What’s your favorite college football stadium?
The Athletic’s college football staff voted on a top 25, and it generated plenty of discussion. So what happens when readers vote?
Well, the results end up similar. Except at the very top.
Whereas LSU was a clear No. 1 in our staff list, the highest proportion of readers — who were asked to submit up to 10 favorites, in any order — chose Notre Dame Stadium, which just barely edged the Big House at Michigan and Death Valley at LSU.
Here is The Athletic readers’ top 10, with some notable commentary from our survey included for each. At the bottom, we’ve also included select cases for some other favorites around the country.
“If there’s any stadium that encompasses the spirit of college football over that of the corporate dollar, it’s Notre Dame Stadium.” — Jason Z.
“It encapsulates everything there is about attending a college football game in the fall — a cool chill in the air, traditions, iconic imagery, intensity and passion.” — Robert N.
“The house that Rockne Built. Modern because of the renovation, but still has that old-school charm. They attached a student center and classrooms to the stadium, so it feels like part of the campus. Touchdown Jesus, the Basilica and the Golden Dome in the background — you can’t top that!” — Anthony
“The thing that gets lost (but is probably intentional from suits) in building these massive new age stadiums is that the ‘nosebleeds’ have essentially no value. At Notre Dame, there is literally no bad seat in the house, with the traditional bowl structure they have. Touchdown Jesus in the background, a nice October wind, and the light bouncing off of the golden dome helmets is perfect stuff. The only argument against it is that they use turf instead of grass these days.” — Stephen
“It is more than a stadium. It is more than a venue in which to watch football. It is the entire vibe of college football rolled into one spot. It is an experience. The pageantry, the customs and the overall tone of gameday in South Bend is unlike anything else.” — Kyle
“Beautiful brick facades match the campus style. The stadium is tucked into a real neighborhood, which amps up the college (vs. pro) feel, and being dug into a hillside gives it a ‘bigger on the inside’ feel that, along with the always massive crowd, never fails to impress when you enter the bowl.” — Michael L.
“Massive stadium, great atmosphere and fans, located right in town with houses across the street. Doesn’t look gigantic from the outside, but when you walk in at row 78 and look down, you realize why it is called the Big House.” — Rick
“The tailgating scene on the golf course and around campus is unmatched. You can only really see the skyboxes and scoreboards from the outside. Once you actually enter the stadium, it just opens to a huge pit of humanity — just an awesome sight.” — Ronnie M.
“Nothing beats the Big House on a Saturday. You walk up to it and wonder what the fuss is about and then you get inside it and it’s heaven. The roar of the crowd and the biggest crowd in college football every week.” — Mike G.
“I’m an Alabama grad, but LSU’s Tiger Stadium is the best. Forget the wild tailgating; inside the stadium is a spectacle of sights and sounds, really loud sounds! Something about the shape of the stadium, all the cheers with the band — Saturday night in Death Valley is something all college football fans should witness in person.” — Matt L.
“It is not a stadium, it is a portal to another world. The smells, sounds, sensations and storied past all create an unforgettable experience.” — Mitch M.
“I have been pretty much everywhere in the SEC more than once, but your first experience at LSU under the lights is something you don’t forget.” — Glenn
“Nothing compares to a night game in Death Valley. Great food — friendly fans will give you a plate of jambalaya and a cold beer. Raucous, loud, rowdy game experience.” — Rich
“LSU is unique with Mike the Tiger, more noise than ears can take, the smell of great cooking in the air and intimidation of visiting teams and fans.” — Rudy Q.
“The bucolic location and setting on the edge of a town in the geographical center of Pennsylvania. A college town in the very sense of the word. A land grant university, the town is the college. The fans come from every direction to create a glorious gathering. The tailgating, the electricity and the singularity of purpose among a commonwealth.” — Mike S.
“Have attended games at 20 of the 25 selected by The Athletic’s staff. Been to many in the SEC multiple times, but my favorite would be Beaver Stadium. Size, friendly fans, pregame atmosphere and enthusiasm inside the stadium earn my top vote. Just wish they would find a way to get the traffic out postgame!” — Dwight
“I’ve only been once, but a home game at Beaver has to be seen to be believed. A small city appears almost overnight around the stadium, campers as far as you can see, students camping out for an entire week to get in. The fan support and interaction during the entire game is more on par with European football than American. Unbelievable place.” — Ryan S.
“Penn State has a vibe like no place else. It’s what college football utopia would look like if you asked AI to create it.” — Chris B.
“Perfect blend of history, architecture, environment, atmosphere, size, enthusiasm and success.” — John L.
“Yes it’s big, yes it’s loud, but it’s also incredibly beautiful. Over 100 years ago, when every large stadium was simply a hole in the ground (Yale Bowl, Michigan Stadium), the architect for the Horseshoe took his inspiration from classical architecture in Rome. Using concrete at the time was considered risky, but the design is gorgeous and is a modern marvel. The rotunda is beautiful, and the size looms over you as you approach it.” — Patrick
“It’s the cathedral of football, complete with stained glass in the rotunda. There are the traditions with the band and a timelessness about the place. Unlike the large stadiums in the South, it still pretty much looks as it did a hundred years ago.” — Steve
“Tennessee fans are crazy enough without an intimidating, chamber-of-horrors-designed stadium to amplify the craziness even further. But that’s what Neyland Stadium is — iconic, overwhelming, intense and just plain LOUD. Then you add in the setting, the river, the VOLS sign at the top and everything else — there’s nothing like it in the sport.” — Matt M.
“Tennessee in the fall is beautiful. The Volunteer Navy creates an interesting scene, and the bright orange pops in the fall foliage.” — Jared J.
“It just keeps going up and up and from the field all you can see is blue sky. And when the team is good and ‘Rocky Top’ is blaring, it feels like the best atmosphere. Respect from a rival SEC fan.” — Kyle A.
“Nothing like tailgating on a golf course enjoying great SoCal weather, but when you do enter the stadium you’re treated to beautiful views of the San Gabriel Mountains (especially in the evening around sunset).” — Tom H.
“The history and setting just can’t be touched.” — Cory B.
“If there’s a more beautiful setting, I’d like to see it.” — Ken C.
“Not a bad seat in the stadium, and there is nothing like tailgating on the golf course before kickoff. Plus, have you seen the view?” — Colt B.
“Husky Stadium is a one–of-a-kind setting where you can watch a great college game and at the same time look out on Lake Washington and all of the boats sailgating as well as the Cascades Range. Just beautiful.” — Mike D.
“Breakfast at Chinooks, riding the Dawg Boat through Lake Union and then The Cut, walking up the dock past the Big Dawg docked there and then up the ramps to your seat, stopping to look out over Lake Washington with Mt. Rainier in the distance — there’s nothing like a game at Husky Stadium.” — Terence
“Being right on Lake Washington, with views of Mt. Rainier, mixed with an electric and surprisingly loud crowd is a fun mixture.” — D Mac
“I am an Arizona State fan. I’ve been to games at 36 stadiums across nine conferences, including the entire former Pac-12. Autzen Stadium is my favorite stadium. I’ve been three times, and after my first time I knew I had to return for a game that didn’t involve my team so I could take in all its majesty. It starts with the walk from town to the stadium. There is no finer walk on an autumn day than through the woods and over a river before the stadium and tailgating spectacle is laid before your eyes. Inside the stadium the sight lines are flawless, the crowd is loud and I cannot stop myself (even when I’m there as a visiting fan) from yelling at the top of my lungs, ‘DUCK ON MOTORCYCLE!!’ It truly never rains at Autzen Stadium.