Favourite stadia in the league ...

[Draconator]

Both of these stadiums are no longer around, but I was at Candlestick to see Bill's 49ers and Jack Murphy in San Diego to see Bills Chargers. Candlestick was good. Loud crowd, good energy but hell getting in and out. Jack Murphy was far better. Not really any bad seats, plenty of parking in a large mixed use area. And I got to see Drew Brees with the Chargers. The most accurate passer I have ever seen live. 

[Augie]

 

I vote for a stadium where you can roll your own keg in! The Rockpile!

 

I love the Ralph, of course. The others I’ve been to have all had their own strengths and weaknesses. Lambeau is the most unique, just sitting in the middle of a residential neighborhood. There is something cool about that entire experience with everybody parking and tailgating in front yards. Signs reading “Park and Pee $30!”  

 

I like Nashville because I’ve been to a bunch of games there and the pedestrian bridge over the river is awesome. The stadium was nothing special, but did not seem to be in need of replacement by any means, but this is Nashville. They can fill a new palace, and they can justify the dome for other events. 

 

Of places I have not been but would like to go, I think I’d have Denver and Minneapolis at the top of that list. Does the Vikings dome still feel like a dome? 

[Prospector]

The Raiders have a really fun stadium

[BRH]

2 hours ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Sometime these great new stadiums don't work out as planned.  Example is Jerry's House.

 

I went there when it was first built and yes it is impressive but going in there was like hanging into an airport hangar, it was "too big".  Most cowboys fans are dead and this bog open space didn't make it acoustically impressive at all.  In fact, mot of the game I ended up watching the game on their massive overhead screens,  No who wants to go to a quiet game and to watch the game from a screen?

At least the screens are big.  The old Texas Stadium had the same fan energy and teeny-tiny screens in the corners.  Growing up and seeing the Cowboys on tv seemingly every week back in the ‘70s, I was expecting a lot more than I found.  It might be the worst of the ones I’ve been to in terms of ambience and energy. 

[fergie's ire]

Not sure if anyone else mentioned it, but nice job on the Latin plural.  Well done, sir.

[Let's Go Buffalo]

I've only been to Highmark, Arrowhead, and Mile High.....so not a lot. I have some relatives that live in Green Bay, and want to visit Lambeau eventually.... but I like ours.....probably a little bias there!

[bearstobills]

3 hours ago, stevens273 said:

Was at SoFi Saturday night. Absolutely gorgeous. The Chargers production was not great. Very few replays on the 360 video screen. PA announcer sucked. Never mentioned a Bills player by name. 
I hope the Rams do a much better job. 
 

I agree completely.  The wi-fi was awful also.  The Bills would get a sack, and I'd have no idea who.  But my biggest complaint was how far away from the action I felt.  I was in the top deck, but only the 3rd row.  There were at least 30 rows behind me.  The players looked tiny.  Yes, it's stunning architecturally, but I found myself thinking bout the new place.  I think they'll get it right. 

[Billzgobowlin]

I've been to

Philly

Tennessee

Washington

New Orleans

Cleveland

Cincinnati

Buffalo

Jacksonville

Miami

Tampa

Carolina

New York

 

New York and Buffalo were my favorites, Washington, Cleveland and Jacksonville were my least favorite

[Bill Grundy]

Thanks for the insights, folks. It really gives me a feel for things. 

[Capco]

6 hours ago, Bill Grundy said:

Was wondering ... 

 

As an overseas tellyclapper, I don't get much access to the reality of football in the States. I only get access to the TV production. And I know from the sports I attend over here that this production can often have little in common with the actual game-going experience itself. 

 

So, for those of you who travel to road games, which are the best / worst stadia in the league? Are there some that you look forward to visiting, some that have more soul than others, some that you just hate? Some that surprised you?

 

I was at Tottenham this year.  Which I thought worked really well as an NFL ground, tbh (whereas Wembley doesn't) and if the Bills are basing the new one on that, it's quite exciting. 

 

But it has always seemed to me that Rich Stadium - or whatever it's called this week - is one of the very best in the league. But then I love old stadia. and find, say, the Texans or Cards stadia seem to be big and corporate but lacking in character somewhat. 

 

Anyway, just interested. Any views?

I totally missed the memo that the plural of stadium is stadia and suddenly feel very dumb lol.  

[May Day 10]

I haven't been to any except for Highmark.

 

I can't imagine there is a better atmosphere and venue in the nfl for my needs and wants.  No nonsense, low frills venue with great sight lines.  Only purpose is football spectating.  The crowd is entirely blue collar.  Parking in and habitating a neighborhood is also great.  It's a unique and rare environment we have.  "College atmosphere" can't be said enough.  

[Bill Grundy]

49 minutes ago, Capco said:

I totally missed the memo that the plural of stadium is stadia and suddenly feel very dumb lol.  

 

both are acceptable; especially on internet fora

Edited December 26, 2023 by Bill Grundy

[klos63]

2 hours ago, bearstobills said:

I agree completely.  The wi-fi was awful also.  The Bills would get a sack, and I'd have no idea who.  But my biggest complaint was how far away from the action I felt.  I was in the top deck, but only the 3rd row.  There were at least 30 rows behind me.  The players looked tiny.  Yes, it's stunning architecturally, but I found myself thinking bout the new place.  I think they'll get it right. 

I just received a survey from the Chargers today about my experience at the game. Gave everything glowing reviews except for the music and lack of replays.  With all of that screen space, you'd think that they would overwhelm you with replays.

28 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

I haven't been to any except for Highmark.

 

I can't imagine there is a better atmosphere and venue in the nfl for my needs and wants.  No nonsense, low frills venue with great sight lines.  Only purpose is football spectating.  The crowd is entirely blue collar.  Parking in and habitating a neighborhood is also great.  It's a unique and rare environment we have.  "College atmosphere" can't be said enough.  

I know doctors and lawyers... that attend Bills games. Not blue collar. Either way, it's not a good or a bad thing. Who cares what job they have or what their income is. They're fans.

Edited December 26, 2023 by klos63

[LABILLBACKER]

5 hours ago, Stevie Ray said:

LOL, agreed. I was at the game and was laughing at the 3rd down "noise" coming from the PA system as opposed to the smattering of Charger fans in the house.

That giant wrap around jumbo-tron or whatever they call it is also a giant speaker. The Charger fans were hardly making any authentic noise so SoFi and their engineers simply turn up the volume so loud you need earplugs.  In fact every guest service station hands out free earplugs.  The 300 section is the worst because you're facing directly in front of the 260 speakers. 

 

And as others have accurately stated, last Saturdays game showed not one Bills fan or Bills player during any part of the game. Not even the National Anthem. It was a very wierd and annoying experience. The stadium is also very steep so don't rise up too quickly. 

Edited December 27, 2023 by LABILLBACKER

[Beast]

4 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

I think I've been to about 9 different NFL stadiums.  I would say my favorites are probably Lambeau and Arrowhead but I've always been an old school football kinda guy so I'm more about character and history than bells and whistles.  Denver's stadium was also pretty cool 

The Lambeau experience is top notch. 

[RiotAct]

11 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

 

And as others have accurately stated, last Saturdays game showed not one Bills fan or Bills player during any part of the game. Not even the National Anthem. It was a very wierd and annoying experience. 

 Credit to the stadium cameramen/women for managing that!

[LABILLBACKER]

4 hours ago, Einstein said:

You sure this happened? Because it's illegal under NFL rules.

The Falcons even lost a draft pick for doing it...

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/atlanta-falcons-lose-2016-pick-for-pumping-fake-noise-0ap3000000482500

Yeah I'm pretty sure my eardrums will attest to it.  Even consession stand people couldn't hear the orders. When you spend 5 large for a stadium I'm sure they cut a deal with the NFL or some work around. 

 

32 minutes ago, klos63 said:

I just received a survey from the Chargers today about my experience at the game. Gave everything glowing reviews except for the music and lack of replays.  With all of that screen space, you'd think that they would overwhelm you with replays.

I know doctors and lawyers... that attend Bills games. Not blue collar. Either way, it's not a good or a bad thing. Who cares what job they have or what their income is. They're fans.

Wow, that another thing....no replays the whole game...SoFi food is also pretty bad.

Edited December 27, 2023 by LABILLBACKER

[LABILLBACKER]

2 hours ago, bearstobills said:

I agree completely.  The wi-fi was awful also.  The Bills would get a sack, and I'd have no idea who.  But my biggest complaint was how far away from the action I felt.  I was in the top deck, but only the 3rd row.  There were at least 30 rows behind me.  The players looked tiny.  Yes, it's stunning architecturally, but I found myself thinking bout the new place.  I think they'll get it right. 

I was in Sec 346 and I felt I was a mile up. Wish I had binocs?

[BillsPride12]

40 minutes ago, Beast said:

The Lambeau experience is top notch. 

Completely agree.  That's the one stadium that should be a bucket list trip for all football fans.  The tour and Museum inside the stadium were great too.  

[Beast]

Just now, BillsPride12 said:

Completely agree.  That's the one stadium that should be a bucket list trip for all football fans.  The tour and Museum inside the stadium were great too.  

The steakhouse was awesome!