31.) The Georgia Dome
Someone (or some building, as it were) has to be last. That's the nature of lists. All I'll say is that the Georgia Dome is a bad enough venue that the league has no thoughts of playing the Super Bowl in Atlanta, even though it is a large city, has the busiest airport and great nightlife. That's says alot. It never seems to get too loud, even when the Falcons are good. It has its moments, but it seems to be a pretty dull dome over all.30.) Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
The worst open air stadium gets that distinction for being way too open air. It has no uniqueness to it, but that is like a lot of open air stadium. What makes Jacksonville Municipal Stadium so bad is that, first its name is Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Then, it is on the waterfront but has no open area for a view of the river. It has no view at all, as it is quite outside of the city. It never gets loud, and has little atmosphere, although the Jaguars are more at fault than the stadium design. Since its not a dome, it doesn't get put behind the Georgia Dome.29.) Qualcomm Stadium
It is the last true multi-use stadium, as the one in Miami and Oakland were built exclusively for football and baseball was later added, and it feels like it. The field is just way too far from the stands on the sides, and the only time it feels loud is close to the end zones. The stadium generally has a very San Diego calm feel on gameday, which does not help. Overral, just not a great experience for a game.28.) Ralph Wilson Stadium
The Bills really need a new building. It's old, small, cramped and quiet. It can get loud at select times, but it's really just depressing. At least it is better than the crowds when the Bills play at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Those crowds truly suck. Also, there hasn't been any real great historical game other than the comeback in '94 against the Oilers.27.) Pro Player/Land Shark/Sun Life Stadium
Having its name changed seemingly every fortnight does not help its cause. It is huge and ugly. The orange seats are a total eyesore. It gets loud for night games, but pretty much every stadium does that. It seems way to spread out, and has no view, and when you are in Miami, and since the Orange Bowl used to have palm trees lining one end zone, the fact that it is boxed in is a serious negative.26.) FedEx Field
I have heard so many complaints about this place. Evidently, all it is was Dan Snyder trying to build the biggest stadium possible and not care about amenities, atmosphere or even technology. It fits, as it is just a giant bowl seating 90,000 people. The fans are always good, as Redskin fans are, but it lacks that electric atmosphere during night games that so many other stadiums have.25.) Edward Jones Dome
Essentially the Georgia Dome, just with a roof that doesn't let sunlight in. Also, since the Rams suck terribly right now, it is easy to forget, but it is one of the more underratedly loud venues. Back in the Greatest Show on Turf Days the Eddie Dome (or at that time the TWA Dome) was as loud and electric as they come.24.) Gillette Stadium
The worst of the stadiums built in the 2000s, it is essentially a mausoleum that hosts football games. Because of that open part with the "lighthouse" (really some weird phallic shape glowstick), sound just escapes creating a dead atmosphere at even the best of times. There is little to no redeeming factor, and even moreso since it has been a house of horrors for me. It is aesthetically a beautiful place, though.23.) McAffee Coliseum
It's large. It's obtrusive. It has a giant stand on one side that takes away what would've been a nice view, but how can you not love it. When the Raiders are good, or even for any night game, the place gets insane. The lower bowl is really close to field level, so the fans have great interaction. It is a weird stadium built into the ground, instead of on top of it, so there is a canyon effect. Plus, there has been a lot of history in Al Davis' brainchild.22.) LP Field
I have no idea what to say. I think this is a fair spot for one of the more bland stadiums. The atmosphere seems fine. The crowd gets loud. It has a nice view. But there is nothing unique or special about LP Field. But I think there is nothing wrong with having a truly average stadium. It's better than spending boatloads and striking out like the Pats did.21.) Cleveland Browns Stadium
Again, nothing much to say here. I'll say this, that it has a nice build, where the stands create the canyon effect because they are angled more upright than most. However, this stadium just doesn't have any pizzazz. It's brown. It's big. It has an obstructed view of Lake Erie. Nothing special has ever happened there. I reserve judgement, because the Browns have never been good, so I have no idea what the real atmosphere is like.20.) Bank of America Stadium
This is just as blah as LP Field or Cleveland Browns Stadium, but at least Bank of America Stadium was built to trap sound. It gets really loud. The sidelines are right on top of the field. It really is a slightly more modern version of the old Giants Stadium, where the stands domineering presence creates the atmosphere.19.) Raymond James Stadium
It get's bonus points for the pirate ship. That is probably the most unique element of any stadium in the NFL, as well as the best stadium marketing tool. Also, Raymond James has the weird ability to hold 73,000 people, yet seem small and intimate. However, the crowds there suck.18.) Soldier Field
If it was not renovated as drastically as it was, it would have been top-10. I will say this. Soldier Field is now louder and more concentrated before. It may look like a giant "spaceship" as many have claimed, but it is a compact spaceship. It is the smallest stadium in the NFL, and for good reason, as its tiny compact size allows it to fit on the pier, and create a great atmosphere.17.) Ford Field
It is the most plain of the new indoor/retractable stadiums. It's only real barometer was Super Bowl XL. Now, Super Bowl crowds aren't usually a legitimate way to rate a stadium, but since that was like 87% Steeler fans, it can count as a real "home game' crowd. It wasn't all that. It seems way too spacious and open for an indoor stadium. Plus, it houses the Lions, so that has to knock it down a bit.16.) Paul Brown Stadium
The jungle has it all. It leads off the top-16 which are all quality stadiums. The only reason it is not any higher is because it hasn't had any history happen inside of it. It is, however, a beautiful stadium, with a great view of the city behind it, and large stands that go between creating the canyon effect and being too open air. I'll say this, it is roughly a 10000% improvement from old Cinergy Field.15.) HHH Metrodome
The only reason it sniffs the top-15 is because the atmosphere in the homer-dome is amazing. It gets as loud as anything. The old air-domes (said because the roofs are inflated with air. Other examples are the old RCA Dome and BC Place in Vancouver) trap noise perfectly. What knock it down though is it is ugly. It has large stands that are far away from the field, and has nothing unique about it at all. Still, the noise factor puts it in the top-half.14.) Candlestick Park
Grading on history here. Walking in the stadium is to walk into one of four remaining hallowed grounds in the NFL, along with McAffee, Arrowhead and Lambeau. The amazing games and moments and players that have played on that field. Anyway, as for the stadium, it is like McAffee that it is built slightly in the ground, so it gives a great view of the bay, plus since the Giants left to Pac Bell, the new stand makes it seem like a much more intimate place than a giant baseball/football combination.13.) University of Phoenix Stadium
I think it is a bit overrated because of the whole "retractable field" thing. It can get very, very loud, as evidenced by the Warner-Rodgers shootout last playoffs and the NFC Title Game the year before, but it is just ugly from the outside. It has been called the "Giant Toaster" by some, and that is at least more viable than the cactus it was supposed to replicate. Props though, should be given because the Cardinals had the WORST field before this in Sun Devil Stadium.12.) Heinz Field
I wish they kept three rivers stadium, because there is a total lack of "hallowed grounds" like there are in baseball, but Heinz is a beauty. Much like its baseball partner, PNC Park, it offers a great view of the Allegheny River, and the wrought-iron towers flanking the scoreboard offer great views. It can great really loud when the Steelers are doing well, and just the sight of all the terrible towels are one to behold.11.) Invesco Field at Mile High
Again, wish they kept the old mile high, but Invesco Field should not get knocked as it does. It is a beautiful stadium that totally creates the canyon effect, and gets really, really loud in big games. The stadium can get electric at night, and of course, it has the single greatest chant of any stadium, where the Bronco faithful yell "In-Com-Plete" after every incomplete pass. Listen for it next time you watch a game in Invesco.10.) Arrowhead Stadium
This is really tough to rate. Arrowhead is unique because of its odd inverted saddle shape (yeah, that was the best comparison I could make). Arrowhead is one of the most historic stadiums in the league, as it is one of the few that were in use back when the merger happened in 1970. Also, back in the day, there was no stadium louder or more energized. However, that was a long time ago. New stadiums have become louder, and more energized, and the Chiefs depressing last decade has turned it into kind of a pititable pantheon for yesteryear.9.) Meadowlands Stadium
This is a rating from pictures. It seems to be another great stadium that creates the canyon effect to great effect. It looks like a beauty, and from the outside it certainly is unique. My guess is that a brand-new stadium cannot be ranked any lower than ninth, other than Gillette of course.8.) Cowboys Stadium
Jerry Jones would kill me if he saw this list. He may have spent over a billion buying Jerry-Mahal, but it is lacking in the most important thing a stadium can have: game day atmosphere. It may have a giant videoscreen, beautiful end windows, cage dancers and a unique roof. It is huge and pristine. However, it has none of the charm that Texas Stadium used to have. Like the rest of Dallas, it is a humongous, soulless building.7.) Lucas Oil Stadium
It is spectacular to look at. It is beautiful inside. It has unique side panels that open up like large side windows. It has the most unique shape of any stadium in the league, as it is built to look like a warehouse on the outside. However, sound does not carry in that stadium as well as it did in the RCA Dome. It seems just a tad more quiet. Of course, it is still plenty electric and can get downright hysterical at times, but it just doesn't beat out the remaining six in terms atmosphere, and when you are this high in the list, it matters more than anything else.6.) The Superdome
If this ranking was done 365 days ago, the Superdome probably wouldn't be this high, but after a year where it stood in the spotlight time and time again, it is hard not to elevate it into the top-6. The Superdome is the loudest dome stadium in the league. It probably has the best game-day atmosphere of any stadium. It is the volume equivalent of a aircraft carrier on gamedays. It has also been a symbol of architectural glory for this country, and has hosted more Super Bowls than any other bulding. This is the one place, other than the one at the top of the list, where I want to see a game before I die.5.) Reliant Stadium
In 2010, the Texans will finally make the playoffs. They will also finally get multiple home night games. In those games, when the Texans are in the thick of the wildcard race, Reliant Stadium will finally feel like the building it truly is. From just a beauty standpoint, Reliant is the best indoor stadium of the league. It has a Texas-sizes spaciousness, but still retains a good canyon effect. It gets as electric as any other building, especially during a night game. When the Texans inevitably become a long-term contender, Reliant will take a firm place high above the Stadium Mountain.4.) Qwest Field
It merits this spot just because it is the only building designed specifically for noise. It is also the most unique stadium in the league. It has the crows nest, which is the pointed, triangular west end zone with a large tower scoreboard. It has a large enough opening for beautiful views of Seattle's downtown. It has a roof for the stands, so most of the spectators are free from the eternal rain. It also has, again, a building built to retain sound. I still have never heard a building louder than the 2005 Title Game in Qwest. In terms of sound noise, it is the Gold Standard. In terms of pure aesthetic beauty, it is also the gold standard.3.) Lincoln Financial Field
It is probably the most underrated stadium in the league. It looks like an old school multi-tiered stadium. However, it is so much more. It is a palacial home to the Eagles, with large open concourses, two statuesque endzone stands, and a great ability to retain sound. The Linc has been the home to many a big game since its inception in 2003. So many that it seems like it has been around for decades.2.) M&T Bank Stadium
The ultimate modern outdoor stadium. It looks like a normal stadium from the outside, but M&T Bank Stadium is so much more than just an ordinary stadium. It is the definition of a stadium. It is the Grand Canyon, in terms of a canyon effect, where the stands seem to be rising at a 70% angle. It is large and truly spectacular. The Ravens fans violently cheer their team creating an added sense of electricity to the league's most jacked-up field. It truly is a beauty.1.) Lambeau Field
Of course, nothing can top Lambeau. Situated in snowy Green Bay, Wisconsic, Lambeau is the Fenway Park/Wrigley Field/Yankee Stadium combined of the NFL. Just entering the stadium and looking at the hallowed field can give goosebumps. The Packer fans are as good as they come, just feeding off the energy already created by its mythic ground. There is no venue in America in any sport, now that Yankee Stadium is no more, that can compare to Lambeau. It is the perfect football stadium.