10 Smallest NFL Stadiums: 2023 Edition
What are the smallest NFL stadiums? These buildings are home to some of the greatest sports teams in America but are they big enough?
Smallest NFL Stadiums
Stadiums are a fortress for NFL teams with bigger and intimidating crowds giving teams a competitive advantage. We take a look at the 10 smallest NFL stadiums by capacity and whether they are big enough.
10. Gillette Stadium (65,878)
Since opening in 2002 Gillette Stadium has played host to the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era, with the best quarterback of all-time Brady helping to create a Patriots dynasty during that time. It’s no surprise then that Gillette Stadium has sold out every home game including all regular season, playoff and even preseason games since opening.
At a cost of $325 million Gillette Stadium was completely funded by Robert Kraft, a rare feat in this day and age. And despite being one of the smallest NFL stadiums with a capacity under 66,000, Gillette Stadium doesn’t show its age. Renovations totalling $225 million were completed prior to the 2023 NFL season opener meaning that the Patriots are comfortable with the stadium's capacity for now.
9. U.S. Bank Stadium (66,655)
The U.S Bank Stadium was one of the first futuristic stadiums to be built, setting a trend and baseline in the NFL for how new stadiums should be built. The home of the Minnesota Vikings, it’s one of the most impressive looking buildings, is the second best NFL stadium and has a capacity of 66,655.
Inspired by Nordic architecture, the stadium features pointed design elements and is mostly wrapped in reflective glass material. The Vikings had a 14-year sellout streak at the old Metrodome that ended in 2012. Whether U.S. Bank Stadium is big enough is questionable, as the the Vikings have sold out every game since its opening day in 2016.
8. Paycor Stadium (65,515)
Originally known as Paul Brown Stadium, Paycor Stadium opened in 2000 and is the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals had a sellout streak that lasted a franchise-record breaking 57 games between 2003 and 2010.
Tickets sellout very quickly for high profile games especially against their biggest NFL rivals in the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is a history of the Bengals not being able to sell all tickets to games so Paycor Stadium's capacity of 65,515 seems just about right.
7. Hard Rock Stadium (65,326)
Seventh on the list of smallest NFL stadiums is Miami Dolphins'. The Dolphins are one of the best attended teams by percentage, and they sold out their 2022 season ticket allotment for the first time ever on the back of their aggressive offseason recruiting superstars.
Opening in 1987, Hard Rock Stadium had major renovations completed in time for the 2016 season with a feature open-air canopy built over the main seating areas. When the Dolphins play well they typically sell out. During the bad times however, the empty seats are painfully obvious. A capacity of 65,326 is enough for the Dolphins.
6. Ford Field (65,000)
The Detroit Lions once called the Silverdome home which was at one stage the biggest NFL stadium. The Lions now play at the 65,000-seat Ford Field which is one of the smallest NFL stadiums. Opening in 2002, Ford Field had a sellout streak that ended in 2008 when Detroit becoming the worst NFL team in history.
When the Lions are going well games often sell out. For the first time in Ford Field’s history, all season tickets have been sold and there’s much hype surrounding the team and quarterback Jared Goff.
5. Allegiant Stadium (65,000)
Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020 and has been home to the Las Vegas Raiders following relocation from Oakland. It cost almost $2 billion to complete, is one of the smallest NFL stadiums with a capacity of 65,000, and will host Super Bowl LVIII.
Personal Seat Licenses (PSL) were offered for between $500 and $75,000 each seat before Allegiant Stadium had opened. PSL’s enable individuals to purchase season tickets for Raiders games and around 30% were bought by individuals outside of Las Vegas. That, in addition to Vegas being an entertainment city has made Allegiant Stadium tickets the most expensive on the secondary market.
4. State Farm Stadium (63,400)
Home of the Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium has the fourth smallest NFL stadium capacity with 63,400 seats. Opening in 2006, the field can literally move as it sits on a tray. It can be retracted in as little ast one hour to transform the stadium into a multi-use facility, and also allows for the natural grass to sit in the sun.
Every Cardinals’ home game at State Farm Stadium has sold out since 2006 and away fans generally turn up in great numbers too. The stadium can expand to 72,200 seats for “mega events” and to 78,600 with standing room allocation.
3. Lucas Oil Stadium (63,000)
Lucas Oil Stadium is one of the best looking stadiums thanks to the large retractable window on the northeastern side. Home of the Indianapolis Colts since 2008, it has a capacity of 63,000 and can be expanded to 70,000 for big events.
Games sellout when the Colts are in form and against their biggest rivals. Lucas Oil Stadium average crowds have sat slightly below the maximum capacity so the 63,000 seats seems just about right for Indianapolis.
2. FexExField (62,000)
The Washington Commanders have been playing out of FedExField since 1997 and up until 2010 it was the biggest NFL stadium with a capacity of 91,000 seats. Now one of the smallest NFL stadiums with a capacity of 62,000, it's showing its age with infrastructure problems ranging from leaking pipes to collapsed railings.
FedExField is the consensus worst stadium in the NFL. The Commanders lease is set to end in 2027 and they'll be looking to build a brand new stadium as soon as possible.
1. Soldier Field (61,500)
Opened in 1924 and reconstructed in 2003, Soldier Field has served as the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) since 1971 and is the oldest stadium in the league. With a capacity of 61,500, Soldier Field is also the smallest NFL stadium.
Fans hate Soldier Field because of its horrible parking, lack of bathrooms, its small number of gates and are critical of the 2003 renovations. Like the Commanders, the Bears will be looking for a new stadium at the time the lease expires in 2033, or can break the lease at a cost of $84 million.
