Football is arguably one of the most popular sports in the world. Almost every country has big leagues, both at collegiate and professional levels. This global sport was even made more popular for its highly competitive nature.
Fans would go all out for this support on their favorite football clubs onsite or online. What’s more, the betting market in football is huge. It yields billions of dollars for large football leagues like the National Football League.
More than the betting volume, fanbase, and viewership ratings, football is also known for massive and marvelous stadiums that hold games for different leagues. These venues can accommodate hundreds of thousands of spectators. If you are fascinated by these venues, let’s explore each of these famous football stadiums around the world through this list!
1. SoFi Stadium
The SoFi Stadium is among the most popular venues for the National Football League. This indoor entertainment stadium is located in Inglewood, California. It can accommodate up to 100,240 attendees for large events, with a 70,240 average seating capacity.
For those who follow FanDuel NFL odds, you should know that the SoFi Stadium was the venue of the NFL Championships on February 13, 2022, and it was the first time for Los Angeles to host the game since the 1993 Super Bowl.
For the record, the 2021 Super Bowl was initially decided to be held at SoFi Stadium, but because of the delays in its opening, the hosting was transferred to James Stadium, Tampa Bay. Instead, the 2022 Super Bowl was held at SoFi Stadium.
The venue was also the first to host a conference championship game and the Super Bowl in the same year in 2022. The NFC title holder that year was the Rams, and they were hailed the second team to play the Super Bowl in their stadium.
The historic achievement echoed the greatness seen in a few NFL teams before. The Rams were an away team since the Bengals were designated the home team. Nonetheless, they made the stadium the second venue to host its tenant during their winning year.
2. Lucas Oil Stadium
The Lucas Oil Stadium was built in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its official tenant is the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Moreover, the venue has a seating capacity of 63,000 for football and can accommodate up to 70,000 for basketball. What’s more, the Lucas Oil Stadium has two exhibit halls, 12 meeting rooms, 139 suites, and two club lounges within its 1.8 million square feet facility.
This sports facility features seven locker rooms, 11 indoor truck docks, 11 passenger elevators, and 14 escalators. It is home to the Colts, who can play both indoors and outdoors, with the venue’s retractable roof and window.
3. Lambeau Field
The Lambeau Field is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is home to the Green Bay Packers. Initially, the venue was named the City Stadium from 1957 to 1964. It was on August 14, 1965, when it was renamed as Lambeau Field. The stadium has a total seating capacity of 81,441. Moreover, it has a record attendance of 79,704 on January 11, 2015.
Football games were often held in Lambeau Field during the cold Wisconsin season. The most remarkable match in cold weather was dubbed the Ice Bowl during the 1967 Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers were used to playing in the cold and muddy field conditions, making it a home-field advantage for them, eventually winning the Super Bowl in 1967.
The Lambeau Field hosted three NFL Championship games in 1967, 1965, and 1961. It has also hosted three NFC Championships during the 1996, 2007, and 2020 seasons.
4. US Bank Stadium
The US Bank Stadium was worth $1.061 billion. It was opened on July 22, 2016, to host baseball and football matches. The stadium was built on the site of the closed Humphrey Metrodome. The latest Super Bowl that the US Bank Stadium hosted was the Super Bowl LII.
It was awarded to the venue on May 20, 2014, beating competing bids of Indianapolis and New Orleans. The first playoff game hosted by the US Bank Stadium was a match between the Vikings and New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018.
5. Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Mercedes-Benz stands as a multi-purpose stadium that can accommodate up to 71,000 attendees. That is still expandable up to 75,000 for American football. It is home to the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. It boasts a total field size of 120 yards.
The record attendance for American football at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was during the 2022 Peach Bowl, with 79,330 attendees onsite. The 2019 Super Bowl was hosted by the stadium, and it was the first time for Atlanta to host the NFL Championships since Super Bowl 2000.
6. Allegiant Stadium
Located in Paradise, Nevada, the Allegiant Stadium serves as one of the biggest NFL venues in the United States. Its official tenant from the NFL is the Los Angeles Raiders, boasting a total capacity of 65,000. The domed stadium can also cater to up to 61,000 for soccer and 71,835 for football.
While it is one of the newest venues in this list, Allegiant Stadium is already expected to host the 2024 Super Bowl, which is among the world’s most-watched sports events. Notably, the NFL Super Bowl 2024, held at a different location, captivated audiences worldwide with its thrilling moments and unforgettable performances, setting the stage for the anticipation surrounding Allegiant Stadium’s upcoming role as the host for the 2024 edition.
Other significant sports events it has hosted are the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the 2021 Leagues Cup.
Besides being one of the biggest venues for football, the Allegiant Stadium is also known as the second most fancy stadium in the world, worth $1.9 billion, following So-Fi Stadium with a $5.5 billion price tag for construction costs.
Final Thoughts
For many American football enthusiasts, these stadiums have the best facilities that a fan could ever ask for. With the premium construction costs and large sitting capacities, these venues are indeed the best football paradise for fans who love to watch matches onsite. In the coming years, more and more of these venues will rise, making the global sport even greater!