Ranking the 10 biggest NFL stadiums in 2024
Despite receiving top billing as the nation’s favorite pastime, the National Football League left baseball in the dust a half-century ago as the most popular professional sport in the United States. The NFL’s format is more amenable to television and involves more action than baseball.
According to the most recent statistics, the NFL remains the No. 1 spectator sport in the United States. with 52 percent of sports fans claiming it is their most fervent passion and the sport is growing in popularity throughout the world, especially in Europe.
The National Football League possesses a rabid fan base with people snatching up tickets to witness their favorite teams compete. Therefore, it follows suit the NFL would take center stage in large arenas. What follows is some brief insight into some of the biggest NFL stadiums and the best NFL stadiums in 2024.
Related:
Best Sports Betting Apps in Canada
10. Lumen Field-Seattle Seahawks
Renamed in 2020, Lumen Field was previously known as Qwest Field and Centurylink Field. Constructed over the site of the Kingdome, the stadium opened in 2002 and is the home field for the Seattle Seahawks and Sounds FC. The arena, however, hosts Major League Soccer and World Cup soccer in addition to collegiate soccer.
Lumen Field was constructed with a seating capacity of 68,740 with 5,000 seats for special events and 1,400 seats for fans with disabilities. The stadium complex includes Lumen Field and the Lumen Field Event Center, which hosts some of the most popular musicians in the world including Taylor Swift this summer and numerous boat shows, food tastings and theatre acts. The complex manages more than 300 significant event days throughout the year and Lumen Field will be a site for the 2026 World Cup.
Since 2011, the Seahawks have contributed more than $90 million in upgrades. In fact, in 2022, Lumen Field introduced “Fanovation” to improve the experience for those in attendance. One of the upgrades was the installation of two north-end video boards and a 6,300-square-foot concession area with construction costs of $430 million.
9. AT&T Stadium-Dallas Cowboys
AT&T Stadium opened with much fanfare in 2009 and was immediately one of the best NFL stadiums. Formerly known as Cowboys Stadium, AT&T Stadium was erected for $1.5 billion in construction costs, has a retractable roof, and possessed the largest HD video board in the world at the time. Also known as the Jerry World or the Death Star, AT&T Stadium can hold 100,000 fans, but a significant event can accommodate more than 138,000 people.
AT&T Stadium has hosted the Big 12 Championship Game, the Cotton Bowl, Major League Soccer, the NBA All-Star Game, which was then a record crowd, and hosted WrestleMania this year.
Located in Arlington, Texas, AT&T Stadium also hosts significant events such as concerts, industry event shows, motocross, and rodeos. With more than 300 executive suites, AT&T Stadium provides private and corporate parties.
AT&T Stadium may host the World Cup finals in 2026 and will be the site of the NCAA Final Four in 2030. It has also been prolific in providing a site for boxing matches, featuring stars such as Manny Pacquiao.
8. Raymond James Stadium-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium is ranked 8th as one of the top 10 biggest NFL stadiums in 2023. The 69,000-seat arena can expand to 75,000 and first open in 1998.
Situated in Tampa, Florida, Raymond James Stadium is the official home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls. The facility has also hosted the Outback Bowl, three Super Bowls, the College Football National Championship, WrestleMania and some of the most popular performers in the world such as U2.
The arena has hosted numerous soccer, equestrian and monster truck events and initially was $268 million to construct. In 2016, the Raymond James Center underwent a facelift and installed in a state-of-the art audio video system that is one of the best not only in the United States but in the world.
Known for its iconic pirate ship, Raymond James Stadium is known for having the second-best turf in the National Football League and remains one of the best NFL stadiums in 2023.
7. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium-Kansas City Chiefs
In 2021 Arrowhead Stadium changed its name to add GEHA. The home to the Kansas City Chiefs is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and is a component of the Truman Sports Complex. With more than 76,000 seats, GEHA Field was constructed in 1972 for $266 million. A $375 million was commenced in 2010 and the site will host a significant event in 2026 which is the FIFA World Cup.
In 2014, the world record for the loudest audience was re-established at Arrowhead Stadium. GEHA Field has hosted three women's national team soccer matches and one men's. It is one of the oldest National Football League arenas in the United States and one of the best NFL stadiums. GHEA Stadium has also hosted the Big 12 Conference’s Football Championships.
6. Allegiant Stadium-Las Vegas Raiders
Allegiant Stadium is a domed stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The facility is the home arena for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels College Football team, the Las Vegas Bowl and the Vegas Kickoff Classic.
Allegiant Stadium is located on 62 acres right off the famous Las Vegas Strip and will host the Superbowl in 2024. It was the second most costly stadium in the world with a construction cost of $1.9 billion. Work began on the stadium in 2017 and Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020.
The stadium hosted the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final. It holds 65,000 football spectators and 61,000 soccer supporters. Allegiant Stadium has 128 executive suites and is one of the best NFL stadiums.
Allegiant Stadium will also host the Final Four and Colle Football National Championship game in 2028. Like many of its counterparts, the arena is the home of many trade shows and world class concerts.
Allegiant Stadium hosted last year’s NFL Pro Bowl and will host another significant event in 2024 Super Bowl, demonstrating it is the largest NFL stadium in 2023.
5. Lucas Oil Stadium-Indianapolis Colts
A multi-purpose stadium situated in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, Lucas Oil Stadium took the place of the RCA Dome. The arena is home to the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League and the Indy Eleven and opened in 2008.
Lucas Oil Stadium can seat 67,000 people and is 1.8 million square feet. An underground walkway directly connects the stadium to the Indiana Convention Center which allows access to 4,700 hotel rooms without people ever having to step outside.
Lucas Stadium cost $720 million to construct and can seat more than 70,000 for basketball and other events. It has hosted both the men’s and women’s National Championship games and the Final Four.
The retractable roof is the first of its kind in the United States and has two panels. It takes 11 minutes to open and each panel weighs 2.5 million pounds. It is determined 90 minutes before kick-off whether the roof will be opened or not.
The north window is also retractable with a full view of downtown Indianapolis and sits in an angled position.
Lucas Oil Stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2012 and will host a significant event in the Olympic Swimming Trials in 2024. Lucas Stadium will host the men’s Final Four in 2026 and 2029. The arena remains one of the best NFL stadiums in 2023.
4. State Farm Stadium-Arizona Cardinals
State Farm Stadium is a multi-purpose venue located in Glendale, Arizona, and is the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl.
The stadium opened in 2006 and seats 63,400 fans but can expand to 73,000. State Farm Stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, two National College Football Championship games, and 2017 Final Four. It consists of more than 1.7 million square feet.
State Farm Stadium boasts the first retractable natural grass playing field and the first completely retractable roof in the United States that works on an incline.
Named 'Event Site of the Year' by Event Solutions Magazine in 2007, State Farm Stadium opened in 2006. It has been named Best NFL Facility by Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily in 2006 and 2007, NFL's best playing surface in 2008 and Best New Venue of the 2000s by Sports Illustrated.
State Farm Stadium will host the Final Four in 2024 and another significant event in this year’s Super Bowl. State Farm Stadium cost $455 million to construct and is certainly one of the best NFL stadiums.
3. NRG Stadium-Houston Texans
Formerly known as Reliant Stadium, NRG Stadium is one of the best NFL stadiums in 2023 and is located in Houston, Texas. The facility is the home of the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Texas Bowl and a multitude of national soccer matches. The arena opened in 2002 and the construction costs were $352 million. The facility seats 72,220 people, was the first in the National Football League and the United States to have a retractable roof and is one of the largest NFL stadiums.
NRG Stadium has hosted two Super Bowls and a significant event in Wrestlemania and will present a number of soccer matches for the 2026 World Cup.
The stadium is one of several buildings, which includes the Astrodome, and is referred to as NRG Park after the energy company which owns its naming rights.
NRG Stadium’s retractable roof is fabric. The two large panels separate at the 50-yard line and remain over each end zone when fully retracted.
The roof is operated from a computer and can be opened or closed in seven minutes, making it one of the best stadiums in the NFL due to its innovations.
2. Mercedes-Benz Stadium-Atlanta Falcons
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is situated in downtown Atlanta, Georgia and is the home field for the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer. The construction cost for the replacement of the Georgia Dome was roughly $1.6 billion.
Related: Predict game outcomes more accurately with our NFL Predictions."
Opened to the public in 2017, it did not take Mercedes-Benz Stadium long to establish itself as one of the most elite multi-purpose venues in the United States in addition to its role as one of the largest stadiums in the NFL in 2023. All of the events previously conducted at the Georgia Dome were moved to the stadium including the SEC Championship game and another significant event in the Peach Bowl.
The year after it was opened Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted the College Football National Championship Playoff and the Major League Soccer Cup. The following season the stadium hosted the Super Bowl and was supposed to host the Final Four until that event was canceled due to COVID-19. Like many of its colleagues on this list of the NFL’s largest stadiums in 2023 it will host numerous soccer matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has some extremely unique features the National Football League’s other best NFL stadiums in 2023 do not possess. The stadium’s retractable roof features eight triangular panels that are operated on rails and can remain open in light rain. The arena was also constructed with the larger team sizes of college athletics in mind.
Like many of the biggest NFL stadiums “The Benz” includes art both inside and outside the venue. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, however, features The Atlanta Falcon which stands in front of the stadium and at four stories high is the largest freestanding avian sculpture in the world.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium seats 71,000 and can be expanded to 75,000 for a significant event which is why it is one of the best NFL stadiums.
1. NFL’s biggest stadium in 2023 is U.S. Bank Stadium-Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately, the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome was razed to make way for U.S. Bank Stadium but the Minneapolis, Minnesota, venue has proven to be a boon for the state, for the National Football League and enjoys a position as the largest NFL stadium in 2023.
Home to the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings, U.S. Bank Stadium opened its doors in 2016 and immediately placed itself on the map not only within the National Football League but throughout the United States. The totally enclosed arena was the first constructed since Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, in 2002 when the trend was towards stadiums with retractable roofs. U.S. Bank Stadium possesses the largest translucent roof in the United States at 240,000 square feet.
With the capacity to seat 68,860 fans, which can be expanded to 73,000, U.S. Bank Stadium hosted the NFL’s Super Bowl in 2018 in addition to its first National Football League playoff game. The following year the facility hosted the men’s Final Four and was the site of men’s and women’s national and international soccer the first year it opened.
U.S. Bank Stadium also owns the distinction of being the first NFL Stadium to host a significant event in ESPN’s X Games in 2017 and the University of Minnesota plays early season basketball games at the facility.
The stadium also is the first stadium in the National Football League to win a bid for the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
U.S. Bank Stadium is not only the pride of the North Star State but tops the list of the biggest NFL stadiums in 2023.
For Further reading:
Cities that should have an NFL team
100 Best NFL Players of all Times
Our editorial content strives to be highly informative and educational to our audience, especially for visitors who are new or relatively new to analyzing and predicting sporting event results. All of our content is created by informed writers with backgrounds in their subject area and reviewed for omissions or mistakes.
Our editorial team is run by individuals with many years of experience in digital publishing, editorial, and content production. Our editorial content is always marked clearly in any instances where it may be sponsored by a third party, though it is still reviewed by our staff to ensure it remains consistent with our company mission.
