The NFL unquestionably is the very definition of “the big leagues.” It has big storylines, big salaries, and even bigger stadiums. You will get here top of the five newest stadiums in the NFL. Over the last few years, more and more new stadiums have been cropping up, with franchises opting to either relocate or build a new home in their long-time city of choice. Some transitions have been smooth.
Others are less so. But with five brand spanking new arenas being constructed in the last decade it was decided now would be the perfect time to look at those stadiums in depth.
The Five Newest Stadiums in the NFL
The Sofi Stadium and Allegiant Stadium, which were constructed in 2020, are the most recent additions to the league. On the other hand, Soldier Field in Chicago has the distinction of being the oldest stadium, having been built in 1924.
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey holds the title for being the largest NFL stadium, accommodating up to 82,500 spectators. Conversely, Soldier Field is the smallest with a seating capacity of 61,500.
SoFi Stadium (2020)
Breaking ground in 2016, SoFi Stadium is already making waves as one of the most impressive buildings in the league. Home to both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, the stadium boasts the world’s first 4K video board, an Oculus halo that encircles the arena, and a 70,000-pound retractable roof.
It’s the most expensive stadium in the world, costing a whopping $5 billion to build. With an impressive seating capacity of 70,000, this stadium is equipped with the latest technology that has seen it bring a plethora of marquee events to Inglewood in recent years.
Last year, SoFi hosted Super Bowl LVII as the Los Angeles Rams triumphed over the Cincinnati Bengals. Cooper Kupp’s last-gasp touchdown meant that the Lombardi winner had lifted the trophy in their own stadium for the second consecutive year following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LVI.
The stadium also hosted WrestleMania 39 back in April, which went down as the highest-grossing show in WWE history. The card was headlined by Roman Reigns who shockingly defeated the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship successfully.
Allegiant Stadium (2020)
From one Super Bowl host to another. Allegiant Stadium will host the Big Game at the culmination of the current season, and the Kansas City Chiefs have been made the +500 favorites by NFL lines and futures providers to retain the Lombardi they won in dramatic circumstances back in February. Despite trailing by ten points at halftime, Patrick Mahomes managed to inspire his team to overturn the deficit and claim Super Bowl glory for the second time in four years.
Allegiant Stadium was built to be the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, who had been tempted to Sin City from Oakland, California. Designed with a unique retractable glazing system, the stadium allows for natural daylight to flood the field, creating a unique environment that gives players the feeling of playing outdoors. With an eye-catching black exterior, the stadium’s sleek design is accompanied by an enormous $2 million LED video board.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2017)
Home to the Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium was built to wow fans with its innovative design. The most impressive feature? A retractable roof that opens like a camera lens in eight minutes flat. The stadium also has a circular LED video board that encircles the arena, making all 71,000 seats feel like the best in the house.
The stadium is also home to soccer franchise Atlanta United. It hosted the MLS Cup finals back in 2018 which saw the Georgia outfit win on home turf in front of 73,000 fans, the highest attendance in the history of the showpiece fixture.
U.S. Bank Stadium (2016)
The Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium has been called the “people’s stadium” for its unique, open-air design. The stadium’s most striking feature is its transparent roof made of a special type of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene material that allows in natural light while also protecting fans from the elements. It bore witness to the greatest comeback in NFL history last season as the Vikings rallied from a 33-point deficit to secure a 39-36 victory in overtime.
That led many people to think that a special campaign was on the cards in Minneapolis. Unfortunately for them though, it wasn’t meant to be. Despite finishing with the second-best record in the entire NFC, the Vikings were stunned by the ever-clutch New York Giants, who managed to steal a narrow victory in the wildcard round.
Levi’s Stadium (2014)
Named after the iconic jeans brand that is headquartered in the area, Levi’s Stadium is the home of the San Francisco 49ers. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the stadium boasts cutting-edge technology, including over 400 miles of fiber-optic cable that provides lightning-fast internet access for fans and staff. With a seating capacity of 68,500, the stadium’s design incorporates eco-friendly features, including solar panels and a green roof.
The amphitheater also hosted WrestleMania, just like SoFi Stadium last year. The 31st installment of the Grand Daddy of Them All was arguably one of the greatest WrestleMania’s of all time. It featured a moment still played on highlight reels today when Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to defeat Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar and become the World Heavyweight Champion. The moment has gone down in history as the heist of the century and rightfully so.
