Top 10 NFL Stadiums
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by Behbigben15
I have out together a list of the top 10 best stadiums in the NFL (based on my opinion). I have based my list on looks, history, weather, atmosphere of fans, and a few other factors mixed in as well.
10. Fedex Field (Washington Redskins): Landover, Maryland
Fedex Field is "fan -friendly", due to it's large capacity of 91,704, which gives this stadium the title of "largest stadium in the NFL". Fedex Field opened August of 1997, and is formerly known as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium from '97-'99.
9. McAfee Coliseum (Oakland Raiders): Oakland, California
The Oakland Raiders share McAfee Coliseum with the Oakland Athletics Baseball team, and is formerly known as Network Associates Coliseum. Every team in the NFL fears playing in McAfee Coliseum, because of the "Black hole", which makes this place a hard place to play in, and makes the atmosphere great (weather is also very good).
8. University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona Cardinals): Glendale, Arizona
The NFL's newest stadium, opened on August 1, 2006, is an example of what today's technology can do. I love the stadium design, and it has, in my opinion, the coolest design. The facility's fully-retractable, natural-grass playing surface is the first to be built in the United States and was designed by Uni-Systems. The field (sized to accommodate World Cup Soccer as well as American football) is 234 feet wide by 403 feet-4 inches long, has a 2.2 acre playing surface and is contained in a moveable field tray that is like a gigantic cookie sheet.
7. Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots): Foxborough, Massachusetts
This stadium has a short history, opened on September 9th, 2002, but that doesn't stop this place from having a great atmosphere. Countless great weather games have been played on this field since it opened in '02, and all this place needs is a little age, and it would be just like Lambeau. Every year, I expect a game or two to be played like the "tuck-rule" game back in '01. This is a great stadium, that seats nearly 69,000 people (68,756 to be exact).
6. Invesco Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos): Denver, Colorado
Opened in '01, to replace just plain old "Mile High" Stadium, Invesco Field is another place with a short history, but, like Gillete, doesn't take away the feel of the place, especially if your in the "nosebleed sections", because you might ACTUALLY get a nose bleed. Invesco Field gives an almost unfair advantage to the home team, Denver Broncos, since their is thin air in Denver (Hence the name "Mile High"). Denver fans aren't affected, though, and their is usually a see of Navy blue, and Orange, unless, of course, they're playing the Steelers:)
5. Soldier Field (Chicago Bears): Chicago, Illinois
Soldier Field originally opened on October 9th, 1924, but was closed January 19th, 2002, and then reopened the following season on September 26th, 2003. Soldier Field, like Lambeau, has alot of history to it, and is another tough place to play due to cold, and VERY windy weather during the winter. The bad weather adds atmosphere to the stadium, and makes it a special place to visit.
4. Heinz Field (Pittsburgh Steelers): Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I give the three spot to Heinz Field mainly because if it's fan base, during home games all you can see is bright yellow "Terrible Towels" waving in the air, and it can get loud. I also like the stadium itself, and the weather can get bad, and give them a slight advantage over fair-weather teams (see Week 12, and 13 games).
3. Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), Kansas City, Missouri
Arrowhead is also known as "The Red Sea", and is a very hard place to play. It has it's own reputation of the loudest outdoor stadium. Kansas City can get pretty cold during the winter, and the Cheifs don't get beat at home very often. In fact, the Cheifs are 102-34 at home since 1990. Opposing teams call this place the toughest place to play, and the Cheifs have a 141 consecutive sell-out home games (16 full seasons), dating back to September 1st, 1991.
2. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers): Green Bay, Wisconsin
Lambeau Field was built in 1957, and it was named Lambeau Field in 1965 (originally named New City Stadium). Lambeau Field has alot of history to it, and the fans atmosphere is awesome. The "Lambeau Leap" was created by GB Strong Safety, LeRoy Butler in December of '93, and is now Lambeau Field's trademark. This stadium is one of the toughest to play in during the cold weather in the playoffs, and Brett Favre calls it "home". Lambeau Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL, therefore, is the 2nd best stadium on my list.
1. Qwest Field (Seattle Seahawks): Seattle, Washington
Also known as the Hawk's Nest, or Seahawks Stadium. I love the design of the stadium, and it looks pretty awesome. The atmopsphere is great as well, since it was built in 2002, this stadium earned the reputation as the loudest stadium in the NFL. Opponents have committed the most false start penalties in the NFL since 2005 (69). I would love to visit this stadium (preferably a Steelers vs Seahawks game). Now, if only the 'Hawks will get new uniforms:)
So, there you have it, the top 10 NFL stadiums of today.
