As the National Football League was growing, it was common for teams to share stadiums with Major League Baseball teams. This is no longer the case, with the then Oakland Raiders being the final team to leave a ballpark-based stadium. The Raiders shared with the Oakland Athletics until the 2020 season. Today, every NFL team has it’s own designated facility.
The majority of NFL stadiums have gone through renovations over the years to improve facilities. Particularly for the older stadiums in the NFL. With that, let’s take a look at the ten oldest NFL stadiums throughout the NFL.
10. M&T Bank Stadium (1998) – Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium is the home to the Baltimore Ravens, located in Baltimore, Maryland. The stadium opened in 1998, with a seating capacity of 70,745.
“The Bank”, as they refer to it in Baltimore, is a natural grass field opposed to turf.
M&T Stadium is beside the stadium of the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB , Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
9. FedEx Field (1997) – Washington Commanders
FedEx Field is home to the Washington Commanders located in Summerfield, Maryland. Formerly, the Commanders played under the team name the Redskins.
From 2004 to 2010, FedEx Field had the largest seating capacity in the NFL at a staggering 91,000 capacity. In 2022, that capacity was reduced after renovations brought it down to 67,617.
FedEx Field is a natural grass field opposed to turf. However, has faced many backlashes around the NFL for it’s poor playing conditions.
8. Bank Of America Stadium (1996) – Carolina Panthers
Bank Of America Stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers located in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.
This stadium seating capacity of 74,867. Something that makes this stadium unique is the vibrant color of the seats. They are majority light blue, with some being light grey, matching the Panthers jersey colors.
Bank Of America uses a turf surface instead of natural grass which is referred to as FieldTurf Pro.
7. TIAA Bank Field (1995) – Jacksonville Jaguars
TIAA Bank Field is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars located in central Jacksonville, Florida. From 2010 to 2018, the name of the stadium was best known as EverBank Field.
TIAA Bank seats a capacity of 67,814, but is expandable to 82,000. The Jaguars also play on natural grass.
This stadium has hosted one Super Bowl, back in 2005. Another event hosted at TIAA Bank stadium is the annual college football rivalry game between Florida and Georgia.
6. Hard Rock Stadium (1987) – Miami Dolphins
Hard Rock Stadium is a multi-purpose facility home to the Miami Dolphins since 1987, located in Miami Gardens, Florida
The seating capacity is 64,767, but is adjusted for other events. An example is when hosting tennis tournaments, the capacity is reduced to 14,000.
Hard Rock Stadium is equipped with a natural grass field, and has hosted six Super Bowls in it’s history.
5. Caesars Superdome (1975) – New Orleans Saints
Caesars Superdome, formally known as Mercedes-Benz Superdome, has been home to the New Orleans Saints since 1975. The superdome is located in the business district of New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Superdome has become a marquee stadium around sports. It has become notorious for hosting many major sporting events. It has hosted seven Super Bowls, as well as what will be it’s eighth time hosting when the Super Bowl returns in 2025.
Another major event hosted at the Caesars Superdome is for the College Football Playoffs. Every year on New Years Day, what is called the Sugar Bowl, has been hosted in New Orleans since they opened in 1975.
The seating capacity for the stadium is 73,208, expandable to 76,468, with a turf playing surface.
4. Highmark Stadium (1973) – Buffalo Bills
Highmark Stadium has been home to the Buffalo Bills since 1973, located in Orchard Park, New York. You can find this stadium in the South of Buffalo’s metropolitan area.
The stadium has gone through a number of name changes since opening, but before Highmark Stadium it was known as New Era Field from 2016 to 2019.
The seating capacity of Highmark Stadium is 71,608, equipped with a turf playing surface.
3. Arrowhead Stadium (1972) – Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium has been home to the Kansas City Chiefs since 1972, located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Technically, the name of the stadium due to a rights deal in 2021, is GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Everyone refers to it however as Arrowhead.
Along with Bank Of America Stadium in Carolina, the seat colors being a vibrant red make Arrowhead a unique experience.
Arrowhead has a seating capacity of 76,416, making it the 27th largest stadium in the United States. On top of that, the six largest stadium capacity wise in the NFL.
2. Lambeau Field (1957) – Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field is an iconic outdoor athletic stadium located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Green Bay Packers have played at Lambeau Field since 1957.
With a capacity of 81,441, Lambeau Field is the fifth largest stadium in the NFL with standing room. For normal capacity, Lambeau Field is the third largest.
Lambeau Field is pure natural grass, and offers the most unique in-person football experience throughout the NFL. The consistent bowl shape of the stands is like nothing else in the league.
1. Soldier Field (1924) – Chicago Bears
Soldier Field is home to the Chicago Bears located in the South side of Chicago, Illinois.
The Chicago Bears have played at Soldier Field since 1971. Opening in 1924, Soldier Field went under much needed renovations in 2003.
The seating capacity is only 61,500, making it the smallest NFL stadium in the league.
Soldier Field originally used turf as a playing surface, but changed to natural grass for the 2022 season.
The NFL is an expanding league, constantly growing with every season. As the game continues to grow, you will see higher quality NFL stadiums across the United States. What we think of when we hear NFL stadiums will drastically change throughout the coming years.
While innovation and technology are needed to grow the sport, it’s nice to look back at what got us to where we are now.
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