The 20 Biggest NFL Stadiums by Crowd Capacity

MetLife-Stadium-exterior

Have you ever sat in a football stadium during an NFL game, looked around and thought, “I wonder how many people are here, right now?” I sure have. And, for that reason, I decided to take a look at the largest NFL stadiums in terms of capacity. The size of some of these stadiums may be a bit of a surprise, but one thing is for sure—they are all rocking during football season.

Photo via Flickr/gargudojr

levis-stadium-49ers

20. Levi’s Stadium – 68,500 (San Francisco 49ers)

The newest stadium in the NFL and home to the San Francisco 49ers, Levi’s Stadium has gotten a bit of criticism due to it being located in Santa Clara and not in San Francisco, making it a haul for fans to get to. Still, it’s a state-of-the-art complex that is an upgrade over the old Candlestick Park for one of the most successful franchises in league history.

Photo via Flickr/onedropphoto

gillette -tadium-patriots

19. Gillette Stadium – 68,756 (New England Patriots)

Since moving into Gillette Stadium back in 2002, the New England Patriots have seen serious success. While it can’t all be attributed to their homefield advantage, there’s still no denying that the place has been good to the team. Hosting various AFC Championship Games over the years, the Pats are set for another sellout this weekend as they host another conference title game in hopes of making their fifth Super Bowl appearance since moving into Gillette.

Photo via Flickr/geoman78

lp-field-titans

18. LP Field – 68,804 (Tennessee Titans)

Home to the Tennessee Titans since the team moved to Nashville in 1999, LP Field’s most famous memory was the Music City Miracle, which occurred during the first season the Titans played there. With an improbable lateral that led to a playoff victory and, eventually, a spot in the Super Bowl, LP Field has served as a great host for fans ever since. With recent upgrades to video screens, it’s still as state-of-the-art as any of the newer stadiums.

Photo via Flickr/malcolmmacgregor

lincoln-financial-stadium-eagles

17. Lincoln Financial Stadium – 69,172 (Philadelphia Eagles)

Another field that has undergone renovations in the past few years, Lincoln Financial Stadium has been a great host for the Philadelphia Eagles. While their old stadium was rundown and lacked any character, The Link has bolstered the player and fan experience, providing a great spot to watch a football game. And with the team having success since moving in, it’s true that there’s no place like home in Philly.

Photo via Flickr/leesure

qualcomm-stadium-chargers

16. Qualcomm Stadium – 70,561 (San Diego Chargers)

While Qualcomm Stadium has a max capacity of over 70,500, that doesn’t mean that it’s one of the most beautiful stadiums in the league. Located in San Diego, fans are often seen baking in the sun during early-season Chargers games and, due to it having a cookie cutter design, it lacks any real character. That’s probably why the team is exploring options once the lease is up in a few years—which, yes, includes a possible relocation to Los Angeles.

Photo via Flickr/dirkhansen

MT-stadium-ravens

15. M&T Stadium – 71,008 (Baltimore Ravens)

The home of the Baltimore Ravens since 1998, M&T Stadium has been revered in the league for its fan amenities, ease of access and variety of concessions for fans to enjoy. With that type of experience, it’s no wonder more than 71,000 Ravens fans scream as loud as they can during every home game. And with the team being one of the most successful in the league since moving to Baltimore from Cleveland, it has provided plenty of good memories.

Photo via Flickr/skylinescenes

NRG-stadium-texans

14. NRG Stadium – 71,054 (Houston Texans)

Formerly known as Reliant Stadium, NRG Stadium serves as the home field for the Houston Texans, giving the team and its fans a massive place to watch a game. While it’s not as large as the better-known stadium in Texas—AT&T Stadium in Dallas—NRG Stadium is still one of the prettiest places for a sporting event, whether that be a Texans game or as host of a Super Bowl. It’s design is both unique and remarkable to look at.

Photo via Flickr/tiascapes

georgia-dome-falcons

13. Georgia Dome – 71,228 (Atlanta Falcons)

It might not be as easy on the eyes as others on this list, but the Georgia Dome in Atlanta was, at one time, a marvel for they way it was built. The largest dome structure when it first opened in 1992, the arena has broken numerous world records for other sporting events in college basketball and soccer matches. A multi-sport complex, the Dome is one of the staples in the city of Atlanta, making it a place fans are used to visiting.

Photo via Flickr/ucumari

ralph-wilson-stadium-bills

12. Ralph Wilson Stadium – 73,079 (Buffalo Bills)

Opening in 1973, Ralph Wilson Stadium definitely identifies with the people of Buffalo who visit every home Bills game. Not boasting much flash or any key features, the stadium has seen both good and bad moments in its day. The most memorable is the biggest comeback in NFL playoff history, when the home BIlls defeated the Houston Oilers back in the 1993 playoffs.

Photo via Flickr/markwatmough

firstenergy-stadium-browns

11. FirstEnergy Stadium – 73,200 (Cleveland Browns)

Recently getting the naming rights, the Cleveland Browns now call FirstEnergy Stadium home, going away from the bland Cleveland Browns Stadium it was once referred to as. Unfortunately, since the team’s rebirth in 1999, the stadium hasn’t provided much of a homefield advantage, as the Brownies have been inconsistent in-front of their home crowd. Sure, the Dawg Pound comes out in masses each and every game, nearly reaching its 73,200 capacity, but the product on the field seems to always leave them disappointed. Better days are, hopefully, ahead.

Photo via Flickr/edrost88

bank-of-america-stadium-panthers

10. Bank of America Stadium – 73,778 (Carolina Panthers)

Home to the Carolina Panthers since the team’s inaugural season in 1996, Bank of America Stadium seats 73,778 comfortably to see the team play. Also home to a college bowl game each season, the stadium stands as the center of the football universe in Charlotte. Another fun fact about the place known as “The Vault;” it’s only one of two stadiums that still uses the NFL shield as its midfield design, as Panthers owner Jerry Richardson believes that nothing should be above the league.

Photo via Flickr/lwowen

sun-life-stadium-dolphins

9. Sun Life Stadium – 75,540 (Miami Dolphins)

Upon first glance at the Miami Dolphins’ Sun Life Stadium, the first thing someone probably notices is its massive size. A huge structure that has served as home for the team since 1987, the structure is actually a lot bigger than the seating capacity of 75,540. Maybe it’s the bright orange seats, though, which, too often, aren’t fully occupied by fans. A franchise on the upswing, the Dolphins hope that Sun Life gets filled more often—even if it does lack the current luxuries other stadium offer.

Photo via Flickr/mangoandpeaches

sports-authority-stadium-broncos

8. Sports Authority Field at Mile High – 76,125 (Denver Broncos)

Replacing the former Mile High Stadium when it first opened in 2001, Sports Authority Field at Mile High has been home to the Denver Broncos ever since, becoming one of the best homefield advantages in all of sports. With the team going undefeated during the regular season in 2014, they may have lost in their first postseason game there this year, but the field serves as a reminder at how difficult it is to play a mile high.

Photo via Flickr/scnightrod

superdome-saints

7. Mercedes-Benz Superdome – 76,468 (New Orleans Saints)

Most people are aware of the story about the Superdome in New Orleans following the unfortunate events of Hurricane Katrina. Serving as a resting place and shelter for thousands of residents, the place might lack a lot of character, but it will always have a soft spot in the hearts of so many locals. Seating over 76,000 for each Saints home game, the dome also hosts college football’s Sugar Bowl each season, along with other collegiate events, mainly those for Tulsa University.

Photo via Flickr/craigowaffles

everbank-field-jaguars

6. EverBank Field – 76,867 (Jacksonville Jaguars)

The Jacksonville Jaguars might not be one of the best teams in the league, but they do play in one of the bigger capacity stadiums in the NFL. Seating nearly 77,000 fans, spectators have taken advantage of the upgrade that EverBank Field have had in recent years, including new video boards and, yes, even a swimming pool for those hot Florida days. Ironically enough, the team has committed to playing games in London over the next few seasons, making their home away from home in Europe.

Photo via Flickr/kylefarris

fedex-field-redskins

5. FedEx Field – 79,000 (Washington Redskins)

One of the oldest franchises in the NFL, the Washington Redskins play their home games in FedEx Field, bringing out some of the most diehard supporters in the league. While the team has struggled in recent years—save for a division title in 2012—the Skins still averaged the fifth-highest attendance in 2014, which can probably be attributed to the amount of seating options at the stadium that holds 79,000.

Photo via Flickr/crdunn

arrowhead-stadium-chiefs

4. Arrowhead Stadium – 79,451 (Kansas City Chiefs)

A team on the upswing like the Kansas City Chiefs has gotten even more attention from locals who have, through thick and thin, supported the team. As diehard and raucous as they come, Chiefs fans make Arrowhead Stadium one of the best homefield advantages in all of sports, dealing with a variety of crazy weather to don their red and yellow gear. And with about 75,000 capable of seating in the stadium, it can be scary for opposing teams to play in.

Photo via Flickr/bbaltimore

att-stadium-cowboys

3. AT&T Stadium – 80,000 (Dallas Cowboys)

Better known as “Jerry’s World,” AT&T Stadium is the premier place for a football fan to watch a game. Sure, it’s almost like having a nightclub inside a football stadium, but that’s part of what makes it so appealing—especially for big brands who host games. And while the Dallas Cowboys are the home team who occupies the place most often, various college games are held in AT&T, too. With expandable, standing room, seating available to squeeze an additional 25,000 in it, AT&T Stadium is quite the spectacle.

Photo via Flickr/osuathletics

lambeau-field-packers

2. Lambeau Field – 80,735 (Green Bay Packers)

Arguably the most famous football stadium in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field is constantly packed to the brim with fans who have an invested interest in the team. Nearly full each and every game, the place seats 80,000-plus, bringing together a town who can’t get enough of their Packers. It may lack the up-to-date features of others on this list, but, like Fenway Park in baseball, Lambeau has all the nooks and crannies that makes it iconic.

Photo via Flickr/elviskennedy

MetLife-Stadium-Giants

1. MetLife Stadium – 82,566 (New York Giants and New York Jets)

When a place exceeds the $1 billion mark as a price tag to be built, it usually has a lot of seating options. That’s why MetLife Stadium—home of both the New York Jets and Giants—is No. 1 on this list. With seating that, when completely full, is just shy of 83,000, MetLife Stadium is a goliath of a structure that the NFL will show-off whenever they can. Look no further than last year’s Super Bowl, which became the first cold weather Big Game in NFL history due to the fact that the stadium is the most flashy.

Photo via Flickr/ljcjones

Written by Nick Dimengo

Graduate of the University of Kentucky. Cleveland sports fan. Frustrated respecter of LeBron James. Influencer of bad ideas. In addition to Worthly/Housely, I'm a regular contributor to Bleacher Report, Scout, Esquire and Maxim, and run or bike way too much for my own good when not writing. The day a Cleveland sports team wins a title is the day I can officially say my life is complete.