20 Best Minor League Ballparks

20 Best Minor League Ballparks

There’s nothing quite like spending the day watching some exciting baseball action at one of the best minor league ballparks in the country. The atmosphere is electric, the stadium food is always on-point — especially if it’s your cheat day — and you get to meet some new people.

They don’t refer to baseball as America’s National Pastime for nothing. In fact, it’s one of the most popular sports in the entire world and draws viewers from everywhere. While minor league baseball isn’t as popular as the big leagues, it still attracts a variety of unique, dedicated fans. 

Why is that? Well, minor league tickets are usually cheap — especially compared to the major leagues — making it the perfect family outing for adults and children alike. Plus, a lot of the stadiums are located in areas that don’t have professional sports, so it’s all fans have to root for.

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What Are the Best Minor League Ballparks?

20 Best Minor League Ballparks
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As you can likely imagine, no two ballparks are created equal. They all have unique features, design elements, and styles that separate them from each other. It’s a large reason why so many people make an effort to visit as many minor league ballparks as possible in their lifetime.

Although you’ll have fun at any ballpark, the best minor league ballparks take that experience to the next level. They have the best food, the best views, the best jumbotrons, the best announcers, and the best promotions. The best minor league ballparks know how to do it right.

With so many ballparks across all three minor league classes (A, AA, AAA), you’re likely wondering which ballparks are considered the best minor league ballparks. Don’t worry, we’re going to break down our top-20 best minor league ballparks that need to be on your bucket list. 

20. Las Vegas Ballpark

Location: Summerlin, Nevada

Team: Las Vegas Aviators (AAA)

Affiliate: Oakland Athletics 

Built: April 6, 2019

Capacity: 10,000 people

Las Vegas Ballpark is one of the newest minor league ballparks, giving it an advantage against other ballpacks that are a little more outdated. The ballpark became the new home of the Las Vegas Aviators in 2019 after spending the previous 35+ seasons at Cashman Field. 

Some of the features at Las Vegas Ballpark include a pool in center field, a kid’s zone, 350 party deck seats, 22 suites, 400 club-level seats, and several bars. It’s the only minor league stadium with all breathable mesh seats and features the largest video board at 3,930 square feet.

19. ONEOK Field

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Team: Tulsa Drillers (AA)

Affiliate: Los Angeles Dodgers

Built: April 8, 2010

Capacity: 7,833 people

ONEOK Field replaced the Tulsa Drillers previous ballpark called Drillers Stadium in 2010. If it weren’t for last minute efforts by then-mayor Kathy Taylor, the Drillers likely would’ve moved to Jenks, Oklahoma — a Tulsa suburb. Instead, they decided to build a ballpark downtown. 

The actual field is recessed about 13 feet below street level, giving it a unique feel when you enter. It features 23 suites and is designed to give fans a luxurious experience similar to that of a major league game. It’s also home to FC Tulsa of the USL Championship soccer league. 

18. Dunkin’ Donuts Park

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

Team: Hartford Yard Goats (AA)

Affiliate: Colorado Rockies

Built: April 11, 2017

Capacity: 6,121 people

Dunkin’ Donuts Park was part of a massive redevelopment plan — Downtown North (DoNo) — that was estimated to cost around $400 million. It’s located in Connecticut’s capital city and opened in 2017. It was named Ballpark Digest’s best minor league ballpark in 2017 and 2018.

It was originally supposed to open in 2016, but construction delays resulted in a 2017 opening. The ballpark also plays home to some college baseball games, the Cape Cod Baseball League occasionally, some international baseball exhibition games, and the Links at the Yard. 

17. Riders Field

Location: Frisco, Texas

Team: Frisco RoughRiders (AA)

Affiliate: Texas Rangers

Built: April 3, 2003

Capacity: 10,216 people

Many of you may know Riders Field as Dr. Pepper Ballpark, which is what it was called until the 2021 season. Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. actually decided not to renew their naming rights to the stadium in 2017, but the team didn’t want to pay to have the signage replaced in the stadium.

Now known as Riders Field, the ballpark has a unique style, design, and architectural feel to it. Some people call it a “village-like park surrounding a baseball field.” It boasts 360-degree views, 26 luxury suites with patio balconies, covered party decks, and a 174-foot long lazy river. 

16. AutoZone Park

Location: Memphis, Tennessee

Team: Memphis RedBirds (AAA)

Affiliate: St. Louis Cardinals

Built: April 1, 2000

Capacity: 10,000 people

AutoZone Park has been the home of the Memphis Redbirds for over 20 years and is one of the most beloved minor league ballparks. It offers a variety of seating views, including a Family Leisure Picnic Pavillion, the Bluffs (lawn seating), two open-air party decks, and three balconies. 

Over the past few years, the team has invested over $10 million in improvements and renovations, including a new video board, a team store, and updated Club Level seating. The ballpark features 1,600 club seats, 48 upper club level suites, and an air-conditioned concourse.

15. Hadlock Field

Location: Portland, Maine

Team: Portland Sea Dogs (AA)

Affiliate: Boston Red Sox

Built: April 18, 1994

Capacity: 7,368 people

Hadlock Field has been around for over 25 years and has seen plenty of improvements since it first opened. It’s unique in many ways, including the ‘Maine Monster’ (similar to the Green Monster at Fenway Park). It’s also one of two minor league ballparks with an elevated bullpen.

Every time a Sea Dogs’ player hits a home run, a giant lighthouse emerges in centerfield. The lighthouse also makes an appearance after every Sea Dogs’ win. The ballpark is named after Edson B Hadlock Jr. and is also where Portland High School and Deering High School play. 

14. Sahlen Field

Location: Buffalo, New York

Team: Buffalo Bisons (AAA)

Affiliate: Toronto Blue Jays

Built: April 14, 1988

Capacity: 16,600 people

You might not think of Buffalo as a good baseball town, but this city absolutely loves their Buffalo Bisons’ team. In fact, Sahlen Field has been around since 1988 and was formerly known as Pilot Field, Downtown Park, North AmeriCare Park, Dunn Tire Park, and Coca-Cola Field. 

Seating 16,600 people, Sahlen Field has the highest capacity of any AAA team in the US. There’s a lot of history in this ballpark and was even chosen to host the Toronto Blue Jays during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also hosts concerts, professional wrestling, and more. 

13. Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Team: Durham Bulls (AAA)

Affiliate: Tampa Bay Rays

Built: April 6, 1995

Capacity: 10,000 people

Also known as DBAP, Durham Bulls Athletic Park features a 32-foot high wall in left field called the Blue Monster — similar to Fenway Park’s Green Monster. There’s also a huge bull sign located on top of the Blue Monster, which is a replica of the one used in Bull Durham

The ballpark saw major renovations in 2014 after a 20-year lease extension was signed. This brought improvements to the concessions, new picnic areas, a new club area, new plumbing, new field lighting, state of the art HD displays, and much more. It’s a must-visit ballpark.

12. Fluor Field at the West End

Location: Greenville, South Carolina

Team: Greenville Drive (High-A)

Affiliate: Boston Red Sox

Built: April 6, 2006

Capacity: 6,700 people

If you’re a Boston Red Sox fan or a fan of Fenway Park in general, then Fluor Field at the West End is a must-visit ballpark for you. Not only does it have a ‘Green Monster’ replica in left field and ‘Pesky’s Pole’ in right field, but the field has the same exact dimensions as Fenway Park. 

The Greenville Drive even play ‘Sweet Caroline’ in the middle of the eighth inning — a tradition at Fenway Park. Since the furthest seat is just 15 rows away from the action, you’ll be close to the field no matter where you sit. It has hosted several Southern Conference Baseball Tournaments. 

11. Parkview Field

Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Team: Fort Wayne TinCaps (High-A)

Affiliate: San Diego Padres

Built: April 16, 2009

Capacity: 8,100 people

Parkview Field is the ballpark that replaced Memorial Stadium as the home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps. It was part of a massive redevelopment project downtown called Harrison Square and is definitely one of the best minor league ballparks to visit — either alone or with the family. 

The ballpark features 16 luxury suites, the Appleseed Picnic Pavilion in right field, the Treetops Rooftop Party Area, the Home Run Porch, lawn seating, and a one-of-a-kind luxury suite located in the ‘batter’s eye.’ As you can see, there are a lot of different ways to experience this ballpark. 

10. FirstEnergy Stadium

Location: Reading, Pennsylvania

Team: Reading Fightin Phils (AA)

Affiliate: Philadelphia Phillies

Built: April 15, 1951

Capacity: 10,000 people

FirstEnergy Stadium is the oldest ballpark on this list, first opening on April 15, 1951 — over 70 years ago. It was originally called Reading Municipal-Memorial Stadium, but earned its current name due to corporate sponsorship. The last major renovations were completed in 2011. 

It has long been considered one of the best minor league ballparks, receiving the Digital Ballparks.com Ballpark Of The Year Award in 2002. The ballpark isn’t to be confused with the home of the Cleveland Browns (NFL), which is also called FirstEnergy Stadium.

9. Dell Diamond

Location: Round Rock, Texas

Team: Round Rock Express (AAA)

Affiliate: Texas Rangers

Built: April 16, 2000

Capacity: 11,631 people

What used to be 85 acres of farmland was converted into one of the best minor league ballparks in the country. The owners of the Round Rock Express were originally interested in building a stadium in Austin, Texas, but ultimately chose to sign a 38-year lease in  Round Rock, Texas. 

It’s a good thing Dell Diamond can hold over 11,500 fans because the area has been booming in recent years. Over the past 20 years, the population has more than doubled, providing fans with amazing baseball entertainment every year. It doesn’t have scenic views, but it’s worth a visit. 

8. Huntington Park

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Team: Columbus Clippers (AAA)

Affiliate: Cleveland Indians

Built: April 18, 2009

Capacity: 10,100 people

After being built in 2009, Huntington Park was named the Ballpark of the Year that same year by Baseballparks.com — beating out all other new ballparks, including several major league parks. It’s a true testament to just how incredible this ballpark is. From top to bottom, it’s spectacular. 

Huntington Park features a 110-foot bar in left field, six open patios, the AEP Power Pavilion, the Picnic Terrace, and the Pedialyte Porch, giving fans several different ways to enjoy and experience the game. It also features 650 club seats, 42 loge boxes, and 32 luxury suites. 

7. LoanMart Field

Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California

Team: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Low-A)

Affiliate: Los Angeles Dodgers

Built: April 3, 1993

Capacity: 6,588 people

Formerly known as the City of Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter Entertainment & Sports Complex, LoanMart Field earned its current name after LoanMart signed a 10-year sponsorship in 2013 to gain naming rights to the stadium. It was designed by architect Grillias-Pirc-Rosier-Alves.

It has seen several improvements since 2008, including new seats, cup holders, padded seating, renovated clubhouses, and a Batting Cage Terrace where fans can watch a player’s batting practice and even take an abbreviated batting practice themselves during the game. 

6. Blue Wahoos Stadium

Location: Pensacola, Florida

Team: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA)

Affiliate: Miami Marlins

Built: 2012

Capacity: 5,038 people

If you love a scenic view while watching one of the greatest sports in the world, then Blue Wahoos Stadium is the place to be. It has one of the best views in minor league baseball and has an atmosphere unlike any other. There’s a reason it sees such a high attendance each year. 

In fact, the ballpark was designed by a company that often designs stadiums for professional sports teams, which makes sense when you visit the ballpark. Despite being the smallest stadium in AA baseball, it allows fans to get a closer look at the action compared to other parks. 

5. Nat Bailey Stadium

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

Team: Vancouver Canadians (High-A)

Affiliate: Toronto Blue Jays

Built: July 15, 1951

Capacity: 6,500 people

Nat Bailey Stadium is the second oldest ballpark on this list. It’s one of minor league baseball’s most historic ballparks and has hosted Vancouver baseball for over 70 years. While most ballparks today feature a digital scoreboard, the Nat features the classic manual scoreboard. 

Over the past two decades, ownership has taken huge strides in not only improving the ballpark, but helping to restore the ballpark back to its original 1951 condition. Formerly known as Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, their goal is to provide fans with a nostalgic experience.

4. Coca-Cola Park

Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Team: Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA)

Affiliate: Philadelphia Phillies

Built: March 30, 2008

Capacity: 10,178 people

With a capacity over 10,000 people, Coca-Cola Park provides fans with a variety of ways to experience the game they love, including the Majestic Clubhouse, Bud Light Trough, Capital BlueCross Lawn, PenTeleData Party Porches, Dugout Suites and Red Robin Tiki Terrace. 

It’s also a great place to bring the family. It features a number of games that kids can play, including the LVHN Children’s Hospital KidsZone, speed pitch, slides, and much more. There’s a 20×50 foot videoboard and the Coca-Cola bottle that launches fireworks when they score.

3. TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Team: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low-A)

Affiliate: Chicago Cubs

Built: April 12, 1999

Capacity: 6,599 people

Formerly known as Coastal Federal Field and BB&T Coastal Field, TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark is a one-of-a-kind ballpark in Myrtle Beach. It’s in need of improvements, but ownership is aware and is willing to put a plan together to keep the ballpark in good standing. 

For example, they need to improve the home and away clubhouses, several team facilities, wall height upgrades, and lighting upgrades. Still, this ballpark is one of the best minor league ballparks to visit and should be on any baseball fan’s bucket list at least once in their life. 

2. Day Air Ballpark

Location: Dayton, Ohio

Team: Dayton Dragons (High-A)

Affiliate: Cincinnati Reds

Built: April 23, 2000

Capacity: 8,000+

Day Air Ballpark features 28 luxury suites, 7 permanent concession stands, 13 specialty concession carts, a 72,000 square foot plaza at the entrance, indoor batting and pitching tunnels, an LED outfield wall, a seven story tall LED scoreboard, and two 90-foot LED fascias.

It’s been around for over 20 years now and has cemented itself as one of the best minor league ballparks in existence today. It’s known for its sellout atmosphere, breaking a professional sports record with 815 consecutive sell-out games — a record previously held by the Portland Trail Blazers.  

1. Truist Field

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Team: Charlotte Knights (AAA)

Affiliate: Chicago White Sox

Built: March 22, 2014

Capacity: 10,200

Truist Field used to be known as BB&T Ballpark, but changed its name after BB&T merged with SunTrust. It features skyline views, two-level club seats, a VIP club, 975 club seats, and 22 luxury suites. Make sure you bring your glove because it’s known for its high home run rate.

If you want to feel like you’re watching baseball in the middle of a bustling city, then Truist Park is the ballpark for you. It has an amazing atmosphere, beyond delicious food, and an excited crowd that brings everything full circle. If you haven’t visit it yet, do so as soon as possible. 

Have You Visited Any of the Best Minor League Ballparks?

Now that you have a good idea of what some of the best minor league ballparks are, the real question is how many of them have you already visited? Better yet, which ones are you already planning on visiting in the near future? Honestly, your goal should be to visit every single one!

Baseball isn’t the most physical or violent sport, but it’s one of the most relaxing sports to watch and has its fair share of excitement as big plays and big home runs happen frequently. You never really know what you’re going to witness at the best minor league ballparks in the country.

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The best is when you get to witness an MLB player that’s on assignment, either due to an injury or poor performance in the big leagues. It’s always interesting to see some of the best players in the world compete on a smaller stage, especially since it’s cheaper than an MLB ticket.

Top 15 Biggest College Football Stadiums

Did you know that the biggest college football stadiums in the country can seat more fans than an NFL stadium? It might surprise a lot of people, but there are real, practical, and logical reasons why – for example, college games are less expensive and usually draw a larger crowd.

With that said, it hasn’t always been this way. The first ever college football game, which is also considered the first ever American football game, was played between Rutgers and New Jersey in 1869. The game drew a crowd of about 100 spectators. From there, football was born.

If you fast forward 150+ years to 2022, college football has come a long way and so have the stadiums they play in. In fact, the eight biggest college football stadiums can each hold a capacity of at least 100,000 spectators. That’s 1,000 times the amount of spectators in 1869.

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What Are the Biggest College Football Stadiums?

Top 15 Biggest College Football Stadiums
Katherine Wells / Shutterstuck

The biggest college football stadiums are also some of the most historical and recognizable football stadiums in the world. A lot of them have been around for 80-100 years, though they’ve been renovated, updated, and modernized since then. Still, their charm and history lives on.

There are two conferences that are home to a majority of the biggest college football stadiums – the SEC and Big Ten. Looking at the top-15 biggest college football stadiums, five of them are in the Big Ten and seven are in the SEC. The Big-12, Pac-12, and ACC have the other three. 

Other interesting things to note include the fact that Texas and Alabama are the only states with multiple stadiums in the top-15. Only five of them feature a turf field, while the other 10 utilize grass. And now for the moment you’ve been waiting for, let’s take a look at that coveted top-15.

15. Camp Randall Stadium

Camp Randall Stadium is located in Madison, Wisconsin and is home to the Wisconsin Badgers (University of Wisconsin). The stadium was built in 1917 with a capacity of just under 12,000 spectators. Today, after numerous expansions and renovations, the capacity sits at 80,321 fans.

The stadium originally featured grass, but changed to AstroTurf in 1968 and FieldTurf in 2003. Two years later, the stadium welcomed a record 83,184 fans against Iowa. As the fifth-oldest college football stadium in the nation, there’s a lot of history inside Camp Randall Stadium. 

14. Frank Howard Field at Clemson Memorial Stadium

Clemson Memorial Stadium is located in Clemson, South Carolina and is home to the Clemson Tigers (Clemson University). The actual playing field was named Frank Howard Field after a legendary Clemson coach, but many have dubbed the field ‘Death Valley’ through the years. 

The stadium was built in 1942 with a capacity of 20,500 fans. Today, the stadium holds 81,500 fans and welcomed a record 86,092 in 1999. Instead of natural grass, the field features Tifway 419 Bermuda Grass (a grass field). The architects were Carl Lee and Professor H.E. Glenn

13. Memorial Stadium, Tom Osborne Field

Memorial Stadium is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and is home to the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The playing field was named Tom Osborne Field after a legendary head coach, but many people have dubbed it the ‘Sea of Red’ through the years. 

The stadium was built in 1923 and holds a capacity of 85,458 spectators – it welcomed a record 91,585 fans in 2014. It features a TurfField and the student section is known as ‘The Boneyard.’ The architects behind the original design were John Latenser Sr. and Sons, and Davis & Wilson.

12. Pat Dye Field at Jordan–Hare Stadium

Jordan-Hare Stadium is located in Auburn, Alabama and is home to the Auburn Tigers of Auburn University. The playing field was named Pat Dye Field in honor of a legendary coach and athletic director at the school. The field features Tifway 419 Bermuda Grass, much like Clemson. 

The stadium was originally built in 1939 and has a capacity of 87,451 fans. The architects behind the original design were Warren, Knight, and Davis. To many college football schools, Pat Dye Field is an intimidating place to play and is one of the best college gameday atmospheres.

11. Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is located in Gainesville, Florida and is home to the Florida Gators of the University of Florida. The playing field used to be named Florida Field, but they renamed it Steve Spurrier-Florida Field in honor of their legendary coach. The stadium officially opened in 1930. 

Although it originally had a capacity of 21,769 fans, it can hold a whopping 88,548 fans today and welcomed a record 90,916 fans in 2015. The architect behind the original design was Rudolph Weaver. Many fans refer to the stadium as ‘The Swamp’ and it’s the largest stadium in Florida.

10. Rose Bowl Stadium

Rose Bowl Stadium is located in Pasadena, California and is home to the UCLA Bruins of the University of California, Los Angeles. It’s not just one of the most recognizable and historic stadiums in the world, but it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. 

The stadium opened in 1922 and has a capacity of 90,888 fans – though it welcomed a record 106,869 fans during the 1979 Rose Bowl game. It features a grass surface and the architect was Myron Hunt. The stadium has also hosted the World Cup Final and several Super Bowls.

9. Dooley Field at Stanford Stadium

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Sanford Stadium is located in Athens, Georgia and is home to the Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia. The playing field is named Dooley Field in honor of former head coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. Many fans refer to the stadium as ‘Between the Hedges.’

The stadium broke ground in 1928 and opened with an original capacity of 30,000 fans. That number has tripled over the years and now holds a capacity of 92,745 fans – it welcomed a record 93,246 fans in 2019. The playing surface features Tifton 419 Bermuda Grass. 

8. Bryant-Denny Stadium

Bryant-Denny Stadium is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and is home to the Alabama Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama. It was originally named Denny Stadium after former school president George H. Denny, but they added coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant to the name in 1975.

The stadium was built in 1928 and has a capacity of 100,077 fans – it welcomed 101,821 fans on several different occasions. The playing surface used to be grass and while they switched to AstroTurf in 1968, they switched back to grass in 1991. It is perhaps the toughest place to win.

7. Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, commonly referred to as DKR, is located in Austin, Texas and is home to the Texas Longhorns of the University of Texas. It used to be called Texas Memorial Stadium, but they added legendary coach Darrell K Royal to the name in 1996. 

The stadium was built in 1924 and has a capacity of 100,119 fans – it welcomed a record 103,507 fans in 2018. The original architect behind the design was Herbert M. Greene. The playing surface features FieldTurf, though it used to feature natural grass and artificial turf.

6. Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is home to the LSU Tigers of Louisiana State University. The stadium is often referred to as ‘The Bayou’ by fans and opponents. The playing surface features Celebration Bermuda Grass, similar to Tifton 419 Bermuda Grass. 

The stadium was built in 1924 and has a capacity of 102,321 fans. It served as a temporary home field for the New Orleans Saints during Hurricane Katrina. The original architects of the stadium were Wogan and Bernard, with Trahan Architects spearheading the renovations.

5. Neyland Stadium

Neyland Stadium is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and is home to the Tennessee Volunteers of the University of Tennessee. It was originally known as Shields-Watkins field, but the name was changed in 1963 to honor legendary head coach Robert Neyland, who had a 173-31-12. 

The stadium was built in 1921, making it the ninth oldest college football stadium. It has a capacity of 102,455 fans, but welcomed a record 109,061 fans in 2004. The playing surface was originally grass and while they used turf from 1968-1993, they switched back to grass in 1994.

4. Kyle Field

Kyle Field is located in College Station, Texas and is home to the Texas A&M Aggies of Texas A&M University. It was built in 1927 with a capacity of just over 32,000 spectators. Today, the stadium holds 102,733 fans and welcomed a record 110,633 fans vs. Ole Miss in 2014.

The stadium is often referred to as the ‘Home of the 12th Man,’ since they refer to their students as the 12th Man. It was officially named ‘Kyle Field’ in 1956 in honor of E.J. Kyle, a former graduate and professor. It features an impressive 163 feet wide by 47 feet high scoreboard. 

3. Ohio Stadium

Ohio Stadium is located in Columbus, Ohio and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes of Ohio State University. It has a variety of nicknames, including ‘The Shoe,’ ‘The Horseshoe,’ and ‘The House That Harley Built.’ It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The stadium broke ground in 1921 and opened the following year – the original architect was Howard Dwight Smith, a graduate of USU. It has a capacity of 102,780 fans, but welcomed a record 110,045 in 2016. It originally featured natural grass, but today features FieldTurf. 

2. Beaver Stadium

Beaver Stadium is located in University Park, Pennsylvania and is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions of Pennsylvania State University. The stadium is named after James A. Beaver, a former PA governor, president of Penn State’s board of trustees, and native of the town. 

The stadium was built in 1960, which is much later than most of the biggest college football stadiums on this list. It has a capacity of 106,572 fans and welcomed a record 110,899 fans in 2018. Michael Baker Jr., Inc. was the original architect, but HOK Sport did the 2001 renovations.

1. Michigan Stadium

Michigan Stadium is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is home to the Michigan Wolverines of the University of Michigan. Many fans and students refer to the stadium as ‘The Big House,’ largely due to it being the biggest college football stadium in the nation. It holds a lot of people.

The stadium was built in 1927 with 72,000 spectators, which was big compared to other stadiums of that era. Today, it holds a whopping 107,601 fans and welcomed a record 115,109 fans against Notre Dame in 2013. The architect behind this design was Bernard L. Green.

Comparing the Biggest College Football Stadiums to the NFL

As we learned from above, eight of the biggest college football stadiums have a capacity of more than 100,00 fans, but how many NFL stadiums can say the same? It might surprise you, but none. In fact, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is the biggest with a capacity of 82,500. 

There are three other NFL stadiums that have a capacity above 80,000. FedExField in Maryland holds 82,000, Lambeau Field in Wisconsin holds 81,444, and AT&T Stadium in Texas holds 80,000 spectators. Soldier Field in Chicago holds the least amount of people at 61,500 fans.

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There are a variety of reasons why college stadiums tend to be larger than NFL stadiums. For example, students are usually allowed in for free or at a discount, meaning college games bring in larger crowds. Since NFL teams want to sell their games out, they lower the capacity.

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