Where you play has just as much importance as who you play. NFL stadiums across the country are (mostly) world-class buildings and are the venues of choice for dozens of events all year. Some teams play on grass, others on turf. Some teams play in domes, others without. There are some venues where if there’s a little weather, it becomes impossible to make out where the football field marker is on the field.
NFL stadiums are world-renowned. 11 NFL stadiums will be featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Each has its own story and each new addition is even more state-of-the-art than the last.
The 5 Biggest NFL Stadiums in Use Today
MetLife Stadium (New York Giants/New York Jets; 82,500)
“The Meadowlands” was, for a long time, the lone NFL stadium that was home to two teams. Both the New York Giants and New York Jets call this East Rutherford, New Jersey stadium home. At the time of construction in 2010, it was the most expensive stadium, valued at $1.6 Billion.
This 82,500-seat stadium manages to encapsulate the vibes of both franchises at the same time. Fun fact: the logo at the 50-yard line is the NFL shield. Normally, the home team would have its logo at midfield and these two would have had removable logos if not for the idea getting scrapped after Domenik Hixon tore his ACL during a pre-season practice.
Each pre-season, the Jets and Giants face off with each team having its name painted in the endzone. When the two teams face off in-season, the designated home team has its colors, etc. around the stadium’s facade.
The Giants are 49-55-1 (1-0 in playoffs) at MetLife and the Jets are 49-55 themselves. MetLife has hosted a number of concerts, college football games, and international soccer matches. Super Bowl XLVIII was played at MetLife where the Seattle Seahawks destroyed the Denver Broncos, 43-8.
MetLife is one of the 11 NFL stadiums slated to host 2026 World Cup matches. As of now, the Final has been planned to play at MetLife.
Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers; 81,441)
Opened in 1957, Lambeau Field is the second oldest among the NFL stadiums. Named after the team’s founder, Curly Lambeau, Lambeau Field has become one of the most storied and respected venues in the nation.
Over the years, Lambeau has been updated to keep up with the times between adding lights, adding seats, and generally fixing quality-of-life issues. It is synonymous with the “Lambeau Leap,” the go-to celebration by Packers players who score touchdowns and then jump into the stands to celebrate with fans. Many teams and players have attempted to replicate the leap but none have been quite as iconic. A brave few visiting players have attempted the leap, only to be met with a wall of fans pushing back, giving a certain one-finger salute, and possibly showering the player in beer.
There have been legendary games played at Lambeau, including 2007 NFC Championship where the Packers fell to the Giants, 23-20 in -4 degree weather.
All-time, the Packers are 251-125-6 at Lambeau in the regular season and 18-7 in the playoffs.
AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys; 80,000)
“Jerry’s World” has been the pinnacle of insane football architecture since its 2009 opening. At the time, it was valued at $1.3 Billion and Jerry Jones spared no expense.
Perhaps the most eye-catching feature — aside from hosting “America’s Team” in the Dallas Cowboys — is the pair of 160-foot wide HD screens spanning from 20 to 20 hung above the playing surface. On four occasions, it has been struck by punts, causing re-kicks.
AT&T Stadium has been the go-to for all top-tier events. In college football, it’s home to the Big 12 Football Championship Game as well as the Cotton Bowl. In 2015, it hosted the first-ever CFP National Championship where the Ohio State University defeated the Oregon Ducks. For college basketball, AT&T Stadium was host to March Madness in both 2013 and 2014 with the latter featuring the Final Four.
Naturally, AT&T Stadium has been tabbed as a host for the 2026 World Cup. It’s already hosted one Super Bowl (XLV).
The Cowboys are 64-47 at AT&T Stadium and 3-2 in playoffs.
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs; 76,416)
Opened in 1975, Arrowhead Stadium is famous among the NFL stadiums for its sheer record-breaking volume (sound) of fans. In 2014 against the Patriots, Chiefs fans hit 143.3 decibels, breaking the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium in the world.
A capacity of just 76,416, Arrowhead is constructed in a way that seemingly amplifies fans and makes it seem like well over 100,000 fans are screaming at opposing quarterbacks. It’s a known commodity and the KC fans have even been threatened with penalties for being too loud (1990 vs the Broncos).
As with Lambeau, the years have required renovations. Since Arrowhead has been tabbed as a site for the 2026 World Cup, there will be $50 Million in renovations to bring the stadium up-to-date and make sure the world’s largest event is adequately taken care of.
All time, the Kansas City Chiefs are 238-156-1 and 9-8 in the playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos; 76,124)
Finally, perhaps the NFL stadium with the most natural home-field advantage built in, Mile High Stadium is a problem for most NFL teams due to the thin air. The Denver natives are used to it, obviously, and sell out the stadium weekly. Built in 2001, Mile High replaced the old Mile High Stadium and is by far the stadium with the highest elevation above sea level.
Fun fact about Empower Field, there is a Neil Smith Kansas City Chiefs jersey buried under the 50-yard line by the stadium contractors in an attempt to curse the franchise. The Broncos went on to play in two Super Bowls after the discovery, winning on just two years later.
The stadium has been utilized for soccer a handful of times and will be one of the 11 chosen for 2026. Between Empower Field and Estadio Azteca in Mexico, the elevation changes could be an interesting subplot.
To this point, the Broncos are 107-67 at Empower Field and 6-3 in playoffs.
