From the Friday night lights at America's high schools to the college-dominated play of Saturday afternoons, not to mention NFL mania on Sundays, football season is in full swing. If you're a football fan, a weekend getaway might include game attendance at one of these five stadiums. You'll find sublime scenery, solid tradition, 100,000 fans or some combination of it all.
Football season is in full swing. See these top 5 stadiums. — Damian Strohmeyer/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
1. Lambeau Field (aka "The Frozen Tundra"), Green Bay, Wis.
The Green Bay Packers have called Lambeau Field home since 1957, making for one of the longest tenancies in the NFL (it's also the second-oldest stadium in the league, after Soldier Field in Chicago). It's very much hallowed ground: The stadium itself is named for longtime Packers coach Earl Louis "Curly" Lambeau, and the street it's on is named for the legendary Vince Lombardi. Don't miss the bronze statues of both legends on the grounds.
2. Michigan Stadium ("The Big House"), Ann Arbor, Mich.
The nickname is spot-on: The home of the University of Michigan Wolverines has drawn crowds of 100,000 for more than 200 games running. Although the country's largest stadium has a capacity of 109,901 — and can host crowds of more than 114,000 in a pinch — coach and athletic director Fielding Yost originally envisioned room for 150,000. Built in 1927 for $950,000, the stadium underwent a massive renovation in 2010. The budget was a tad higher this time: a cool $226 million.
3. Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.
The University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish play in a stadium that was built of more than 2 million bricks in 1930. Head coach Knute Rockne wanted the stands close to the field — and they are. The now legendary stadium's best-known feature might be "The Word of Life," a mosaic mural popularly known as "Touchdown Jesus." Emblazoned on a nearby campus library, it's clearly visible from the stadium, its subject's arms permanently raised as if signaling a touchdown.
Next page: See the loudest stadium, as well as the most scenic. »
Tell Us WhatYou Think
Please leave your comment below.
You must be signed in to comment.
Sign In | RegisterMore comments »