NFL football stadium designs are certainly something to behold. The intricacies, uniqueness, and large capacities make them wonderful and interesting, leaving us wondering, who designed these structures? Come find out!

Here’s a list of every current and active NFL stadium and the architects behind their awesome designs.

 

 

1.      Allegiant Stadium (Home to the Las Vegas Raiders)

Location: Paradise, Nevada

Seats: 65,000 occupants

Opened: 2020

Architect of Record: David Manica, President and Owner of Manica Architecture; HNTB

Roof Type: Fixed

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Celebrated architect and designer David Manica lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch prior to kickoff of the Las Vegas Raiders game versus Kansas City game on 11/14/2021!

28 Tons of Structural Steel

44 Escalators

95K Sq. Ft. of Field Event Space

10 Event Spaces

105K Cubic Yards of Concrete 

425 Planted Trees

Want more interesting facts about Allegiant Stadium? Go here!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

 

2.      Arrowhead Stadium a/k/a GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Home to the Kansas City Chiefs)

 

The Arrowhead’s original design was created by Charles Deaton but implemented by Kivett and Myers, a local KCMO architectural firm.

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Seats: 76,416 occupants (largest crowd to see a game was 82,094 occupants on 11/5/72)

Opened: 1972; 2010 Renovation which added 500K sq. ft. of space for fan amenities and comfort and more

Architect of Record:  

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Populous was the architecture firm behind the 2010 renovation

Populous' 2010 renovation won the 2011 Capstone Award in Architectural Design (Kansas City Business Journal) and the 2011 Gold Award in Hospitality (IIDA Mid

America)

Largest sports facility (by capacity in the State of Missouri)

Thanks to the acoustical design, the phrase “Arrowhead Advantage” exists as your shots echo throughout all levels of the stadium

Hosted five Big 12 Conference football championship games

 Photo Credit: Arrowheadpride.com

 

3.      AT&T Stadium (Home to the Dallas Cowboys)

 

The structure of this renowned stadium was designed by Bryan Trubey, a former architect at HKS Architects; who is now with Overland Partners

Location: Arlington, Texas

Seats: 80K occupants

Opened: 2009

Architect of Record:  

Roof Type: Retractable

Football field surface: Hellas Matrix Turf

Fun Facts

Bryan Trubey began his career in Arlington, TX working for the architectural firm of Harry Allison

Can be reconfigured to hold around 100,000 occupants

Stadiums grosses at 3 million sq. ft.

Bryan Trubey named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Sports Facility Design, Architecture and Development by Sports Business Journal (2016)

The record attendance for an NFL regular season game was set in 2009 with a crowd of 105,121 occupants

Originally estimated at $650 million, the stadium's actual construction cost rose to $1.15 billion

Retractable roof was designed by structural engineering firm Walter P Moore

3,100 pieces of food service equipment in the stadium

On game day the stadium uses more electricity than the whole country of Liberia

Stadium is Home to the Cotton Bowl Classic and the Big 12 Championship Game

Photo Credit: Stadiumsofprofootball.com

 

4.      Bank Of America Stadium (Home to the Carolina Panthers)

 

Wagner Murray Architects designed the sprawling 75,000-seater stadium. Populous, formerly HOK Sports, also contributed to its design.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Seats: 75,523 occupants

Opened: 1996; 2007 Renovation; 2014 renovation; 186,200 sq. ft. concourse renovation in 2017 by Wagner Murray Architects

Architect of Record:  Wagner Murray Architects + Populous

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: FieldTurf

Fun Facts

151 luxury suites 

50K sq. ft. enclosed club level concourse

Height: 211'-0"

1.4 million sq. feet in size

Photo Credit: Panthers.com

 

5.      Caesars Superdome (Home to the New Orleans Saints)

 

Caesar’s awe-inspiring stadium was designed by Nathaniel C. Curtis, co-founder of Curtis and Davis Architects and Engineers.

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Seats: 73,208 occupants

Opened: 1975; 2003 renovation; 2006-09 renovation; 2008-2011 renovation

Architect of Record: Curtis and Davis Architects and Engineers

Roof Type: Fixed

Football field surface: FieldTurf Revolution 360

Fun Facts

Home to the Bayou Classic

2009-2010, the entire outer layer of the stadium, more than 400K square feet (of aluminum siding, was replaced with new aluminum panels and insulation,

returning the building to its original champagne bronze colored exterior. An innovative barrier system for drainage was also added, allowing the dome to resemble

its original facade

2011 Renovation, a $336 million enhancement was completed, which added Premium Club lounges under the Plaza Level seating, 15 additional suites to the 300 level and moved the press box to the Terrace. The Saints locker room was expanded to 10,000 square feet and an adjacent media interview area was added

17 elevators 

42 escalators

2 accessibility lifts

153 privately owned luxury suites

Largest fixed domed structure in the world

273'-0" Building Height

3.8 Acres or 166,180 sq. ft. of entertainment space

Cooled by 9K tons of air-conditioning

Won the 2012 “Excellence in Design” award in the ‘Architainment’ category from Live Design Magazine

Photo Credit: NewOrleansSaints.com

 

6.      Empower Field at Mile High (Home to the Denver Broncos)

This stadium opened in 2001 to replace the old Mile High stadium. It was designed by the following groups of architects; HNTB, Fentress Architects, and Bertram A. Burton and Associates

Location: Denver, Colorado

Seats: 76,125 occupants

Opened: 2001; 2012 Renovation

Architect of Record:  

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Kentucky Bluegrass

Fun Facts

Served as the venue for Barack Obama's acceptance of the Democratic nomination to the Presidency

In the upper two decks, fans create their own 'Mile High Thunder' (and warm themselves) by stamping their feet on the stadium's floors. The old Mile High

Stadium was built with bare metal, and the 'Thunder' reverberated readily. The new stadium was built with steel floors to preserve this unique acoustic feature

Stadium is 1.8 million sq. ft.

12K tons of structural steel

200K pounds of aluminum

130K bricks

1.6 million masonry blocks

1.5K plumbing fixtures

25K light fixtures

132 luxury suites

Every Denver Broncos' home game has sold out since its inception in 2001

Contains the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum

Hosts the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team

Photo Credit: Empowerfieldatmilehigh.com

 

7.      FedEx Field (Home to the Washington Football Team)

 

FedEx Field, the massive 82,000-seater NFL stadium, was opened in 1997 and designed by former HOK Sports, now known as Populous

Location: Landover, Maryland

Seats: 82K Occupants

Opened: 1997

Architect of Record: Populous (f/k/a HOK Sports)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Hosts the annual Prince George's Classic college football game

Does not compare favorably with RFK Stadium. Sports Illustrated's rankings of "NFL Fan Value Experience" rated FedExField 28th out of 31 NFL stadiums

The original architect calculated the lowest possible height at which the first row could be set in order to still see the field over the players standing on the sideline.

In 2005, eight years after the stadium opened, 1,488 premium "dream seats" in three rows were added in front of what was the first row when the stadium was

built. Because some of these seats are too low to see over the players on the sideline, occupants of these seats stand in order to see the game

Has 5 levels

243 Suites

Building Height: 15 Stories

The monuments of the District of Columbia can be seen from the upper concourse

Retractable seating platform at one end zone allows for greater seating capacities during concerts

Winner of the 42nd Annual Craftsmanship Award (Washington Building Congress) (1998)

Photo Credit: Nbcsports.com

 

8.      FirstEnergy Stadium (Home to the Cleveland Browns)

 

Three firms jointly designed this stadium; Populous, Robert P. Madison International, Inc., and Ralph Tyler Companies

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Seats: 67,895 occupants

Opened: 1999; 2014-15 Renovations

Architect of Record: Sport Venue Event Division of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) now Populous, Robert P. Madison International, Inc., and Ralph Tyler Companies

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Kentucky Bluegrass

Fun Facts

1.64 million square feet on a 31 acre site

143 Suites (14-16 occupants per suite on average)

Restrooms: 274 (1,019 toilets, 480 urinals, 711 sinks)

Concessions: 42 concessions stands

Elevators: 10 passenger & 2 freight

Escalators: 4 club & 4 public

Concrete and glass structure, using precast concrete and cast in-place for the upper concourse

Natural stone accents were used at the base of the stadium

Concrete superstructure = 60K cu. yds. of concrete

Adjacent to the Great Lakes Science Center and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Hosted the Ohio Classic

Photo Credit: ClevelandBrowns.com

 

9.      Ford Field (Home to the Detroit Lions)

This 65,000-seater domed stadium was designed by Rossetti Architects, Hamilton Anderson Associates, Inc., and Kaplan, McLaughlin, Diaz Architects.

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Seats: 65K occupants

Opened: 2002; 2017 Renovation

Architect/Engineer of Record: SmithGroup (Detroit, Mich.)

Architects: Kaplan, McLaughlin, Diaz Architects (San Francisco, Calif.), Hamilton Anderson Associates, Inc. (Detroit, Mich.), Rossetti Associates Architects

(Birmingham, Mich.)

Roof Type: Fixed

Football field surface: FieldTurf Classic HD

Fun Facts

Sight Study: Best sight lines of any football stadium in the United States, made available by a design that omits the traditional club and suite levels, thereby

lowering the upper level

1.85 million square feet with four levels of suites, a level of club seating, and a ground level designated for restaurants, concessions and retail

Area of field level: 97,000 sq. ft.

Construction schedule: 32 months

Entire worksite area: 25 acres (approximately)

Total square feet of building: 1,826,250 (includes lease space)

Type of foundation: Caissons

Type frame: Concrete and Steel

Type roof frame: Structural Steel

Deepest penetration into ground (caissons): 128 feet from main concourse level

Deepest penetration into ground (field level): 40’10” from main concourse level

Highest point above ground once completed: 128 feet from main concourse

Total cubic yards of concrete to be used: 58,560 cubic yards

Total material excavated for lower bowl and field level: 300,000 cubic yards

Gate entrances: 8

Main entrance doors: 32; 3’2”x8’7”

Escalators: 8

Elevators: 15

Staircases: 23

Accessible ramps: 5

Public restrooms (not including private suite facilities): 105

Men: 43

Women: 49

Family: 13

129 Suites

Concession stands: 50 permanent, 75 portable

Converted a former Hudson's warehouse, which was constructed in the 1920s into office (business occupancy classification) space

Large amount of natural light to reach the field, thanks to immense skylights and large glass windows at the open corners

Sun Study: Ford Field is one of the few venues in the NFL that has end zones in the east and the west. There is no NFL rule for field construction in roofed venues

regarding sunlight distracting players on the field.[19] The east–west end zone design accommodated the Hudson warehouse location. The natural light is not a

distraction to the players in a day game, because the light only reaches as far as the sidelines, leaving the field still properly lit with the combination of artificial

stadium lighting and sunlight

Hosts the MHSAA football state championship

Hosts the MCBA finals 

Photo Credit: FreeP.com

 

10.  Gillette Stadium (Home to the New England Patriots)

Gillette Stadium is another superb design from sports architecture firm, HOK Sport (now Populous). The design-build efforts were completed in 2002

Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts

Seats: 65,878 occupants

Opened: 2002; 2007 Renovation; 2015 Renovation; 2017 Renovation

Architect of Record: HOK Sport (now Populous)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: FieldTurf CORE

Fun Facts

Populous went through 200 designs before coming up with one that Kraft liked

The design makes use of the naturally-occurring granite outcroppings, letting them define the west concourse and the playing field level. The result is a unique

‘split-level’ stadium. The outcroppings also form the cornerstone of the dramatic north end zone festival plaza

Stadium Footprint: 17.3 acres

Stadium Area: 1.9 million square feet

The Height of Design: The stadium’s signature lighthouse in the north end zone rises 10 stories above the playing field, but is dwarfed by the height of the

stadium itself, which is 16 stories tall.

Sight Study: Every single seat in Gillette Stadium is focused exactly toward midfield to provide optimum sight lines.

Width of Concourses: Up to 70 feet

Worth the Weight: Approximately 6,300 pieces of blue steel form the structure of Gillette Stadium, weighing in at 16,000 tons.

Concrete Example: The foundation of Gillette Stadium consists of 17,500 cubic yards of concrete, enough to build a sidewalk from here to Boston… on both sides

of the street.

Has a stylized lighthouse and bridge that greets fans entering the stadium at the Enel Plaza

88 luxury suites that are among the largest in the NFL, ranging from 800 to 2,700 square feet

Multiple communal spaces where fans can gather to socialize before, during and after games

Unobstructed views from the entire length of each of its wide concourses ensuring a great view of the field from practically anywhere inside the turnstiles

Gillette Stadium ranks first among all NFL venues in stadium food safety with a 0% critical violations. The Gillette Stadium food service, instead of being

outsourced like most NFL teams, is run in-house and is led by the Patriots executive director of foods and beverage David Wheeler

Home to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS)

Have sold out every home game since moving to the stadium—preseason, regular season, and playoffs. This streak dates back to the 1994 season at Foxboro

Stadium

Photo Credit: Patspulpit.com

 

11.  Hard Rock Stadium (Home to the Miami Dolphins)

Populous/HOK Sports designed Hard Rock Stadium, and George A. Fuller Company managed the project.

Location: Miami Gardens, Florida

Seats: 65,326 occupants

Opened: 1987; 2006 Renovation; 2015-16 Renovation

Architect of Record: Populous (f/k/a HOK Sports)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Pioneered the revolutionary concept of "club seating" in NFL stadiums

Utilized a fast-track method of project delivery

Winner of the 1999 Night Beautiful Award (Florida Power & Light)

Winner of the 1998 Facility of Merit (Athletic Business Magazine)

Winner of the 1991 Bronze Award (IAKS)

Host to the Miami Hurricanes, Orange Bowl, Miami Open Tennis tournament, and Formula 1 race 

1st multipurpose stadium ever built in the United States that was entirely privately financed

Has Wynwood-style street art murals every time you turn a corner in the concourse; Billed as the “world’s largest indoor street art gallery,” the program features a

rotating collection of 20 pieces from worldwide artists, including CRASH and Jen Stark

Has the only organic concession stand in the NFL

Canopy mostly protects against rain, whose shade has registered as much as 31 degrees cooler than on-field temperatures in the sun

Photo Credit: Footballstadiumdigest.com

 

12.  Heinz Field (Home to the Pittsburgh Steelers)

 

Like many other stadiums, this was also designed by a group of architects from HOK Sports (now Populous) consisting of Dennis Wellner, Ben Barnert, Jim Chibnall, Jon Knight, and Ben Stindt.

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Seats: 68,400 occupants

Opened: 2001; 2015 Renovation

Architect of Record: HOK Sports (now Populous); HOK Sport's project manager for the stadium was Melinda Lehman

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Kentucky Bluegrass

Fun Facts

Inspired by elements integral to Pittsburgh and its people; Two towers frame the stadium, whose stone-like masonry is inspired by the stone and steel buildings

that once defined the city’s skyline

The open south end of the stadium creates a connection between the stadium and downtown, making the city part of the game day experience

Design uses steel structurally and externally

Sight Lines: 60 feet from sideline to first row and 25 feet from end zone to first row

Concrete: 48K cubic yards.

Steel: 12K tons

Augercast Piles: 10,442 lineal feet

Paint: 30K gallons

Glass: 50K square feet

Doors: 1.1K

Miles of Railings: 7

Pipes Under the Field: 1.85 miles

Building Square Footage: 1.49 million sq. ft. (approx.)

Escalators: 5

Elevators: 7 Passenger and 2 Freight

Pedestrian Ramps: 4

High School Murals: Throughout Heinz Field, there are 60 murals from area high schools that have won a WPIAL or City League Football Championship.

129 Executive Suites

Photo Credit: VisitPittsburgh.com

 

13.  Highmark Stadium (Home to the Buffalo Bills)

This NFL football stadium was designed by HNTB and renovated by Populous in 2013.

Location: Orchard Park, New York

Seats: 71,608 occupants

Opened: 1973; 1984 Renovation; 2015 Renovation by HNTB + Populous

Architect of Record: George Thomas Heery

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: A-Turf Titan 50

Fun Facts

The stadium was built on the site of an ancient Wenro village (Iroquoian) 

Buffalo, by virtue of its position downwind of Lake Erie, is one of the nation's windiest cities, and as a result, Highmark Stadium is difficult for kickers, with swirling

winds that change direction rapidly. This is exacerbated by the stadium's design. The field is 50 feet (15 m) below ground level, while the top of the upper deck

stands only 60 feet (18 m) above ground. The open end lies parallel to the direction of the prevailing winds, so when the winds come in, they immediately drop

down into the bowl, causing the stadium's signature wind patterns

Photo Credit: Thebuffalofanatics.com

 

14.  Lambeau Field (Home to the Green Bay Packers)

Two well-known architectural firms designed Lambeau Field. First by Somerville Associates with multiple renovations and also by Ellerbe Becket in 2003 with their renovations.

Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Seats:  81,441 occupants

Opened: 1957; 1970 & 2000 Renovation by Somerville Associates; 2003 Renovation by Ellerbe Becket now AECOM and Sommerville Associates

Architect of Record: Somerville Associates (original architect)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Desso GrassMaster

Fun Facts

1st modern stadium built specifically for an NFL franchise

Site Selection: Chose a sloping site that would facilitate the construction of a recessed elliptical bowl

The Packers have sold out every game since 1960, and at least 115,000 names are on the waiting list (with a reported average wait time of 30 years)

Has a five-story “Titletown” atrium, located on the stadium’s east side, that hosts shops, restaurants, and the Packer Hall of Fame for year-round use of the facility

The longest continuously occupied stadium in the league

Photo Credit: Wearegreenbay.com

 

15.  Levi’s Stadium (Home to the San Francisco 49ers)

Opened in 2014, the NFL football stadium was designed by five architects; Scott Capstack, Lanson Nichols, Tim Cahill, Tambra Thorson, Fernando Vazquez, Wesley Crosby. HNTB is the architectural firm.

Location: Santa Clara, California

Seats: 68.5K occupants can expand to 72K occupants (has expanded to as much as 83K)

Opened: 2014; 2016 Renovation

Architect of Record: HNTB 

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass/Perennial Ryegrass mixture (The stadium has had repeated problems with the grass surface)

Fun Facts

The stadium was delivered under a first-of-its-kind hybrid design-build model, which thrives on intense owner-project team collaboration. The heightened

collaboration accelerated an aggressive schedule, making Levi’s Stadium the NFL’s fastest-constructed stadium

LEED: 1st new-construction NFL stadium to achieve LEED® Gold certification; Has a green roof and solar panels

In July 2016, Levi's Stadium converted 6,500 square feet of the green roof to an organically maintained rooftop farm

The stadium has created an in stadium app designed specifically for home football games for the 49ers to provide a better fan experience for fans and

guests; when having the app within the stadium on game and event days one has many options including in-seat delivery, live streaming, navigation and much

more

9,000 club seats

9 club spaces

176 luxury suites

Photo Credit: Sfchronicle.com

 

16.  Lincoln Financial Field (Home to the Philadelphia Eagles)

Lincoln Financial Field of Philadelphia, was designed by Dan Meis and Ron Turner of NBBJ

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Seats: 68,385 occupants

Opened: 2003

Architect of Record: NBBJ

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Desso GrassMaster

Fun Facts

Design incorporates three open-corner plazas with views into and out from the field; an entertainment building (the Headhouse) with sports bar, team store and

hall of fame; and a signature tower and “Eagles’ Nest” balcony with views of the field and downtown Philadelphia

Designed to allow for college football, concert events and Major League Soccer, with FIFA requirements accommodated without compromising the pure football

configuration

Seats Along Sidelines: 66%

Wheelchair Accessible Seats: 685

Width of Concourses: Range from 60 – 90 ft.

Stadium Footprint: 790′ x 825′ – 15 acres

Men’s Restroom Facilities: 1 for every 58

173 suites

11,185 club seats

Photo Credit: Nbbj.com

 

17.  Lucas Oil Stadium (Home to the Indianapolis Colts)

The 67,000-seater pride of Indianapolis was "was designed by HKS of Dallas, Texas, with significant assistance from local design firms such as A2S04 and Browning

Day Mullins Dierdorf of Indianapolis and other Indiana design and engineering consultants."

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Seats: 67K occupants

Opened: 2008

Architect of Record: HKS Architects

Roof Type: Retractable

Football field surface: Shaw Sports Momentum Pro

Happy Client Testimonial: "We needed our design team to think outside the box in designing a multi-purpose facility for Indianapolis. HKS stepped up to the challenge from the start and has created a state-of-the-art venue that will benefit our fans, the NFL and the state of Indiana for decades to come." - Pete Ward (Senior Executive Vice President, Indianapolis Colts)

Fun Facts

HKS designers were challenged to design a multipurpose event facility filled with modern-day amenities and capabilities while maintaining the timeless, rustic look

and feel of the Midwestern state the stadium calls home

Large retractable NorthEast window on one end, thus allowing the Colts and the Eleven to play both indoors and outdoors 

The retractable NorthEast window offers a view of downtown Indianapolis during games, concerts and other events due to the stadium's angled position on the city block

Has a unique 25-foot, clear-of-structure exhibit hall expansion hall on the north end of the stadium with removable/retractable seats allowing the stadium floor to

become another 145,000 square-foot exhibit hall to compliment the convention center complex complete with convention floor boxes at 60 foot centers each way

for utility services

Field is 93,900 square feet and sits 25’ below Street Level, 120 yds x 53.5 yds.

Lucas Oils Stadium design incorporates many elements unique to Indiana and its history as a sports powerhouse. The brick, steel and glass structure reflect the

traditional forms and historical feel of the state’s venerable collegiate and high school basketball arenas and collegiate football stadiums

The stadium's retractable roof can open or close in 9 to 11 minutes. It is composed of two panels that each weigh 2.5 million pounds; The home team determines

if the roof is to be opened or closed 90 minutes before kickoff

Covers approximately 1.8 million square feet

An underground walkway directly connects the stadium to the Indiana Convention Center

183,000 square feet of exhibit space

Sits on 13 acres

146 suites

7,000 club seats

7 locker rooms

11 indoor truck docks

14 escalators

11 passenger elevators

Costs over $40k to turn on the air conditioning for an event

Named the National Football League’s best host multiple times

2009 ACEC, Grand Award for Excellence in Engineering

2009 Sports Business Journal / Sports Business Daily, Sports Facility of the Year

2008 Midwest Construction, Overall Project of the Year

Hosts the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships

Exterior façade is comprised of 980,000 bricks

Photo Credit: HKSinc.com

 

18.  Lumen Field (Home to the Seattle Seahawks)

This stadium owes its unique, extensive design to Ellerbe Becket, in association with LMN [Loschky Marquardt & Nesholm] Architects

Location: Seattle, Washington

Seats: 69K occupants

Opened: 2002; 2011-2017 Renovation

Architect of Record: Ellerbe Becket now AECOM

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: FieldTurf Revolution 360

Fun Facts

Accessibility: 1,400 seats for fans with disabilities

Sustainability: 97% of the concrete from the Kingdome (the old Seattle Seahawks stadium) was processed and recycled (35% built into Lumen Field)

Roofing covers 70% of the seating area

CenturyLink Field meets NFL and FIFA field size and sight line requirements

Includes nearly $2 million worth of art

Received SAFETY Act Designation and Certification, the highest level of accreditation awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Owned by the public and was funded by a private-public partnership

127 suites on three different levels – Suite, Club and Red Zone

12 elevators

63 restrooms 

100% of urinals are retrofitted with low-flow fixtures, saving more 1.3 million gallons of water every year

50 concession stands and 47 beer concessions

2K car garage

14 electric vehicle chargers – 12 in north lot and two in the garage

Events hosted in the Lumen Field Event Center have generated more than $5M for the Common School Fund

Was, at one point in time, in the Guinness World Records for being the loudest stadium in the world (136.6 decibels in 2013, followed by a measurement of 137.6 decibels in 2014)

Photo Credit: Fieldgulls.com

 

19.  M&T Bank Stadium (Home to the Baltimore Ravens)

M&T Bank stadium ranks among the largest NFL football stadiums with its 71K plus seater capacity. It was designed by Jeff Spear, an architect at Populous.

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Seats: 71,008 occupants

Opened: 1998; 2013 Renovation; 2017 Renovation

Architect of Record: HOK Sports (now Populous)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Open

Fun Facts

Stadium site was previously the site of the Wm. Knabe & Co. piano factory, which closed during The Great Depression. A sidewalk keyboard mosaic on the

southwest corner of the stadium honors the company's legacy

Building Height: 185'-0"

Each of the 128 suites at M&T Bank Stadium hold between 20-24 people and features three televisions, a private restroom, VIP parking and personal waitstaff

service

Extra-wide concourses (44-64 ft.) allow easier fan movement

Learn about the Exterior Coating System by Tnemec

44 concession stands in the upper, lower and club levels with delicious game day fare, including some of Baltimore's signature favorites, such as crab cakes

7 public elevators, numerous ramps and two escalators (to club level) assist the fan traffic

Front row seating in the lower level is six feet above the playing field, high enough to eliminate any issue with obstructed views. In addition, the front row is only a

short distance of 50 feet from the playing field sidelines and 20 feet from the back of the end zones

Earned a LEED-certified "Gold" designation from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) making it the first existing outdoor professional sports facility in the United States to receive USGBC's Gold rating

• 43% water reduction with the installation of over 400 waterless urinals
• 27% above the national average in energy efficiency
• Offset 123,070 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions
• Electricity at the stadium has been reduced from 15,952,984 kilowatt hours in 2005 to 10,881,579 in 2012, a savings of 5,071,405 kilowatt hours. (That savings can heat about 440 homes for a year.)
• 71% of regularly occupied spaces have access to outdoor views
• 50% energy consumption reduction with a change to LED sports lights
• The stadium recycles 31% of its regular waste and is working to increase this percentage
• The stadium saves over 3 million gallons of water per year with waterless urinals and water-efficient restroom fixtures throughout the building
• All purchases for M&T Bank Stadium follow the Sustainable Purchasing Policy to include recycled, renewable and Energy Star-labeled products for the building
• The stadium implements a "Green Cleaning" program that improves air quality and reduces waste with green cleaning products and materials
• Both the Ravens and Maryland Stadium Authority encourage the use of public and alternative transportation to stadium events. 10% of Ravens fans use the MTA Light Rail service to travel to and from games. Another 2% use buses through the "Ravens Ride" program
• 38% of M&T Bank Stadium staff use alternative transportation to work, contributing to the stadium's carbon footprint reduction of 123,070 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year
• The stadium's efficient irrigation system and adaptive vegetation reduces 30% of its potable water for outside irrigation.
  Environmentally friendly operations and maintenance programs are used in all pest, landscape and hardscape management programs for the stadium

Won the Craftsmanship Award (Building Congress and Exchange of Baltimore) 1998 

Photo Credit: Ravenswire.usatoday.com

 

20.  Mercedes Benz Stadium, ‘The Benz’ (Home to the Atlanta Falcons)

Atlanta, Georgia’s finest NFL football stadium, The Benz, was designed by collaborating architects. They are; TVSdesign, HOK, Goode Van Slyke Architecture (GVSA), and Stanley Beaman & Sears.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Seats: 71K occupants, can expand to 75K occupants

Opened: 2017

Architect of Record: HOK

Roof Type: Retractable

Football field surface: FieldTurf Revolution 

Fun Facts

1st professional sports stadium in North America to be awarded LEED Platinum Certification from the United States Green Building Council

The facade, which follows the roof’s angular form, consists of alternating insulated metal and ETFE panels inspired by the shape of a falcon’s wing. On the

stadium’s west side, the transparency creates a 16-story window that floods the space with daylight and offers panoramic views of Atlanta’s skyline

Architectural Digest Reviews Mercedes-Benz Stadium, “One of the Most Beautifully Designed Stadiums on the Planet”

21K Parking Spaces

Building Height: 315'-0"

Storey Count: 30 storeys

Total Stadium Sq. Ft.: 2 Million

Total Concrete: 150K Cu. Yds.

Total Structural Steel: 27K Tons

Roof Size: 14.5 Acres

Club Seats: 7.6K

Suites: 100 Suites

2019, became one of the first major professional sports venues in the United States to only accept "cashless" payment methods for transactions at concessions

inside the stadium, such as credit or debit cards, and mobile payments

24 Bars/Restaurants

25 Escalators

20 Elevators

As of 2017 largest scoreboard at 63.8K Sq. Ft.

The eight-piece operable roof was inspired by the oculus in the ancient Roman Pantheon

Falcon sculpture is the largest free-standing bird sculpture in the world

200 pieces of artwork from 55 artists are displayed throughout the stadium

The 360-degree halo board is the largest video board of its kind in the world

The roof consists of eight petals that weigh 500 tons each and can open and close in eight minutes

Photo Credit: GVSA.com

 

21.  Metlife Stadium (Home to the New York Giants and New York Jets)

The design for this stadium is a shared success bring together a collection of great minds in Design partners Bruce Mau, the Rockwell Group and architect-of-record, EwingCole and also 360 Architects (acquired by HOK in 2015) as the design architect

Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey

Seats: 82.5K occupants

Opened: 2010; 2012 Renovation

Architect of Record: Ewing Cole

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: UBU Sports Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf

Fun Facts

1 of 2 NFL stadiums shared by two clubs; Constructed with a neutral backdrop, allowing the Stadium to transform into a home field for the home team, be it

college or professional.  Everything in the building was designed with this transformation in mind.  From the first removable endzones, to the flagpole banners and

signs, all team-specific elements are switched out on a game by game basis to reflect the respective home team.  Each week during the NFL season, the Stadium’s

exterior uplighting and flagship team merchandise store are also transformed from Jets Green to Giants Blue and back again, bathing the building in hues of the

upcoming home team

Stadium can easily be reconfigured for the Giants or Jets within a matter of hours

2.1 million square foot facility

The architects were tasked with designing a neutral stadium that would still embody the distinct personalities of both franchises. The Giants favored a traditional

look of exposed steel framework and rusticated stone while the Jets wanted a sleek and modern look highlighted by metal and glass. With those features in mind

the designers used the column/tower dynamic seen in many of Manhattan's skyscrapers as inspiration for the stadium's design

Suites:  200+ on four separate levels; 16-24 seats per suite; Suite Designer: David Rockwell Group

Ranked the #1 Highest Grossing Stadium in the world for non-NFL events in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 by Billboard Magazine, #1 in the U.S. in 2011

In 2011 MetLife Stadium was ranked No. 1 for safety by Security magazine’s “Security 500” in the Arenas/Stadiums/Leagues/Entertainment division

200,000 sf of year-round retail and dining space including a hall of fame and team store

Parking: Approximately 28K spaces

Seating bowl is also raked in a way that eliminates overhangs from the upper decks that would impede views and allows fans to see the full arc of a 90-foot (30 yd) punt

Installation of a "Solar Ring" on the upper rim of the stadium, which consists of 1,350 building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar panels assembled into 47

individual frames; The panels generate about 350 KW, nearly 25 times the amount of electricity that's actually needed to power the LED display system. The excess

power generated can go into the general stadium use or back to the grid

Named the "Greenest Stadium" in the NFL by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2009)

Named "Venue of the Year" by the Stadium Business Summit (2017) The award is awarded to the world's best stadium, arena or sports venue, that deserves

recognition for an outstanding performance over a 12-month period

Photo Credit: Ewingcole.com

 

22.  Nissan Stadium (Home to the Tennessee Titans)

Tennessee’s Nissan stadium was jointly designed by Populous, McKissack & McKissack, and Moody Nolan.

Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Seats: 69,143 occupants

Opened: 1999; 2012 Renovation; 2015 Renovation

Architect of Record: HOK Sport (now Populous)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Features open end zones, maximizing seating on the sidelines and allowing views into and through the seating bowl

The stadium’s riverfront home boasts a rich industrial history, with Trinity Marine cranes serving as inspiration for the eight light racks crowning the upper seating

deck. The plaza areas allow temporary seating for high-profile events such as the Super Bowl, Tennessee State University games and concerts

Home to the "Music City Miracle"

Photo Credit: Nissanstadium.com

 

23.  NRG Stadium (Home to the Houston Texans)

The stadium was designed by the architectural firms of Hermes Reed Architects and Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam who were teamed to create the Houston

Stadium Consultants (HSC). The architects of Populous (then HOK Sport) and the HSC worked together with engineers from Walter P Moore and Uni-Systems to

design the stadium utilizing the principles of kinetic architecture i.e. concept through which buildings are designed to allow parts of the structure to move, without reducing overall structural integrity

Location: Houston, Texas

Seats: 72,220 occupants

Opened: 2002

Architect of Record: Populous

Roof Type: Retractable

Football field surface: Hellas Matrix Turf

Fun Facts

Only rodeo and NFL indoor/outdoor retractable roof stadium that can be configured to utilize a 125,000 square foot space for general sessions, catered functions,

exhibits, concerts, etc..

196 suites 

Retractable Roof opening time is 7 minutes

Total square footage: 1.9 million sq.ft.

Playing Field: 97,000 sq. ft. playing surface

1st NFL facility to have a retractable roof

Facade is designed to be as transparent as possible, with large glass curtain walls allowing sunlight into the building

Design also implemented a grass porous pavement, providing an optimum playing surface. This palletized material is ideal for football and soccer while allowing

flexibility for rodeos and other events

Sliding roof panels are made of steel-hinged frames wrapped in translucent fabric that allows in natural daylight

Photo Credits: Nrgpark.com

 

24.  Paul Brown Stadium (Home to the Cincinnati Bengals)

Dan Meis of NBBJ is the architect for this Ohio-based stadium. Paul Brown Stadium is the first NFL football stadium to win an AIA design award; “Paul Brown is

more terrific than I could have imagined. We are delighted with it. What a start to remaking Cincinnati's riverfront.” - Michael Brown, Owner, Cincinnati Bengals

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Seats: 65,515 occupants

Opened: 2000

Architect of Record: NBBJ

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: UBU Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf

Fun Facts

Design Drawings: Over 1,700 drawings produced by the architects and engineers. Pasted together these would cover almost a half acre

Stadium covers approximately 22 acres

1st NFL facility to win an AIA design award

Only football stadium to make a list of "America's favorite 150 buildings and structures", according to a Harris Interactive survey

Building Height: 157'-0"

1,700,000 SF in size

70% of seating at Paul Brown Stadium curves toward the 50-yard line, resulting in superior sightlines for fans

Each of the 114 suites features retractable glass windows, allowing fans the option to watch in climate-controlled comfort or to bring in the outdoor experience

Inspired by a strategy to reduce end-zone seating, Paul Brown Stadium opens on both ends and allows spectators to interact with the city, taking in the game and

the sights along the riverfront. By “breaking up the seating bowl,” the stadium eliminates undesirable corner seats, a standard drawback of traditional stadiums,

and ensures that visitors experience an intimacy with the field

114 suites, 7,600 club seats, 56 concession stands and 8 stores

Restroom Facilities: More than 1.2K fixtures, with separate individual family areas

Photo Credit: Cincinnatistadium.net

 

25.  Raymond James Stadium (Home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

This 65,000-seater stadium was designed by Wagner Murray Architects and Populous (then HOK Sports).

Location: Tampa, Florida

Seats: 65,890 occupants

Opened: 1998; 2015-18 Renovation

Architect of Record: HOK Sports (now Populous)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

After a nearly two-year legal battle, the Tampa Sports Authority came to a settlement with popular sports-seating and telescopic platform/bleacher company

Hussey Seating of North Berwick, Maine. Following the stadium's opening in 1998, roughly 50,000 Hussey-manufactured seats at Raymond James Stadium began

to fade from their original color – a bright, vibrant shade of red – to a shade of washed-out pink. Spotting this obvious defect, the Buccaneers organization pleaded

to the TSA to sue the seating manufacturing company for the cost to replace the affected chairs in 2003. Initially, in May 2004, after testing samples of the seats,

Hussey Seating did not find any cause for the fading, and thus, found no reason to replace the seats at the company's cost under the current 10–year warranty.

After the TSA cited a portion of the warranty which did, in fact, state that Hussey would replace seats if any fading were to occur, Hussey president Tim Hussey

admitted an error in the research and eventually would come to a $1.5 million agreement with the TSA to replace the problem seats. Reportedly, the seat-fading

occurred due to a manufacturing error by Hussey, as a UV inhibitor – a sunscreen-like component for the plastic – was forgotten in the mixture used to create the

seats. All of the problem seats were replaced by new, non–pink seats in the spring of 2006

One of the most recognizable features of the stadium is a 103-foot (31 m), 43-ton steel-and-concrete replica pirate ship in the north end zone, making it stand out

from other NFL stadiums

Photo Credit: VisitTampaBay.com

 

26.  SoFi Stadium (Home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers)

HKS, Inc., a long-time architecture firm, designed SoFi stadium.

Location: Inglewood, California

Seats: 70K occupants

Opened: 2020

Architect of Record: HKS, Inc.

Roof Type: Fixed

Football field surface: Hellas Matrix Turf

Fun Facts

Los Angeles Rams Owner and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke challenged HKS to design an iconic civic gesture and revolutionary stadium destination and experience

worthy of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world

SoFi Stadium’s architecture is informed by extensive research into Southern California’s industry, architecture, lifestyle, climate, geography, and landscape,

combining to create an authentic Southern California expression and experience. The stadium’s translucent roof, seating bowl, concourses and landscape were

sculpted and designed to create the feel of an outdoor venue while providing the flexibility of a traditional domed stadium

The FAA’s height restrictions, one of the project’s initial design challenges, became one of the most prominent features within the overall project: the seating bowl

sits 100-feet below the existing grade – about two to three times the depth of other similar multiuse venues. To create a memorable procession experience for

patrons navigating their way down to their seats and concourses, HKS demurred from the typical series of elevators, escalators, stairs and ramps, and created an

indoor/outdoor meandering series of paths that guide fans through visually rich landscaped environments replete with amenities along the way

260 luxury suites; 13,000 premium seats

2.5-acre covered outdoor plaza

Lake Park (outside park and event lawn)

Host to the Super Bowl LVI, the College Football Playoff National Championship, and WrestleMania 39

Home of the LA Bowl

Expandable up to 100,000 seats, measuring 3-million square feet

Host to the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics being held in Los Angeles

Low profile building, sunk 90-feet below ground and only 150 feet above ground

Iconic, curved roof made of transparent ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) that will cover not only the entire playing field and seating bowl, but also the adjacent Champions Plaza and performance venue

SoFi Stadium was named "Stadium of the Year" in StadiumDB's Jury Award

SoFi Stadium was awarded "Outstanding Architectural Engineering Project" of 2021 by the American Society of Civil Engineers

The “Excellence in Action” Award to West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin), the City of Inglewood, and other project partners for the SoFi Stadium Recycled Water Project

Photo Credit: Fansided.com

 

27.  Soldier Field Stadium (Home to the Chicago Bears)

Three superb architects jointly designed this grand stadium. They include Dirk Lohan, Carlos Zapata, and Benjamin T. Wood.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Seats: 61.5K occupants

Opened: 1924; 1978 Renovation; 1982 Renovation; 1992 Renovation; 1994 Renovation

Architect of Record: Architects William Holabird and Martin Roche; Great article on the history of Soldier Field

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Kentucky Bluegrass

Fun Facts

Design: Neoclassical style, with Doric columns rising above the East and West entrances

Opened on 1924 as Municipal Grant Park Stadium then the name was changed to Soldier Field in 1925, as a memorial to U.S. soldiers who had died in combat

Soldier Field is the oldest standing NFL stadium in the US

2nd Smallest stadium in the NFL

Hosted the first ever Special Olympics Summer Games in 1968

Hosted the 1st World Cup in the United States of America in 1994

In the winter of 1958, after the creation of manmade snow, the field was the home to a miniature ski resort, complete with two ski jumps and a toboggan slide

that spread down over the seats in the stadium

Much of the site for the stadium was still under water when the park commissioners voted to construct it south of the Field Museum. While it was being built, the

New York Times noted that it was the largest building ever to make use of "concrete stone," that is, concrete made to look like cut stone, with 130,000 cubic feet

of the stuff

Landmark Delisting: In 2001, the Chicago Park District, which owns the structure, faced substantial criticism when it announced plans to alter the stadium with

a design by Benjamin T. Wood and Carlos Zapata of the Boston-based architecture firm Wood + Zapata. Stadium grounds were reconfigured by Chicago-based

architecture firm of Lohan Associate, led by architect Dirk Lohan, the grandson of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. On September 23, 2004, as a result of the

2003 renovation, a 10-member federal advisory committee unanimously recommended that Soldier Field be delisted as a National Historic Landmark. The stadium

lost the Landmark designation on February 17, 2006

May 2012, the stadium became the first NFL stadium to achieve LEED status

Photo Credit: ChicagoTribune.com

 

28.  State Farm Stadium (Home to the Arizona Cardinals)

New York Architect, Peter Eisenman, designed State Farm Stadium in partnership with Populous (formerly known as HOK Sports) and Hunt Construction Group

Location: Glendale, Arizona

Seats: 68K occupants; Expands to accommodate 73K occupants

Opened: 2006

Architect of Record: New York architect Peter Eisenman

Roof Type: Retractable

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Features a retractable roof and a movable field of natural grass that is rolled into the arena on game days

The shiny, metallic panels reflects shifting desert light patterns to mimic the ever-changing colors of the Arizona sky, as well as throw off the desert heat. The

translucent fabric roof admits daylight and creates the feeling of being outdoors, yet protects spectators and players from the direct heat of the sun

1st stadium in North America with both a retractable roof and retractable field

88 luxury suites – called luxury lofts – with space for 16 future suites as the stadium matures

The 25 acres surrounding the stadium is called Sportsman's Park. Included within the Park is an 8-acre landscaped tailgating area called the Great

Lawn. The approximate elevation at field level is 1,070 feet above sea level.

There are no obstructed view seats in the stadium. There are visible areas in the upper deck of the end zone where seats could have been put in but were not due

to the giant super columns supporting the roof structure

The roof is made out of translucent Birdair fabric and opens in 12 minutes. It is the first retractable roof ever built on an incline.

Photo Credit: Populous.com

 

29.  TIAA Bank Field (Home to the Jacksonville Jaguars)

Populous, once again, created the brilliant design for TIAA Bank Field when the firm was still known as HOK Sports.

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Seats: 69,132 occupants

Opened: 1995; Multiple renovations

Architect of Record: Populous (f/k/a HOK Sports)

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Bermuda Grass

Fun Facts

Accommodates both NFL and collegiate football requirements

Has a first-of-its-kind, two-in-one amphitheater and covered flex field that connects to the stadium

Former Gator Bowl required demolition of the existing bowl, leaving only the concrete west upper deck and ramp structure to be incorporated into the new design

Sits on 10 acres

11,200 club seats, 88 luxury suites, and a "super suite"

Photo Credit: Orlandosentinel.com

 

30.  U.S. Bank Stadium (Home to the Minnesota Vikings)

Also known as The People’s Stadium, this stadium was lucky to have its design created by HKS Architects Bryan Trubey, Heath May, Mark Williams, Kevin Taylor, John M. Hutchings, and Scott Hunter. "Clear is the new retractable. I love the fact that you’re inside in a temperature-controlled environment but feel the elements. You feel like you’re outdoors, you see the sky and the city and the weather." - Mark Wilf, Owner and President, Minnesota Vikings

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Seats: 66.2K occupants; Can be expanded to 73K

Opened: 2016

Architect of Record: HKS Architects

Roof Type: Fixed

Football field surface: UBU Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf

Fun Facts

1st stadium to receive a Bike Friendly Business certification and has over 180 bike racks

Challenge: To create a stadium that connects and celebrates the people of Minnesota, offering an unparalleled fan experience inside the stadium while driving economic development in the surrounding neighborhood

Design Solution: Designed to reflect the culture, climate and context of the city, drawing inspiration from ice formations on nearby St. Anthony’s Falls as well as

Scandinavian design such as Viking longboats. Two of the stadium’s notable design innovations include The Legacy Gate, comprised of five, pivoting glass doors

ranging from 75 to 95 feet tall, and the first ETFE roof in a U.S. stadium. When open, The Legacy Gate connects the stadium to its adjacent urban plaza. The

translucent ETFE roof withstands the brutal weather of Minneapolis’ climate, while flooding the interior with natural daylight, creating the feeling of being outdoors

without subjecting players or fans to the elements

LEED Gold certified

1.8 million square feet

125 suites

7.5K club seats

2019 AIA Dallas Chapter, Built Awards, Juror Citation, Large Projects Category

2018 The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, American Architecture Award, The Chicago Athenaeum

2018 American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award

2018 Minnesota Meetings + Events Magazine Readers’ Choice Award, Best Sports Venue

2018 American Institute of Steel Construction IDEAS2 Over $75M Merit Award

2018 Los Angeles Business Council Los Angeles Architecture Award, Beyond LA Category

2017 World Architecture Festival Building of the Year (Completed Projects: Sports)

2017 Stadium Business Awards, The David Vickers Award

2017 Athletic Business Facilities of Merit

2017 ACE Alpha Awards, Architect Award for Best Infrastructure

2018 Innovator of the Year from the Green Sports Alliance for the waste diversion efforts during Super Bowl LII

Certified LEED Gold in 2017 for Building Design and Construction (BD + C)

On-Site Issues (Mississippi Flyway migration route): Years before construction began on the stadium, local, state and national conservation groups -

including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Audubon Society - requested a "bird-friendly" design of the stadium's exterior using slightly less

transparent bird-safe glass. Designers, the Vikings and the NFL ignored the advice and instead used highly reflective glass for aesthetic reasons. The reflective

glass, combined with the stadium lying along the Mississippi Flyway migration route, has resulted in a large number of bird deaths, double than any other building

in Minneapolis. A "bird fatality study" being financed by the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority was expected to be completed in 2019. If changes

are made, it will now cost about $10 million to replace the existing glass with bird-safe glass rather than the $1 million it would have added to the original

construction

First Professional Sports Stadium To Achieve LEED Platinum Certification For Operations And Maintenance

Photo Credit: Dailynorseman.com

 

Conclusion

There you have it. 30 functioning NFL football stadiums and their brilliant architects listed for you. As a bonus here are the additional stadiums NFL teams play in when they are abroad and not stateside.

 

31.  Estadio Azteca (NFL Mexico Game)

Multi-purpose stadium located in Mexico City. It is the official home of football club Club América, and the Mexico national football team. It is the largest stadium in

Mexico.

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Seats: 83,264 occupants

Opened: 1966; 1998 Renovation; 2015-19 Renovation

Architect of Record: Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Grass

Fun Facts

The site in which Pelé and Diego Maradona (during the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cup) lifted the trophy for the last time (The Jules Rimet Trophy and the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, respectively)

Interesting article on the history behind Estadio Azteca

Photo Credit: Usatoday.com

 

32.  Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Hall of Fame Game)

Football stadium and entertainment complex in Canton, Ohio. It is a major component of Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls (formerly Johnson

Controls Hall of Fame Village), located adjacent to the grounds of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Location: Canton, Ohio

Seats: 22,364 occupants

Opened: 1938

Architect of Record:  

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: FieldTurf Classic HD

Fun Facts

Five open-air spaces overlooking the playing field and a great view of the stage for a casual outdoor party before or during any stadium event, accommodating

groups of 50 to 265 guests

Photo Credit: Profootballhof.com

 

33.  Wembley Stadium (NFL London Games)

The new 90,000 seat Wembley Stadium was designed by the World Stadium Team, a joint venture between Populous and Foster & Partners, as a multi-purpose

venue to host soccer, rugby, concerts and, by the installation of a temporary deck above pitch level, athletics when required

Location: London, England

Seats: 90K occupants

Opened: 2007

Architect of Record: HOK Sport (now Populous), Foster and Partners, Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners (planning consultants)

Roof Type: Partially Retractable

Football field surface: Desso GrassMaster

Fun Facts

As the venue for the biggest national and international games in English football, the stadium has a range of hospitality spaces that allow 10,000 people to dine

before a match

The stadium roof has an area of 40,000 m² (430,000 sq ft), of which 13,722 m² (147,700 sq ft) is movable. The primary reason for the sliding roof was to avoid

shading the pitch, as grass demands direct sunlight to grow effectively

The arch is the world's longest unsupported roof structure

2,618 toilets, more than any other venue in the world

4,000 separate piles form the foundations of the new stadium, the deepest of which is 35 m (115 ft)

90,000 m³ (120,000 cu yd) of concrete and 23,000 tonnes (25,000 short tons) of steel were used in the construction of the new stadium

2007 Vodafone Live Music Awards, Best Live Music Venue

2008 RIBA, RIBA London Awards

2008 LDSA Regional Built in Quality Awards, Best Fire Engineering Innovation

 

34.  Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (NFL London Games)

Home of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in north London, replacing the club's previous stadium, White Hart Lane. It is the third-largest football stadium in

England and the largest club stadium in London. Designed to be a multi-purpose stadium and features the world's first dividing, retractable football pitch, which

reveals a synthetic turf field underneath for NFL London Games, concerts and other events.

Location: London, England

Seats: 62,062 occupants

Opened: 2019

Architect of Record: Populous, responsible for all aspects of the design of the scheme from 2014 and the initial concept stages, through to the completion of

construction works in 2019

Roof Type: Open

Football field surface: Artificial Turf

Fun Facts

The angle of the stands is set at up to 35 degrees

There are 17,500 seats in the south stand – the largest single-tier stand in the UK - with a height of more than 34m

There are 471 toilets - 84% of them for females - and 773 urinals across the stadium

65 wheelchair bays split across all tiers and 514 dedicated ambulant seats. There are three changing places toilets for those with complex care requirements, as

well as 74 accessible toilets throughout the stadium while all concession counters around the stadium have been lowered for easier access

2021 IPC IAKS Distinction for Accessibility

2021 IOC IAKS Award – Gold

Photo Credit: Tottenhamhotspur.com