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10 Biggest NFL Stadiums in 2023

biggest nfl stadiums

What are the biggest NFL stadiums? These buildings act as symbols of both the city they’re in and the teams that call them home.

Biggest NFL Stadiums

Stadiums serve as a fortress for teams and for one reason or another gives them a competitive advantage. We take a look at the 10 biggest NFL stadiums by capacity. 

10. M&T Bank Stadium (70,745)

The Baltimore Ravens play at M&T Bank stadium which opened in 1998 at a cost of $220 million and is owned by the Maryland Stadium Authority. With a capacity of 70,745 (down from 71,008 in 2020) it’s one of the biggest NFL stadiums.

Amenities are fantastic  but M&T Bank Stadium parking typically sells out before the season even begins. Access is still easy with parking stations close by, as well as places like Pickles Pub and Cross Street Market to have a bite and a drink which adds to the game day experience.

9. Highmark Stadium (71,608)

Home to the Buffalo Bills since 1973, Highmark Stadium is owned by Erie County and has a capacity of 71,608. Built at a cost of almost $150 million in today’s dollars, Highmark Stadium has always had artificial turf and isn’t sophisticated in design, a sign of its time.

There’s minimal creativity with Highmark’s bowl style seating and there’s no protection in the stadium from the Western New York winter. The New Highmark Stadium is planned to open in 2026, is expected to open with a 63,000-seat capacity, will cost around $1.4 billion and will remain open-air.

8. NRG Stadium (72,220)

Opening in 2002 which coincided with the Houston Texans first ever season, NRG Stadium was the first NFL stadium to have a retractable roof and the stadium set the standard of how NFL stadiums should be built, both architecturally and amenities wise.

In 2013 one of the largest video screen sets totalling 14,549 square feet in area was installed surpassing the size of the screens at AT&T Stadium. All year round temperatures between 70 to 74 degrees can be maintained with the roof closed. NRG Stadium is the eight biggest NFL stadium with a capacity of 72,220.

7. Caesars Superdome (73,208)

Built in 1975 the Caesars Superdome was repaired and fully refurbished in time for the 2006 NFL season following Hurricane Katrina. It’s the largest fixed dome structure in the world with a diameter of 680 feet and is one of the biggest NFL stadiums with a capacity of 73,208.

The Caesars Superdome has a distinct character with light bronze exterior panels as well as 26,000 LED lights, representing the vibrant and cultural heritage of New Orleans.

6. Bank of America Stadium (74,867)

The open-air Bank of America Stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers and it was specifically built for NFL football when it opened in 1996. A traditional and classic American bowl design, it’s one of the biggest NFL stadiums with a capacity of 74,867.

Owned by the City of Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium was a pioneer for Personal Seat Licences and helped pave the way for the Panthers to earn an NFL expansion team in 1995. The stadium also features a black obsidian granite facade, and a pair of 8-feet tall black panthers on 10-foot tall pedestals at each of the three entrances.

5. Empower Field at Mile High (76,125)

Empower Field at Mile High can hold 76,125 fans, is the fifth biggest NFL stadium and is known as being one of the hardest stadiums to play in. Home to the Denver Broncos and opening in 2001, the city’s elevation of 1 mile (5,280 feet) above sea level makes it notoriously difficult for away teams to compete in with the high altitude.

Broncos fans are also among the loudest in the NFL and most passionate. Since the 1970 season every single home game has been sold out, an NFL record for a single city. Around 80,000 fans are also on the waiting list for season tickets.

4. Arrowhead Stadium (76,416)

One of the best NFL stadiums, Arrowhead Stadium is located 8 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City and was built in 1972. Chiefs fans help create one of the most impressive game day atmospheres helping to create an intimidating environment, and the tailgating experience is arguably the best in the country.

Arrowhead Stadium can hold a capacity of 76,416 fans and is one of the biggest NFL stadiums. It set the Guinness World Record for loudest outdoor stadium recording a 142.2 decibels reading in 2014 in a game against the New England Patriots.

3. AT&T Stadium (80,000)

Located in Arlington and home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium opened in 2009 and is owned by the City of Arlington. The aura of the stadium is exactly what you’d for a building that cost $1.3 billion to build and is home to the most popular NFL team.

Architecturally AT&T Stadium is brilliant with its compound curvature and two steel-feature arches spanning 1,290 feet, with the arches symbolizing the power and strength of America’s Team.

The AT&T stadium capacity is 80,000 but has the ability to expand to 105,000, with a record of 105,121 fans set during the stadium’s first regular season game in 2009. It also has one of the largest HD screens in the world, and a retractable roof. 

2. Lambeau Field (81,441)

Lambeau Field was first built in 1957 and is a jewel of American football. Home of the Green Bay Packers it sits in Wisconsin, the smallest market to have a major league sports team. Despite this the Lambeau Field capacity is 81,441. Packers games have been sold out since 1960 and the stadium experience is often rated as the best in the NFL.

Nicknamed “The Frozen Tundra”, the field at Lambeau has in fact been heated since 1967 when electric coils were installed underneath the playing surface. They were replaced in 1997 with antifreeze piping. As of 2013 Lambeau Field is 66 years old and is the second biggest NFL stadium.

1. MetLife Stadium (82,500)

Shared by both the New York Giants and the New York Jets, MetLife Stadium has the biggest NFL stadium capacity with 82,500 seats. In the heart of metro New York the stadium has had its fair share of controversy. There is a clear lack of any architectural significance, a surprise for a stadium built in New York in 2010.

MetLife Stadium is somewhat of an East Rutherford monstrosity and is even dangerous with thin isles from the upper levels which takes some time to exit at the end of games. Those same upper levels are also far away from the field with poor sight lines. There’s also no roof so fans are completely exposed to the elements which is miserable during the cold and windy winter months.  

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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