I'm now going to move over to sports architecture, and give homage to the most glorious homes of games. Similiar to the Colosseum of the ancient world, these stadiums bring the public together to cheer and be entertained. As the Romans cheered the gladiators today we cheer our sports teams and athletes as modern day champions. It is through major sports venues where a fanbase can be developed. They can share their loyalty and passion for their teams at the home stadium. Of course the greatest stadiums are often developed for the greatest teams. And each of these stadiums have seen it's fair share of excitement, glory, heartbreak, and sheer legendary performances.
I'm going to write about my top 4 favorite sports; football, soccer, baseball, and basketball, and also include a bonus post on the greatest Olympic stadiums (which incorporate the glorious track and field events). Here first in this post I will start with my favorite football stadiums. This game has become America's new past-time. Most major stadiums average at least over 60,000 passionate fans for regular attendance. I'm going to include only NFL and NCAA College football stadiums. These are stadiums of iconic magnitude, some classic and some modern architecture, yet all are behemoth football programs.
My Top Ten Favorite Football Stadiums
10. Ohio State Stadium
Location: Colombus, Ohio
Year Constructed: 1922
Capacity: 104,944
Surface: Field turf
Architect: Howard Dwight Smith
Nicknames: The Horseshoe, The Shoe, The House that Harley Built
Significance: It is a Midwestern gem home of one of the most successful college football programs in the nation. The Ohio State football program is among the most successful of football programs, and have won 8 national championships. Their home stadium is a true sight to behold, of which I myself was fortunate enough to work a game at years ago. It is shaped like a giant horseshoe and has one of the tallest flagpole's I've ever seen arising from the back of the field. The most exciting game at this stadium is their classic Big Ten rivalry against Michigan, which is often considered one of the greatest rivalries in sports. At an incredible capacity of over 104,000 it is the 4th largest stadium in the world and also one of the oldest.
9. Arrowhead Stadium
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Year Constructed: 1972
Capacity: 76,416
Surface: Astroturf
Architect: Kivett and Myers Populous
Significance: It holds the record as the loudest stadium in the NFL, often competing with the Seattle Seahawks. The franchise only has won 1 super bowl championship in 1969 however the fanbase is still very passionate. This stadium holds a special place for me, since it was the first stadium I worked at for Sportvision. I remember it was somewhat isolated from the city, yet still quite a site to see. It has a unique arch to it's structure and four spiral ramps at it's corners. Inside the stadium is quite hypnotizing with it's all red seats which surely add to the noisy atmosphere.
8. LSU Tiger Stadium
Location: Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Year Constructed: 1924
Capacity: 102,321
Surface: Grass
Architect: Wogan and Bernard Trahan
Nicknames: Death Valley
Significance: It is one of the most famous, classic college football stadiums in the south built back in the 1920s. It has been renovated many times to add more seats, which began at 12,000 in 1924 and is now over 102,000 and is the seventh largest stadium in the world. The football program has been very successful among many other successful southern college teams. They have won 3 national championships, yet have fallen short in years to their rivals Alabama. The LSU Tiger Stadium, known as Death Valley, has become an iconic southern football experience.
7. Century Link Field
Location: Seattle, WA
Year Constructed: 2002
Capacity: 69,000
Surface: Fieldturf
Architect: Ellerbe Becket, LMN Architects
Nicknames: The Clink
Significance: It has become one of the most distinctive buildings in the city of Seattle. It's structure is perhaps one of the most modern stadiums in the league, with a perfect view of the city skyline. In the past ten years, the Seattle Seahawks have emerged as a football contender thanks to their extremely noisy fanbase often referred to as the 12th man. In 2013 the team won their first ever Super Bowl, and made a 2nd consecutive trip to the championship in 2014 yet lost to the Patriots. The home field advantage at Century Link is often considered one of the hardest place for away teams to play. The stadium also serves home to the Seattle Sounders which bring the largest average attendance in the MLS.
6. Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum
Location: Los Angeles, California
Year Constructed: 1923
Capacity: 93,607
Surface: Grass
Architect: John and Donald Parkinson
Nicknames: The Grand Old Lady
Significance: Along with the Rose Bowl, it is one of the most iconic and classic stadiums in California. Built in 1923 in incorporates a classical style with pillars, an open bowl format, and an iconic torch. The stadium was commissioned as the home of USC Trojan football and a memorial for WWI vets. The stadium was expanded in 1932 as the main venue for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, and once again for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Along with that incredible history the stadium has overseen years of successful USC Trojan Football, that has won 11 national championships. The stadium has also now recently served as the temporary home for the Los Angeles Rams.
5. AT&T Stadium
Location: Arlington, Texas
Year Constructed: 2009
Capacity: 80,000 (maxed at 105,000)
Surface: Artificial turf
Architect: HKS, inc.
Nicknames: Jerry World
Significance: It is one of the largest stadiums in the NFL, a true modern indoor wonder. It is often referred to as Jerry World, in reference to the millionaire owner and General manager Jerry Jones. The stadium seats 80,000 yet can reach up to 105,000 for standing room and includes open area party passes within the stadium. It's most iconic feature however is it's massive indoor jumbo screen, which hangs over the field, spanning from the 20 to 20 yard lines. The stadium hosts many other indoor events, yet is the primary home of iconic Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, have gone on to win 5 Super Bowls and lay claim to their title as America's team. They have yet to win a championship since their new stadium was built, however this past season they've shown dominant progress.
4. Soldier Field
Location: Chicago, IL
Year Constructed: 1924
Capacity: 61,500
Surface: Grass
Architect: Holabird & Roche, Wood and Zapata Inc
Nicknames: Stadium in a Park
Significance: It is the oldest stadiums in the NFL, built back in the 1920s. It incorporates a classical architectural style with a beautiful view of Grant Park and Lake Michigan. It was first built as an all purpose stadium that honored military veterans. It wasn't until 1971 that the Chicago Bears moved from Wrigley Field to make Soldier Field their home stadium. This was in part due to the regulation that NFL stadiums seat over 50,000. In 1984 the Chicago Bears went on to win their first and only Superbowl. In early 2002 the stadium was renovated with a more modern design, yet still incorporated some of it's original classical pillars. There are many fans today who dislike the new design, yet it still remains one of the most iconic stadiums in football.
3. Rose Bowl Stadium
Location: Pasadena, California
Year Constructed: 1922
Capacity: 92,542
Surface: Grass
Architect: Myron Hunt
Significance: It is one of the oldest and most iconic stadiums in the country often used as a home of championships. It was built in 1922 to host the college football championship known as the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl is the oldest college bowl game, started in 1902, and has often been considered the grandest daddy of all college championships. However since recent years the game has been pushed back by the new BCS Championship structure. The Rose Bowl now generally serves as a semi final game or the classic match-up of the top Pac 12 team against the top Big Ten team. While the Rose Bowl Game is the stadium's claim to fame, it also serves as home to the UCLA Bruins, who won a national championship in 1954. The stadium has also hosted 5 super bowls, which is the 2nd most behind the New Orleans Superdome.
2. Michigan Stadium
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Year Constructed: 1927
Capacity: 107,000
Surface: Field turf
Architect: Bernard Green
Nicknames: The Big House
Significance: It is the biggest sports stadium in the nation, and the 2nd biggest stadium in the world behind North Korea's Rungrado stadium. I have been fortunate to work several games at Michigan University and can easily say it was the most incredible stadium of the 30-some I worked at. The design is quite simple actually. It as a giant bowl submerged in the ground along with a large scoreboard and press-boxes on each side. It is the sheer size that makes this stadium so incredible, which can only be experienced from within the house. The football program has garnered much success with 11 national titles. Along with Ohio State it is one of the most famous teams in the Midwest.
1. Lambeau Field
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Year Constructed: 1957
Capacity: 81,435
Surface: Grass
Architect: Sommerville Associates, Ellerbe Becket
Nicknames: The Frozen Tundra, Titletown USA, The Shrine of Pro Football
Significance: It is an American gem of professional sports and the Midwestern region of the country. Built in 1957, it is the 2nd oldest NFL stadium behind Soldier Field, yet the oldest to be in use, since the Bears did not move into Soldier Field until 1971. Upon it's construction the site has become an iconic home to one of the most diehard fanbases in sports. It is currently the 3rd largest stadium in the NFL at 81,000 while it's town of Green Bay only has a population of 104,000. The stadium has witnessed so many historic sports moments, such as the Vince Lombardi era, the Ice Bowl, Bart Starr, Brett Farve, Aaron Rodgers, and a notorious reputation for hard nosed gritty football. With it's 4 Super Bowl championships the stadium and the city have often been referred to as Titletown.
I'm going to write about my top 4 favorite sports; football, soccer, baseball, and basketball, and also include a bonus post on the greatest Olympic stadiums (which incorporate the glorious track and field events). Here first in this post I will start with my favorite football stadiums. This game has become America's new past-time. Most major stadiums average at least over 60,000 passionate fans for regular attendance. I'm going to include only NFL and NCAA College football stadiums. These are stadiums of iconic magnitude, some classic and some modern architecture, yet all are behemoth football programs.
My Top Ten Favorite Football Stadiums
10. Ohio State Stadium
Location: Colombus, Ohio
Year Constructed: 1922
Capacity: 104,944
Surface: Field turf
Architect: Howard Dwight Smith
Nicknames: The Horseshoe, The Shoe, The House that Harley Built
Significance: It is a Midwestern gem home of one of the most successful college football programs in the nation. The Ohio State football program is among the most successful of football programs, and have won 8 national championships. Their home stadium is a true sight to behold, of which I myself was fortunate enough to work a game at years ago. It is shaped like a giant horseshoe and has one of the tallest flagpole's I've ever seen arising from the back of the field. The most exciting game at this stadium is their classic Big Ten rivalry against Michigan, which is often considered one of the greatest rivalries in sports. At an incredible capacity of over 104,000 it is the 4th largest stadium in the world and also one of the oldest.
9. Arrowhead Stadium
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Year Constructed: 1972
Capacity: 76,416Surface: Astroturf
Architect: Kivett and Myers Populous
Significance: It holds the record as the loudest stadium in the NFL, often competing with the Seattle Seahawks. The franchise only has won 1 super bowl championship in 1969 however the fanbase is still very passionate. This stadium holds a special place for me, since it was the first stadium I worked at for Sportvision. I remember it was somewhat isolated from the city, yet still quite a site to see. It has a unique arch to it's structure and four spiral ramps at it's corners. Inside the stadium is quite hypnotizing with it's all red seats which surely add to the noisy atmosphere.
8. LSU Tiger Stadium
Location: Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Capacity: 102,321
Surface: Grass
Architect: Wogan and Bernard Trahan
Nicknames: Death Valley
Significance: It is one of the most famous, classic college football stadiums in the south built back in the 1920s. It has been renovated many times to add more seats, which began at 12,000 in 1924 and is now over 102,000 and is the seventh largest stadium in the world. The football program has been very successful among many other successful southern college teams. They have won 3 national championships, yet have fallen short in years to their rivals Alabama. The LSU Tiger Stadium, known as Death Valley, has become an iconic southern football experience.
7. Century Link Field
Location: Seattle, WA
Year Constructed: 2002
Capacity: 69,000Surface: Fieldturf
Architect: Ellerbe Becket, LMN Architects
Nicknames: The Clink
Significance: It has become one of the most distinctive buildings in the city of Seattle. It's structure is perhaps one of the most modern stadiums in the league, with a perfect view of the city skyline. In the past ten years, the Seattle Seahawks have emerged as a football contender thanks to their extremely noisy fanbase often referred to as the 12th man. In 2013 the team won their first ever Super Bowl, and made a 2nd consecutive trip to the championship in 2014 yet lost to the Patriots. The home field advantage at Century Link is often considered one of the hardest place for away teams to play. The stadium also serves home to the Seattle Sounders which bring the largest average attendance in the MLS.
6. Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum
Year Constructed: 1923
Capacity: 93,607
Surface: Grass
Architect: John and Donald Parkinson
Nicknames: The Grand Old Lady
Significance: Along with the Rose Bowl, it is one of the most iconic and classic stadiums in California. Built in 1923 in incorporates a classical style with pillars, an open bowl format, and an iconic torch. The stadium was commissioned as the home of USC Trojan football and a memorial for WWI vets. The stadium was expanded in 1932 as the main venue for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, and once again for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Along with that incredible history the stadium has overseen years of successful USC Trojan Football, that has won 11 national championships. The stadium has also now recently served as the temporary home for the Los Angeles Rams.
5. AT&T Stadium
Location: Arlington, Texas
Year Constructed: 2009
Capacity: 80,000 (maxed at 105,000)
Surface: Artificial turf
Architect: HKS, inc.
Nicknames: Jerry World
Significance: It is one of the largest stadiums in the NFL, a true modern indoor wonder. It is often referred to as Jerry World, in reference to the millionaire owner and General manager Jerry Jones. The stadium seats 80,000 yet can reach up to 105,000 for standing room and includes open area party passes within the stadium. It's most iconic feature however is it's massive indoor jumbo screen, which hangs over the field, spanning from the 20 to 20 yard lines. The stadium hosts many other indoor events, yet is the primary home of iconic Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, have gone on to win 5 Super Bowls and lay claim to their title as America's team. They have yet to win a championship since their new stadium was built, however this past season they've shown dominant progress.
4. Soldier Field
Location: Chicago, IL
Year Constructed: 1924
Capacity: 61,500
Surface: Grass
Architect: Holabird & Roche, Wood and Zapata Inc
Nicknames: Stadium in a Park
Significance: It is the oldest stadiums in the NFL, built back in the 1920s. It incorporates a classical architectural style with a beautiful view of Grant Park and Lake Michigan. It was first built as an all purpose stadium that honored military veterans. It wasn't until 1971 that the Chicago Bears moved from Wrigley Field to make Soldier Field their home stadium. This was in part due to the regulation that NFL stadiums seat over 50,000. In 1984 the Chicago Bears went on to win their first and only Superbowl. In early 2002 the stadium was renovated with a more modern design, yet still incorporated some of it's original classical pillars. There are many fans today who dislike the new design, yet it still remains one of the most iconic stadiums in football.
3. Rose Bowl Stadium
Location: Pasadena, California
Year Constructed: 1922Capacity: 92,542
Surface: Grass
Architect: Myron Hunt
Significance: It is one of the oldest and most iconic stadiums in the country often used as a home of championships. It was built in 1922 to host the college football championship known as the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl is the oldest college bowl game, started in 1902, and has often been considered the grandest daddy of all college championships. However since recent years the game has been pushed back by the new BCS Championship structure. The Rose Bowl now generally serves as a semi final game or the classic match-up of the top Pac 12 team against the top Big Ten team. While the Rose Bowl Game is the stadium's claim to fame, it also serves as home to the UCLA Bruins, who won a national championship in 1954. The stadium has also hosted 5 super bowls, which is the 2nd most behind the New Orleans Superdome.
2. Michigan Stadium
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Capacity: 107,000
Surface: Field turf
Architect: Bernard Green
Nicknames: The Big House
Significance: It is the biggest sports stadium in the nation, and the 2nd biggest stadium in the world behind North Korea's Rungrado stadium. I have been fortunate to work several games at Michigan University and can easily say it was the most incredible stadium of the 30-some I worked at. The design is quite simple actually. It as a giant bowl submerged in the ground along with a large scoreboard and press-boxes on each side. It is the sheer size that makes this stadium so incredible, which can only be experienced from within the house. The football program has garnered much success with 11 national titles. Along with Ohio State it is one of the most famous teams in the Midwest.
1. Lambeau Field
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Year Constructed: 1957Capacity: 81,435
Surface: Grass
Architect: Sommerville Associates, Ellerbe Becket
Nicknames: The Frozen Tundra, Titletown USA, The Shrine of Pro Football
Significance: It is an American gem of professional sports and the Midwestern region of the country. Built in 1957, it is the 2nd oldest NFL stadium behind Soldier Field, yet the oldest to be in use, since the Bears did not move into Soldier Field until 1971. Upon it's construction the site has become an iconic home to one of the most diehard fanbases in sports. It is currently the 3rd largest stadium in the NFL at 81,000 while it's town of Green Bay only has a population of 104,000. The stadium has witnessed so many historic sports moments, such as the Vince Lombardi era, the Ice Bowl, Bart Starr, Brett Farve, Aaron Rodgers, and a notorious reputation for hard nosed gritty football. With it's 4 Super Bowl championships the stadium and the city have often been referred to as Titletown.
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