and Chargers
The most magnificent monument to money in North American sports. If we’re talking just the structure, it’s the best NFL stadium. The league’s crown jewel. There’s no magic, though.
The Rams and Chargers, especially the Chargers, don’t have a passionate fanbase in L.A. Outside of the Lakers and their college teams, Los Angeles isn’t a great sports town. The Rams and Chargers also don’t have a national brand like the Raiders.
So what do you get? You get a dazzling work of art in an okay location, subpar tailgating, indifferent fans, and an impotent atmosphere. And to top it all off, they have the worst food in the league! Imagine paying $5.5 billion for the most incredible stadium in the world and serving up bland concession food. And you do that in Los Angeles, home of the world’s greatest fusion restaurants.
If you’re into architecture, SoFi is for you. If you want to feel like football is an event, look elsewhere.
9) Lincoln Financial Field, Eagles
Some of the loudest and most dedicated fans fill Lincoln Financial Field every Sunday. And, unlike the stadiums in Buffalo and New Orleans, the Linc still holds up. That alone makes it one of the best NFL stadiums to visit. Philadelphia sports fans get a bad rep, but no one can say they’re not devoted.
The Eagles boast one of the liveliest tailgating parties, and to top it off, many also rank Philly as having the best NFL stadium food. Still, wear opposing jerseys at your own risk.
8) Lucas Oil Stadium, Colts
People love Lucas Oil Stadium for its incredible location, beautiful architecture, and general level of comfort and convenience.
They’re docked points for serving average food and being among the quietest crowds in the league. For whatever reason, the Indianapolis Colts haven’t been able to cultivate a rowdy fanbase and environment.
7) Allegiant Stadium, Raiders
Allegiant Stadium is absolutely stunning. A beautiful front to God, shining in the middle of the desert. Its location is superb, and everything inside, from your food to your seating, is the best that money can buy.
Unfortunately, you need a lot of money to experience it as it’s the most expensive stadium in the league by a good clip. The Las Vegas Raiders have also struggled to create the same insane environment the Golden Knights built, although it’s not devoid of energy either.
You got to feel for Oakland, man. They lost affordable and successful football and basketball in just a few short years.
6) AT&T Stadium, Cowboys
Jerry Jones would be apoplectic to find out his masterpiece was only sixth of all the top NFL stadiums ranked. Some would tell you the video board alone is worth the price of admission. Others rave about the high level of comfort and delicious food. Jerry might not know football, but he understands luxury.
The Dallas Cowboys play in a top-of-the-line stadium with all the amenities and features you could ask for.
Surprisingly, despite the Cowboys being a worldwide brand, you got a lot of opposing fans piling into Jerry World. Its Arlington location is inconvenient, and the exorbitant parking price dampers the tailgating scene.
5) Lumen Field, Seahawks
Lumen Field gets loud, like shake the ground loud — the Beastquake got its name for a good reason. The 12s always show up full force, ready to shatter ear drums. The location is also a stone’s throw from downtown Seattle, and the stadium’s food is exquisite.
The bars in the area are fun, but there’s not much in the way of tailgating. The price of a day at Lumen Field is also hard on the wallet, although the Seattle Seahawks have been good enough to stomach it. We’ll see how that affects the stadium’s atmosphere now that the last remnants from the Legion of Boom have moved on.
4) Acrisure Stadium, Steelers
While Acrisure Stadium doesn’t have the same ring as America’s favorite ketchup company, seeing a Pittsburgh Steelers game live is a must for NFL fans. The stadium is merely good, but it has one of the best NFL atmospheres. It’s hard to compete with 60,000 fans waving terrible towels and cheering at the top of their lungs.
Acrisure has a convenient downtown location and combines that with great tailgating. One of the few stadiums to have both. In-house food isn’t cutting edge, but they do perogies and sandwiches better than any stadium in the league.
3) U.S. Bank Stadium, Vikings
A new shiny shrine to football that actually harbors an exciting atmosphere. A fire-breathing dragon, Viking horns, Viking ships, a great chant, and rowdy fans breathe life into U.S. Bank Stadium. Unlike other new stadiums that make it feel like you’re walking through an exceptionally nice airport, the Minnesota Vikings retain a proper gridiron feel.
If Skol chants weren’t enough to entice you, they have a fantastic downtown location that allows you to get in and out while mostly avoiding the cold. The only downside is limited tailgating. Most other Midwest fanbases boast some of the best tailgating in the league, but the Vikings fall a bit short here.
2) Arrowhead Stadium, Chiefs
The loudest stadium in the NFL, and they didn’t have to design the stadium to make it that way. Kansas City Chiefs fans show up to Arrowhead in droves and get that loud on their own. The Kansas City fans make it among the best NFL stadiums. The Chiefs also feature the most iconic tailgating scene in the NFL.
That sweet, sweet KC BBQ is infectious from the second you near the parking lot. A sea of red grilling some of the best food you’ll ever eat surrounds the stadium. You can feel all 50 years of history in the stands as the Chiefs fans turn up the volume, singing, chanting, and yelling. Arrowhead Stadium is a magical experience.
The only downside is the distance from Kansas City, but their tailgate is the best party in the area anyway.
1) Lambeau Field, Packers
The holy grail of North American stadiums, it doesn’t get any better than the historic Lambeau Field. The best atmosphere in the NFL helps make this the best NFL stadium. Green Bay’s tailgating scene can be put against any team in the league, and the on-field environment is the stuff legends are made of. No matter the weather or temperature, you can bet Lambeau Fields will be packed to the brim with 80,000 fans screaming, ‘Go Pack Go!’
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-see in its own right. The 100-plus years of history speak to you from all over the stadium. The Lambeau Leap also ranks amongst the best celebrations in football.
It’s not in a city, so there’s not much outside of tailgating and the museum on gameday. The food options aren’t wide-ranging either, but they do mouthwatering bratwurst, cheese curds, and poutines. All that seems to add to the small-town charm that Green Bay Packers have kept through all these years.
