Among the top 10 expensive stadiums globally, six stadiums are mainly built for the National Football League’s teams. However, it comes as no surprise; the NFL is by far the most revenue-generating sports league anywhere globally. With 13 billion dollars a year, it generates 3 billion dollars more than the MLB.
The average attendance in the stadium per game is around 67,000 fans. In comparison, at second place comes the German Bundesliga, which registers about 44,000 fans per game. So, it is no surprise why stadiums in the NFL are so expensive. They need to facilitate 67,000 people, but each new stadium owner feels the need to outperform the other stadiums. SoFi Stadium opened in California on 8th September 2020.
This stadium has set a new benchmark for other NFL stadiums and every other sports stadium in the world. With over 5 billion dollars cost, SoFi Stadium is the most expensive venue by a long shot. It is not surprising that future stadium projects may cost much more than the SoFi Stadium. We will list the most expensive stadiums in the NFL based on their today’s value after adjusting for inflation and the original cost.
1. SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California
Year Built 2020, Cost $5.5 Billion.
NFL Home Teams: LA Rams & LA Chargers
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.
As discussed above, this state-of-the-art stadium was inaugurated on the 8th of September 2020. SoFi Stadium can house 70,000 plus fans while a further 30,000 can be seated for special occasions. The naming right was bought by SoFi Finance, Inc for a hefty price of $30 million per year. The stadium’s cost is estimated to be anywhere between 5 and 6 billion dollars.
Even though it will serve as home field for both LA Rams and LA Chargers, the stadium has been financed by Rams ownership. This is the first NFL stadium with a complete indoor-outdoor environment. However, it’s not just a stadium; it’s more like an entertainment facility. The best part for the in-house fans is its state of the art 120 yards long giant screen.
The screen is equally visible from all angles, and with 4K resolution, the result of the screen is going to be much better for the fans who will be watching from the sixth level of the stadium.
How is it different from other NFL stadiums?
If you have no shortage of money, then there is no shortage of entertainment for you. There are a total of 260 suites for enthusiast fans. They range from terrace suites, patio suites and perch suites. Then there are the traditional executive suites, but the most important ones are called field cabanas and bungalows.
The best part about both bungalows and cabanas is that both have been built near the actual stadium pitch as the NFL rules allow. Furthermore, the stadium also has a venue called YouTube theatre for movies, theatre, and music with a seating capacity of 6,000 persons. The stadium is aesthetically pleasing and has already won awards as “Stadium of the Year” and “Outstanding Architectural Engineering Project.” We don’t know how, after how many years, the stadium will recover its cost, but SoFi Stadium fits very well in California, where there is no shortage of beautiful buildings.
2. MetLife Stadium – New York
Year Build 2010 Cost: Adjusted for Inflation $2.1 Billion. Original Cost: $1.7 Billion.
NFL Home Teams: NY Jets & NY Giants
MetLife Stadium is a joint home for both the New York Jets and Giants, who also privately funded the whole project equally. This stadium was built in 2010 at the cost of $1.7 Billion, making it the most expensive stadium at the time. After adjusting for inflation, this stadium is expected to be priced at $2.1 Billion in today’s price.
MetLife Stadium has the capacity of 82,500 tons of parking space. When this stadium was being built, the most modern technology was used. On top of that, the MetLife Stadium was built using recycled materials from landfills. A total of 40,000 tons of recycled steel and 30,000 tons of recycled concrete were used from the old stadium.
The best part about this stadium is its design and aesthetically pleasing look. The stadium has perfect elevation to watch the game from all angles. There are different seating sections called club levels, coaches’ level, and MetLife 50 Club seats.
One of the highlights is the specially designated section for kids and family, and the best part about “Family Section” is that it’s alcohol-free and henceforth less likelihood of fights and mess. In terms of suites, there are plenty of well-furnished and well hospitable options available with private entry and a private lobby for the holder.
There are clean washrooms, HD watch panels, and bars in each of the suites. The MetLife stadium was primarily built as a modern home for both football teams, and both of these organizations have massive fan bases (hence the capacity of over 80K fans).
3. Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, Nevada
Year Built 2020. Cost $1.9 Billion
NFL Home Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Photo courtesy of 2KUTV
Allegiant Stadium is situated on the land of 62 acres in Paradise, Nevada. Primarily it’s the home stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders. The stadium was completed in July 2020 at a budget of $1.9 Billion. The Raiders franchise is the primary financier of the stadium, while public funding, NFL funding, and loans were also collected to build this stadium. The stadium has a capacity of 65,000.
There are club seats as well as suites to accommodate enthusiasts and corporate fans. In addition to 8,000 club seats, there are also 120 luxury suites. However, the in-house environment of the stadium couldn’t be tested due to COVID restrictions. One of the most remarkable features of the stadium is its lanai doors specifically built to make the feel of the outside while being inside the dome.
The purpose of lanai doors was to bring the whole Las Vegas atmosphere inside the stadium. Another feature of the stadium is the “Legacy Brick Program,” which allows fans to post their messages for $850 or $1,500. The idea has been very successful so far, with almost 4,500 bricks already sold. Like SoFi, Allegiant Stadium also has a translucent roof that keeps the temperature warm or cold compared to the outside temperature.
Another notable feature of the stadium is that it has a retractable field which gives the home team the option to play on turf or grass. The Raiders franchise has always had a solid fan base, and the owners are working hard to build the team from the ground up, so it will be interesting to see the Raiders play in their own home in years to come.
4. AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
Year Built: 2009. Cost (adjusted to inflation): $1.8 Billion. Original Cost: $1.48 Billion.
NFL Home Team: Dallas Cowboys.
AT&T Stadium, which was built more than a decade ago, has remained the focus of attention during all this time. This stadium will have all its glitters and glamor staying in sync with the Dallas Cowboys, the wealthiest franchise in the entire NFL. The seats are almost at total capacity even during the regular season games making the stadium experience much more wholesome.
The stadium has 80,000 seats and additional room for 25,000 fans to stand and watch the game. The cost of the stadium was covered mainly by the City of Arlington. There wasn’t any stadium that cost more than $1 billion before, so the original estimated cost of $650 million came short, and the City of Arlington had to raise taxed to get more revenue.
The stadium’s roof is retractable at the height of 300ft, making it one of the tallest domes in the world. There are 342 suits throughout the stadium (the most in any stadium), and collectively all suites have more than 3000 HD LEDs installed.
The big screen called “Big Hoss” with 218ftx95ft was the largest HD screen in the world. The screen is bright, 90ft above the ground, and fans can enjoy the game while sitting anywhere in the stadium. This stadium made a statement when it was completed, and that statement was that it is a home for America’s team.
5. Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
Year Built: 2014. Cost (adjusted to inflation): $1.79 Billion. Original Cost: $1.5 Billion
NFL Home Team: Atlanta Falcons
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
At number 5 on our list is the home turf of the Atlanta Falcons. Mercedes-Benz Stadium was completed in 2017. It has a capacity of 71,000 that can be further expanded to 75,000. The Georgian World Congress Center Authority owns Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The design of the stadium is nothing short of a marvel. Bill Johnson led the HOK team to prepare and carry out the plan.
The design is very futuristic and looks excellent from the ground or from above. This stadium also has a retractable roof, and the top itself is a thing of beauty. One can look just at the ceiling all day open and close, and he wouldn’t be bored.
The inside of the stadium is also very modern with all the latest facilities. The video board is 360-degree and looks seamless when lit, creating an oculus experience for fans inside the stadium. In response to an initiation taken by the NFL for green energy and recycling, Mercedes-Benz stadium responded well.
The stadium has 4,000 solar panels installed that enhance the stadium’s look and provide green energy. Moreover, the stadium has a vast 600,000 sq ft cistern that collects rainwater and quickly distributes the water to the trees throughout the city. There is a 100-yard club concession area for fans, which is -well- 100 yards long and equal to the football ground.
There is an 11-acre area dedicated just for tailgating. When the Georgia Dome was demolished, there were massive complaints all over the state. However, after the stadium has been completed, one can see the actual worth of the area, which has added another landmark in the city of Atlanta.
6. Levi Stadium – Santa Clara, California
Year Built: 2014 Cost: $1.43 Billion (adjusted) Cost in 2014: $1.3 Billion
NFL Home Team: SF 49ers
This stadium had been in the building process since Steve Young was an active 49er. Levi Stadium met with lots of criticism even before its blueprints were planned. The 49ers’ original stadium was the historical stadium Candlestick Park, also a home stadium for San Francisco Giants during their MLB season. So, the fans in San Francisco had sentimental values attached to the Candlestick, which had been a great entertainment spot for the past several decades.
The original attempt was made in 1997, which failed. After the second failed attempt in 2006 and rising prices of the SF Bay area, the plan was changed to move the city from San Francisco to Santa Clara, and the project was laid out in 2007. Levi’s stadium was completed and opened to the fans in the year 2014. It has a seating capacity of 68,500 persons.
The best part, perhaps for fans, is that being in Silicon Valley, this stadium has excellent WiFi and high internet speed. The whole stadium has a combined rate of 40 GB/s, which is equally divided in the entire stadium for similar tech experience by the fans. Also, one of the unique features of the stadium is that it had high-tech beacons installed throughout the stadium, which allows the fans to communicate with each other using Bluetooth technology.
There is an outstanding quality of 7,500 club seats for the fans and 150 luxury suites. There are premium quality Sony HD LEDs installed throughout the suits and other areas. If the fans are hungry, they can enjoy the Bourbon Steak & Bourbon Pub, where seafood, a vegan menu, and steak are served. Even with all the facilities, there is lingering pain in the hearts of die-hard fans.
The venue is an hour away from the Bay Area on a good traffic day. However, we have seen that when a team pulls itself together and performs well, it automatically attracts fans. The 49ers lost the Super Bowl LIV to KC Chiefs, but there is a new fan following, and old fans are returning, which is excellent news to the 49ers franchise.
7. US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Year Built: 2016 Cost: $1.2 Billion (adjusted) Original Cost: $1.1 Billion
NFL Home Team: Minnesota Vikings
US Bank stadium carries one of the most prominent qualities any owner can hope for; fans love this stadium. Moreover, this stadium has been very lucky for the team as well. The team is 23-9, which is the best record for any NFL team from 2016 onwards for home ball clubs. Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority did the direct financing.
Aesthetically, the US stadium can be called one of the best looking. Even though it’s five years old, the design looks ultra-modern. Plus, the whole stadium has an added feature of violet effect at night.
The best possible feature for the fans was that the new designers decided to adopt the translucent roof, which is very good for Minneapolis’s cold weather. Translucent roofs cost much less than retractable roofs and are much more appealing.
The stadium was designed by HKS, Inc who has also designed AT&T stadium and recently built SoFi stadium. Furthermore, there are over 400 concession stands and a state-of-the-art fantasy football lounge with the latest fantasy updates so fans can enjoy the game while keeping track of their fantasy teams.
There are multiple club seats and 131 luxury suites. These suites can host guests anywhere from 10 to 34 people at a time. The indoor environment is enjoyable for kids and families. Along with football games, US Bank Stadium has been a hosting spot for many cultural events such as the Super Bowl.
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Image of MetLife Stadium Courtesy of The Associated Press.
