NFL Stadium Rankings

Yahoo Sports and NFPost.com put together a ranking of all stadiums in the NFL based on several different factors. You might be surprised to find out what the #1 stadium is, no surprise though about what stadium ended up on the bottom of the list.

1. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)

Seating Capacity: 72,928

Playing Surface: Grass

Opened: 1957

Lambeau Field

Billed as “the crown jewel of the National Football League,” Lambeau Field underwent a $295 million facelift in 2003 to give the venue a 21st century look while maintaining a retro feel. Lambeau certainly isn’t the most architecturally impressive venue, but it does boast some of the league’s best fans and has more historical significance than any other stadium in the NFL.

Think of it like this: If you’ve never been to an NFL game and knew you were going to die tomorrow, would you rather go to the old stomping grounds of Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr, or the two-year old Cowboys Stadium?

2. Cowboys Stadium (Dallas Cowboys)

Seating Capacity: 80,000 (allegedly expandable to 110,000, but we saw how well that worked out at the Super Bowl)

Playing Surface: Artificial Turf

Opened: 2009

As far as architecture and technology are concerned, Cowboys Stadium is the best in the business. You can’t help but find yourself in awe at the sheer size of the building as you approach from Route 30. In addition, the $30 million video screen that hangs 90 feet above the field has become the gold standard for JumboTrons in today’s NFL.

However, having opened in 2009, the place lacks historical significance and has the ability to keep the roof closed if the weather turns ugly. That’s why it failed to top Lambeau for the top spot in the rankings.

3. Qwest Field (Seattle Seahawks)

Seating Capacity: 67,000

Playing Surface: FieldTurf

Opened: 2002

Not only is Qwest Field a sweet piece of eye candy that makes up part of the Seattle skyline, but this place is as loud as they come. I challenge you to name one outdoor venue that can generate more noise on Sundays than Paul Allen’s baby.

Qwest is located in downtown Seattle right next to the Puget Sound and per the Seahawks’ website is set “against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.” In addition, Seattle is 5-1 at home during the playoffs since opening the joint in 2002.

Bonus: Qwest is located just 41 miles north of Chambers Bay, the best golf course you’ve never heard of.

4. Heinz Field (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Seating Capacity: 65,050

Playing Surface: Grass

Opened: 2001

Heinz has only been open for ten years, so the history doesn’t run too deep. But the Steelers have won two Super Bowl bowls since making the move from Three Rivers Stadium, something 21 NFL teams can’t say they’ve achieved in their entire history.

Pittsburgh is one of the great football cities in America. If you’re looking for a good time, book a hotel in the downtown area on Saturday and valet the car, because you can get everywhere you need to go by walking or taking a cab. The parking at the stadium is limited, but you can hit McFadden’s before the game to get tuned up prior to kickoff.

If you disagree with Heinz Field being rated this high, you’ve never been there in a crucial third-down situation with the 65,000+ faithful in attendance all waving their Terrible Towels trying to help their defense get a stop. It’s an awesome sight.

When in Pittsburgh, be sure to visit Primanti Bros.

5. Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles)

Seating Capacity: 69,144

Playing Surface: Grass

Opened: 2003

This place doesn’t feature the same hostility or 700 level chaos that could be found at Veterans Stadium back in the days of Buddy Ryan and Randall Cunningham, but trust me, that doesn’t mean Lincoln Financial Field is a friendly environment for visiting teams.

I’ve sat in the last row at the Linc and can tell you first-hand that this place doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. In addition, fans are treated (I use that term loosely) to scenic views of the Philly skyline out of the west end zone.

The true beauty of Lincoln Financial Field comes before kickoff, as this venue is part of a Philadelphia sports complex that is also home to Citizens Bank Park (Phillies) and the Wells Fargo Center (Flyers, Sixers). With all of the parking available, fans have the luxury of tailgating with their 69,000 closest friends prior to game time.

You can find the rest of the list here. But let's find out what stadium made the bottom of the list.

31. The place where the Minnesota Vikings play (what the hell do you people call it these days?)

Seating Capacity: 64,121

Playing Surface: Sportexe Momentum Turf

Opened: 1982

The video speaks for itself: