The Complete History of Every NFL Stadium
All 32 teams. Every building they've ever played in. What it cost, who paid for it, why they left, and what happened to the old place.
32
Active Teams
30
Current Stadiums
100+
Stadiums Used in NFL History
$10B+
Taxpayer Money Spent
$5.5B
Most Expensive (SoFi)
The NFL has been playing football since 1920, and in that time its 32 teams have called more than 100 different stadiums home - from tiny fields that held 1,500 fans to $5.5 billion palaces with retractable roofs and 100,000-seat capacity. Some teams have stayed put for decades. Others have bounced between cities, burned through stadiums, and left taxpayers holding billions in debt for buildings that no longer exist.
This page tells the complete stadium story for every active NFL franchise. When they moved in, what it cost, who wrote the check, why they left, and what happened to the old place after the last game was played. We also track the current stadium construction boom - with Buffalo, Tennessee, Cleveland, Chicago, and others building or planning new homes that will cost north of $2 billion each.
This page tells the complete stadium story for every active NFL franchise. When they moved in, what it cost, who wrote the check, why they left, and what happened to the old place after the last game was played. We also track the current stadium construction boom - with Buffalo, Tennessee, Cleveland, Chicago, and others building or planning new homes that will cost north of $2 billion each.
All 32 Teams at a Glance
Current stadiums, costs, capacity, and who paid the bill
| Team | Current Stadium | Opened | Capacity | Construction Cost | Public % | Total Stadiums Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | State Farm Stadium | 2006 | 63,400 | $455M | 76% | 10+ |
| Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 2017 | 71,000 | $1.5B | 39% | 3 |
| Baltimore Ravens | M&T Bank Stadium | 1998 | 71,008 | $220M | 87% | 2 |
| Buffalo Bills | Highmark Stadium | 1973 | 71,608 | $22M | 100% | 3 |
| Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium | 1996 | 74,867 | $242M | 23% | 2 |
| Chicago Bears | Soldier Field | 1924 (1971) | 61,500 | $632M (2003 reno) | 68% | 5+ |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Paycor Stadium | 2000 | 65,515 | $450M | 94% | 3 |
| Cleveland Browns | Huntington Bank Field | 1999 | 67,895 | $290M | 73% | 3 |
| Dallas Cowboys | AT&T Stadium | 2009 | 80,000 | $1.3B | 44% | 3 |
| Denver Broncos | Empower Field at Mile High | 2001 | 76,125 | $364M | 75% | 3 |
| Detroit Lions | Ford Field | 2002 | 65,000 | $430M | 51% | 4 |
| Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | 1957 | 81,441 | $960K (orig) | 57% (renos) | 3 |
| Houston Texans | NRG Stadium | 2002 | 72,220 | $352M | 60% | 1 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium | 2008 | 67,000 | $720M | 87% | 4 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | EverBank Stadium | 1995 | 67,264 | $134M | 85% | 1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | 1972 | 76,416 | $43M | 100% | 2 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Allegiant Stadium | 2020 | 65,000 | $1.9B | 39% | 5+ |
| LA Chargers | SoFi Stadium | 2020 | 70,240 | $5.5B | 0% | 5 |
| LA Rams | SoFi Stadium | 2020 | 70,240 | $5.5B | 0% | 7+ |
| Miami Dolphins | Hard Rock Stadium | 1987 | 65,326 | $115M | 0% | 2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium | 2016 | 66,200 | $1.1B | 48% | 4 |
| New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium | 2002 | 65,878 | $325M | 0% | 6+ |
| New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome | 1975 | 73,208 | $134M | 100% | 3 |
| NY Giants | MetLife Stadium | 2010 | 82,500 | $1.6B | 0% | 4 |
| NY Jets | MetLife Stadium | 2010 | 82,500 | $1.6B | 0% | 4 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Lincoln Financial Field | 2003 | 69,596 | $518M | 44% | 6+ |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Acrisure Stadium | 2001 | 68,400 | $281M | 69% | 4 |
| San Francisco 49ers | Levi's Stadium | 2014 | 68,500 | $1.3B | 17% | 3 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field | 2002 | 68,740 | $360M | 75% | 3 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium | 1998 | 65,890 | $194M | 83% | 2 |
| Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium | 1999 | 69,143 | $290M | 76% | 5+ |
| Washington Commanders | Northwest Stadium | 1997 | 64,000 | $250M | 0% | 5+ |
Stadium Construction Costs Over Time
Who Pays? Public vs Private Funding
Age of Current NFL Stadiums
How Many Stadiums Has Each Team Used?
The Taxpayer Tab: $10 Billion and Counting
Over $7 billion in public funds have been spent building current NFL stadiums, with another $2.7 billion committed for new stadiums in Buffalo, Nashville, and Cleveland. Only 5 of 30 active stadiums were built entirely with private money: SoFi (LA), MetLife (NJ), Gillette (NE), Hard Rock (Miami), and Northwest (Washington). The median public subsidy for stadiums built since 2010 is $500 million. Study after study shows these subsidies fail to generate the jobs and tax revenue that teams promise.
The $5.5 Billion Palace
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA is the most expensive sports venue ever built - and taxpayers didn't pay a dime. Rams owner Stan Kroenke (net worth: $12B+) privately funded the entire project. The 298-acre complex includes the stadium, concert venue, shops, restaurants, offices, apartments, a hotel, and a 25-acre park. It will host the 2026 World Cup, Super Bowl LXI (2027), and 2028 Olympics.
The Oldest & The Newest
Soldier Field (1924) is the oldest NFL stadium, though it was gutted and rebuilt in 2003 - a renovation so controversial it lost its National Historic Landmark status. Lambeau Field (1957) has the longest continuous tenancy. The newest are SoFi and Allegiant (both 2020). By 2027, the Bills and Titans will have brand-new homes, with the Browns and potentially Bears following by 2030.
100% Taxpayer Funded
Three current NFL stadiums were built entirely with public money: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, $43M in 1972), Highmark Stadium (Buffalo, $22M in 1973), and the Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, $134M in 1975). All three were products of the 1970s stadium-building boom. The Bengals' Paycor Stadium comes close at 94% public funded - a deal so bad that Hamilton County is still paying it off decades later.
American Football Conference
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Current Stadium
Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, NY)
1973Opened
71,608Capacity
$22MOriginal Cost
100%Public Funded
Open AirRoof
FieldTurfSurface
Highmark Stadium
1973 - Present
Originally named Rich Stadium, then Ralph Wilson Stadium, then New Era Field. Built 50 feet below ground level in Orchard Park, 15 miles south of downtown Buffalo, designed to shield against Lake Erie's brutal winds. Cost just $22 million ($134M in today's dollars). Has undergone multiple renovations including a $130M overhaul in 1998 and a $375M renovation. Famous for legendary snow games - the 2014 "Snowvember" game was relocated to Detroit after 7 feet of snow buried the stadium. Bills Mafia tailgate culture is one of the most iconic in all of sports. Scheduled for demolition in 2027.
War Memorial Stadium
1960 - 1972
Demolished 1989
Known as "The Rockpile." Capacity 46,206. Also served as the filming location for the movie "The Natural" (1984) starring Robert Redford. The Bills played their AFL years and early NFL years here before moving to Orchard Park. The stadium was in rough shape by the end - chunks of concrete would fall off the upper deck.
Civic Stadium (later Roth Park)
1960 (preseason)
Demolished
Used briefly in the Bills' inaugural AFL season for some games. Tiny capacity.
🚧 New Highmark Stadium - Opening 2026
$2.1B+Cost
62,000Seats
$850MPublic Money
2026Opening
Being built directly across the street from the current Highmark Stadium. Originally estimated at $1.4 billion, the cost has ballooned to $2.1B+ due to inflation and materials costs - the Bills are covering all overruns beyond $1.54B. New York State is contributing $600M and Erie County $250M ($850M total public). Features natural grass with underfield heating, open-air design (no dome), and 62,000 seats. The Bills sold "Bills Bonds" to help Erie County cover its $250M share. Construction is 75% complete as of early 2026. A fan on LSD, cocaine, and marijuana covered himself in porta potty waste, stripped naked, and jumped into the 35-foot construction pit in September 2023 - suffering only a forehead cut. The pit became a Bills Mafia meme, with fans believing that "feeding the pit" brought wins, though the lore was somewhat overstated. A small fire broke out during construction in December 2025 but caused no significant damage.
Miami Dolphins
Current Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
1987Opened
65,326Capacity
$115MOriginal Cost
0%Public Funded
Open + CanopyRoof
GrassSurface
Hard Rock Stadium
1987 - Present
Has had more names than any NFL stadium: Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, Land Shark Stadium, Sun Life Stadium, and now Hard Rock Stadium. Originally built for $115M entirely with private funds by founder Joe Robbie. Stephen Ross purchased the team in 2009 and spent $550M+ on a massive renovation (2015-16) adding a signature canopy roof, club spaces, and new video boards. Also hosts the Miami Open (tennis), the Orange Bowl, and hosted six Super Bowls. The 2020 Super Bowl (Chiefs vs. 49ers) was played here. One of only 5 NFL stadiums built without public money.
Orange Bowl
1966 - 1986
Demolished 2008
Capacity 75,500. Home of the Dolphins' glory years - the perfect 1972 season was played here. Also hosted five Super Bowls and decades of the Orange Bowl college game. The stadium was demolished in 2008 to make way for a new Marlins baseball stadium (now loanDepot park). Many fans and preservationists protested the demolition of this historic venue.
New England Patriots
Current Stadium
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
2002Opened
65,878Capacity
$325MCost
0%Public Funded
Open AirRoof
FieldTurfSurface
Gillette Stadium
2002 - Present
Built entirely with private money by Robert Kraft - one of only 5 NFL stadiums with zero public funding. Kraft had threatened to move the team to Hartford, CT (Connecticut offered $374M in public money) which pressured Massachusetts into providing infrastructure improvements worth ~$70M for roads around the stadium. Home to the Brady-Belichick dynasty and all six Super Bowl championship celebrations. The "Patriot Place" complex surrounding the stadium includes shops, restaurants, and a hotel. New Jersey spent $250M+ on supporting infrastructure for MetLife Stadium across the river - but Kraft's Gillette remains the gold standard for privately funded NFL venues.
Foxboro Stadium (Schaefer/Sullivan Stadium)
1971 - 2001
Demolished 2002
Capacity 60,292. One of the most hated stadiums in NFL history. Built for just $6.7M with aluminum bleacher seating, minimal amenities, and terrible sightlines. The parking lot was a muddy disaster on rainy days. The Patriots went through years of terrible ownership under Victor Kiam and James Orthwein, who nearly moved the team to St. Louis before Kraft bought them in 1994. Demolished immediately after Gillette opened next door.
Various Boston Venues (Boston Patriots era)
1960 - 1970
The Boston Patriots were nomads - they played at Braves Field, Boston University's Nickerson Field, Fenway Park, Harvard Stadium, and Alumni Stadium (BC) during their first decade. They couldn't find a permanent home in the city, which is why they eventually moved to suburban Foxborough and became the "New England" Patriots.
New York Jets
Current Stadium
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
2010Opened
82,500Capacity
$1.6BCost
0%Public Funded
Open AirRoof
FieldTurfSurface
MetLife Stadium
2010 - Present
Shared w/ Giants
Shared 50/50 with the NY Giants via the New Meadowlands Stadium Company LLC. The most expensive stadium in the US when it opened. Built with zero direct public subsidies - though New Jersey spent $250M+ on surrounding infrastructure. Has the largest listed seating capacity in the NFL at 82,500. Hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 - the first cold-weather, open-air Super Bowl in decades. Either team can opt out of the agreement every 5 years but neither has exercised the option.
Giants Stadium
1984 - 2009
Demolished 2010
Capacity 80,242. The Jets moved here from Shea Stadium in 1984 to share with the Giants. Despite playing there for 25 years, the stadium was never renamed to include the Jets and always felt like a Giants building. Demolished to make way for MetLife.
Shea Stadium
1964 - 1983
Demolished 2009
Capacity 60,000 for football. Shared with the NY Mets. Home to the Joe Namath era and the Jets' only Super Bowl championship (1969). Also famous for hosting the Beatles in 1965. Demolished in 2009 - the site is now part of Citi Field's parking lot.
Polo Grounds
1960 - 1963
Demolished 1964
As the "New York Titans," the team played in this historic but crumbling venue. Capacity about 55,000 but they rarely filled it - reported attendance was often wildly inflated. The team was so broke that players' paychecks bounced.
American Football Conference
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Current Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)
1998Opened
71,008Capacity
$220MCost
87%Public Funded
M&T Bank Stadium
1998 - Present
Built to bring NFL football back to Baltimore after the Colts' infamous midnight move to Indianapolis in 1984. Maryland committed $200M in public funds through a stadium authority. Built right next to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, creating a premier sports district. Maryland has since committed $1.2B for renovations to both M&T Bank and Camden Yards. The stadium hosted Army-Navy games and holds a record crowd of 71,547 (2012 divisional playoff vs. Texans).
Memorial Stadium
1996 - 1997
Demolished 2001
Capacity ~60,000. The Ravens played their first two seasons at the old Baltimore Colts' stadium while M&T Bank was being built. The same field where Johnny Unitas once played. Demolished in 2001 - the site is now a YMCA and senior housing community.
The Midnight Move That Changed Everything
On March 29, 1984, Colts owner Robert Irsay loaded Mayflower moving trucks in the middle of the night and relocated the team to Indianapolis. Baltimore was without an NFL team for 12 years until Art Modell moved the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996 (creating the Ravens). The irony of one city's heartbreak becoming another's gain - and vice versa - remains one of the NFL's most painful stories.
Cincinnati Bengals
Current Stadium
Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)
2000Opened
65,515Capacity
$450MCost
94%Public Funded
Paycor Stadium (Paul Brown Stadium)
2000 - Present
One of the worst stadium deals for taxpayers in American history. Hamilton County raised sales taxes by half a cent to fund 94% of the $450M stadium after Bengals owner Mike Brown threatened to move the team. The deal included a "state of the art" clause requiring the county to fund any upgrades that at least 14 other NFL stadiums had. The county is still paying off the debt and had to cut services including reducing funding for the local hospital system. The total cost to taxpayers including interest and upkeep could exceed $1 billion. Despite the deal, the Bengals remained one of the NFL's "least valuable" franchises - though even the "least valuable" team is now worth $5.5 billion.
Riverfront Stadium (Cinergy Field)
1970 - 1999
Demolished 2002
Capacity 60,389. Classic "cookie cutter" multi-purpose stadium shared with the Reds baseball team. Part of the 1960s-70s wave of identical-looking circular stadiums that looked terrible for both sports. Demolished to make way for the Reds' Great American Ball Park.
Nippert Stadium
1968 - 1969
Still Standing (UC)
University of Cincinnati's football stadium. The Bengals played their first two AFL seasons here. Capacity ~26,000. Still in use today as UC's home field.
Cleveland Browns
Current Stadium
Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland, OH)
1999Opened
67,895Capacity
$290MCost
73%Public Funded
Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland Browns Stadium)
1999 - Present
Built on the lakefront site of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium as part of the deal that brought the Browns back to Cleveland after Art Modell moved the original team to Baltimore in 1996. The city retained the Browns name, colors, and history. Built for $290M with 73% public funding. Sits on Lake Erie and is brutally cold and windy in December and January - the "Dawg Pound" end zone section is one of the most intimidating in football. Being replaced by a new $2.4B domed stadium in Brook Park.
Cleveland Municipal Stadium
1946 - 1995
Demolished 1996
Capacity 78,512. A massive lakefront stadium that hosted the Browns for 50 years. Also home to the Cleveland Indians (baseball). Known as "The Mistake on the Lake" due to its cavernous size and brutally cold conditions. On its final day, fans ripped out seats and chunks of concrete as souvenirs. Demolished to make way for the current stadium.
🚧 New Domed Stadium (Brook Park) - Target 2029
$2.4BEst. Cost
67,500Seats
$600MState of Ohio
2029Target Open
The Haslam family is moving the Browns to a domed stadium in suburban Brook Park, about 12 miles from downtown Cleveland. Ohio approved $600M in state funding in June 2025. The Haslams are contributing $1.2B privately. The dome will feature a "revolutionary seating bowl" designed to bring fans closer to the field than any other NFL stadium. Cleveland pushed hard to keep the team downtown with a $1B renovation offer, but the Browns chose the suburban dome instead. Groundbreaking expected early 2026.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Stadium
Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
2001Opened
68,400Capacity
$281MCost
69%Public Funded
Acrisure Stadium (Heinz Field)
2001 - Present
Originally Heinz Field - and the ketchup bottles that would "pour" on the scoreboard after touchdowns became iconic. Renamed Acrisure Stadium in 2022, a widely hated name change among fans. Sits on the banks of the Allegheny River at the confluence of Pittsburgh's three rivers, with one of the most stunning backdrops in the NFL. Cost $281M with about 69% from public sources through Allegheny County's Regional Asset District. Also home to the Pitt Panthers.
Three Rivers Stadium
1970 - 2000
Demolished 2001
Capacity 59,000. Another "cookie cutter" multi-purpose stadium, shared with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Home of the Steel Curtain dynasty - 4 Super Bowls in 6 years (1974-79). The stadium was imploded on February 11, 2001. The site is now a parking lot for Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park.
Forbes Field / Pitt Stadium
1933 - 1969
Both Demolished
The Steelers played at Forbes Field (the Pirates' ballpark) from 1933-63 and also used Pitt Stadium (1958-69), sometimes splitting home games between venues. Forbes Field was demolished in 1971. A section of the outfield wall still stands on the University of Pittsburgh campus.
American Football Conference
AFC South
Houston Texans
Current Stadium
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
2002Opened
72,220Capacity
$449MCost
68%Public Funded
RetractableRoof
GrassSurface
NRG Stadium (Reliant Stadium)
2002 - Present
The FIRST NFL stadium with a retractable roof. Built for $352M - Harris County funded about 60% through hotel/motel tax revenue and the team paid the rest. Built right next door to the Astrodome, which still stands (empty and deteriorating). The stadium also hosts the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of the biggest annual events in Texas. Hosted Super Bowls in 2004 and 2017 - the 2017 game was the famous Patriots 28-3 comeback vs. Atlanta. As of 2025, NRG Park needs an estimated $2B in repairs and the Texans are exploring renovation vs. new build options.
The Ghost Next Door
The Astrodome - the "Eighth Wonder of the World" when it opened in 1965 - still stands right next to NRG Stadium. The Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) played there from 1968-96. After NRG opened, the Astrodome was abandoned. Multiple plans to repurpose it have failed. Harris County pays roughly $400,000 per year in maintenance and insurance to keep it standing. In December 2025, the county received estimates showing renovation would cost $753M vs. $55M to demolish. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, the Astrodome remains a ghost stadium as of 2026 - too expensive to fix, too historic to flatten.
Indianapolis Colts
Current Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
2008Opened
67,000Capacity
$720MCost
87%Public Funded
RetractableRoof
Lucas Oil Stadium
2008 - Present
One of the most heavily subsidized stadiums in the NFL at 87% public funding (~$620M from the state and city). Features a retractable roof and massive window that opens to the Indianapolis skyline. Funded primarily through increases in food and beverage taxes, hotel taxes, car rental taxes, and other levies. Hosted Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. Also hosts the NFL Combine and multiple NCAA events. Widely considered one of the best venues in the NFL despite the taxpayer controversy.
RCA Dome (Hoosier Dome)
1984 - 2007
Demolished 2008
Capacity 60,272. The building that lured the Colts from Baltimore in 1984. Indianapolis had built the dome WITHOUT a team, specifically to attract an NFL franchise. The gamble worked - Robert Irsay moved the Colts under cover of darkness on March 29, 1984. Home to the Peyton Manning era. Demolished to make way for an expansion of the Indiana Convention Center.
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
1953 - 1983
Demolished 2001
Capacity 60,714. Home of the Baltimore Colts and legends like Johnny Unitas. The 1958 NFL Championship Game played here - "The Greatest Game Ever Played" - is credited with launching professional football into national prominence. When the team left, Baltimore was devastated.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Stadium
EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)
1995Opened
67,264Capacity
$134MCost
85%Public Funded
EverBank Stadium
1995 - Present
Has been through a parade of names: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Alltel Stadium, EverBank Field, TIAA Bank Field, and back to EverBank. Home of the annual Florida-Georgia college rivalry game and the Gator Bowl. Added massive poolside "cabana" sections in the end zones under Shad Khan's ownership. Currently undergoing a $1.4B+ "Stadium of the Future" renovation - the city is contributing $775M in public funding with the Jaguars providing $625M. The team will play at reduced capacity in 2026, relocate home games entirely in 2027, and return to a vastly upgraded venue with a shade canopy over all seats in 2028. The only stadium the Jaguars have ever played in.
Tennessee Titans
Current Stadium
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN)
1999Opened
69,143Capacity
$290MCost
76%Public Funded
Nissan Stadium
1999 - Present
Also known as Adelphia Coliseum, The Coliseum, and LP Field over the years. Home to the "Music City Miracle" playoff game in 2000 and the "one yard short" Super Bowl XXXIV run. Being replaced by a new domed stadium next door.
Liberty Bowl / Vanderbilt Stadium
1997 - 1998
Still Standing
The "Tennessee Oilers" played their first season in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl (1997) and their second in Nashville at Vanderbilt Stadium (1998) while Nissan Stadium was being built. Attendance was poor in Memphis - fans didn't embrace a team that still had "Oilers" in the name and hadn't fully committed to Tennessee.
Astrodome (Houston Oilers era)
1968 - 1996
Standing (Abandoned)
Capacity 62,439. The Houston Oilers played in the "Eighth Wonder of the World" for nearly 30 years. Owner Bud Adams wanted a new stadium but couldn't get public funding in Houston. He moved the team to Tennessee in 1997. The "Luv Ya Blue" era of the late 1970s saw some of the most electric crowds in NFL history here.
Jeppesen Stadium / Rice Stadium
1960 - 1967
The original Houston Oilers played at various venues including Jeppesen Stadium (a high school facility) and Rice Stadium in their AFL years before the Astrodome opened.
🚧 New Nissan Stadium - Opening 2027
$2.1B+Cost
60,000Seats
$1.26BPublic Money
2027Opening
The largest public stadium subsidy in US history at $1.26 billion (60% of total cost), funded primarily through bonds with over $1.1 billion in projected interest costs over 20+ years. Total public expenditure including interest: approximately $2.3 billion. The domed stadium will be built adjacent to the current Nissan Stadium. Owner Amy Adams Strunk (net worth: ~$2B) is covering $840M. The Tennessee Builders Alliance is managing construction with a guaranteed maximum price covering about two-thirds of total cost.
American Football Conference
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Current Stadium
Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, CO)
2001Opened
76,125Capacity
$364MCost
75%Public Funded
Empower Field at Mile High
2001 - Present
Also called INVESCO Field and Sports Authority Field over the years. Denver voters approved a 0.1% sales tax to fund 75% of construction. Built adjacent to the old Mile High Stadium. At 5,280 feet elevation, kickers love it and visiting teams hate it - the thin air makes the ball fly farther but makes players gas out faster. The Walton-Penner ownership group (richest owners in NFL history) named the Burnham Yard railyard as the preferred site for a new privately funded retractable-roof stadium, potentially opening in the early 2030s.
Mile High Stadium (Bears Stadium)
1960 - 2000
Demolished 2002
Capacity 76,098. Originally "Bears Stadium" for the minor league baseball Bears. The upper deck had a mechanical system that allowed one 21,000-seat section to physically move on underground rails to reconfigure between football and baseball. The noise was legendary - it literally registered on seismographs during big plays. Demolished to create parking for the new stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs
Current Stadium
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
1972Opened
76,416Capacity
$43MOriginal Cost
100%Public Funded
Arrowhead Stadium
1972 - Present
Once held the Guinness World Record for loudest outdoor stadium at 142.2 decibels. Built as part of the Truman Sports Complex alongside Kauffman Stadium (Royals) for $43M in taxpayer bonds approved by Jackson County voters in 1967. Underwent a $375M renovation in 2010. Patrick Mahomes and the dynasty-era Chiefs have made it one of the NFL's toughest venues to visit. Jackson County voters rejected a 3/8-cent sales tax to fund $800M in renovations in April 2024, putting the team's future in Kansas City in doubt. The Chiefs have explored Kansas and even other states for a potential new stadium.
Municipal Stadium (Kansas City)
1963 - 1971
Demolished 1976
Capacity 35,698. Originally the home of the Kansas City Athletics (baseball). The team moved here from Dallas in 1963 and became the Kansas City Chiefs. Previously as the Dallas Texans, the team played at the Cotton Bowl (1960-62).
Las Vegas Raiders
Current Stadium
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
2020Opened
65,000Capacity
$1.9BCost
39%Public Funded
Allegiant Stadium
2020 - Present
The Raiders' third city. A striking black-domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, funded with $750M in bonds backed by Clark County hotel taxes (39% public). Mark Davis moved the team from Oakland despite fierce fan opposition. The stadium opened during COVID in 2020 - the Raiders played their entire first season with zero fans in attendance due to Nevada policy. Also hosts the Las Vegas Bowl and UNLV football. Will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Oakland Coliseum (RingCentral Coliseum)
1966-81, 1995-2019
Still Standing
Capacity 63,132. The Raiders played here in two separate stints. After returning from LA in 1995, the city added 22,000 seats in a massive upper deck nicknamed "Mt. Davis" (after owner Al Davis) that ruined the ballpark's sightlines for the A's and is widely considered one of the worst stadium renovations in history. Raw sewage backed up into the locker rooms on multiple occasions in the 2010s.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
1982 - 1994
Still Standing (USC)
Capacity 92,488. Al Davis moved the Raiders to LA in 1982 after suing the NFL for the right to relocate. The team won Super Bowl XVIII during their LA years. They returned to Oakland in 1995 after failing to get a new stadium built in LA. The Coliseum is still in use by USC football.
Kezar Stadium / Frank Youell Field
1960 - 1965
The Raiders played at Kezar Stadium (shared with the 49ers) and Frank Youell Field (a temporary 20,000-seat venue) during their early AFL years before the Oakland Coliseum was built.
Three Cities, One Franchise
The Raiders are the only NFL team to call three different cities home: Oakland (1960-81, 1995-2019), Los Angeles (1982-94), and Las Vegas (2020-present). Al Davis sued the NFL to move to LA, was lured back to Oakland with stadium upgrades that became a disaster, and his son Mark ultimately took the team to Vegas. The Raiders' nomadic history is rivaled only by the Rams and Cardinals for franchise restlessness.
Los Angeles Chargers
Current Stadium
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
2020Opened
70,240Capacity
$5.5BCost
0%Public Funded
SoFi Stadium
2020 - Present
Tenant of Rams
The Chargers pay rent to Rams owner Stan Kroenke to share the most expensive stadium ever built. After failing to get a stadium deal done in San Diego, the Chargers moved to LA in 2017 and spent three awkward seasons at Dignity Health Sports Park (a 27,000-seat soccer stadium in Carson) before SoFi opened. They remain clearly the second team in LA - Rams fans far outnumber Chargers fans at shared events. The $5.5B stadium was entirely privately funded by Kroenke.
Dignity Health Sports Park (StubHub Center)
2017 - 2019
Still Standing
Capacity 27,000. A soccer stadium. The smallest NFL venue since the 1960s. An embarrassing temporary home that underscored how unwanted the Chargers' move to LA was. Visiting team fans routinely outnumbered Chargers fans.
Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium)
1967 - 2016
Demolished 2020
Capacity 70,561. Home of the Chargers for 50 years. Also hosted 3 Super Bowls and the World Series. Dean Spanos tried for 15+ years to get San Diego taxpayers to fund a new stadium. Voters rejected it in 2016, and Spanos moved the team to LA. The stadium was demolished in 2020 to make room for a new San Diego State football stadium.
Balboa Stadium
1961 - 1966
Demolished 1966
Capacity 34,000. The Chargers' first San Diego home after one season in Los Angeles (1960, at the LA Coliseum).
National Football Conference
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Current Stadium
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
2009Opened
80,000Capacity
$1.3BCost
44%Public Funded
RetractableRoof
AT&T Stadium (Cowboys Stadium)
2009 - Present
Jerry Jones' palace. Known as "Jerry World." Features the world's largest column-free interior and 175-foot HD videoboards. Can expand to 105,000 for special events - it set the NFL regular-season attendance record in 2009 (105,121 vs. Giants). Arlington contributed $325M from a half-cent sales tax increase and 2% hotel occupancy tax increase - voters approved the measure. Hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2015 CFP Championship, the 2018 NFL Draft, and NCAA Final Four. Also hosts the Cotton Bowl Classic and Big 12 Championship.
Texas Stadium (Irving, TX)
1971 - 2008
Demolished 2010
Capacity 65,675. Famous for the hole in the roof - "so God can watch His favorite team play." One of the most iconic NFL venues of the 1970s-2000s. Home to the Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, and Tony Romo eras. Demolished via implosion on April 11, 2010 in a ceremony attended by fans.
Cotton Bowl (Dallas, TX)
1960 - 1971
Still Standing
Capacity 75,504. Shared with the AFL's Dallas Texans (later KC Chiefs) for three seasons. The Cotton Bowl is still standing and hosts the Red River Rivalry (Texas vs. Oklahoma) and other events at Fair Park.
New York Giants
Current Stadium
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
2010Opened
82,500Capacity
$1.6BCost
0%Public Funded
MetLife Stadium
2010 - Present
Shared w/ Jets
$1.6B stadium shared 50/50 with the Jets. Zero direct public money - entirely privately financed. Largest seating capacity in the NFL. Hosted Super Bowl XLVIII (2014) and will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Giants Stadium
1976 - 2009
Demolished 2010
Capacity 80,242. First stadium in the Meadowlands complex. Built for $78M. When it was demolished, construction crews allegedly found human remains buried beneath the facility - fueling longstanding rumors about Jimmy Hoffa's burial site (the FBI investigated and found nothing). The Jets joined as tenants in 1984.
Yankee Stadium
1956 - 1973
Original Demolished 2010
Capacity 62,000 for football. The Giants shared the legendary Yankee Stadium with the baseball Yankees. Home of the 1958 "Greatest Game Ever Played" - the overtime NFL Championship between the Giants and Colts that put pro football on the national map.
Polo Grounds
1925 - 1955
Demolished 1964
The Giants' original home in upper Manhattan. Also hosted the baseball Giants. A horseshoe-shaped stadium with unusual dimensions. The site is now a public housing project.
Philadelphia Eagles
Current Stadium
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
2003Opened
69,596Capacity
$518MCost
44%Public Funded
Lincoln Financial Field ("The Linc")
2003 - Present
Known for having the most hostile fans in the NFL. The old Veterans Stadium literally had a courtroom and jail in the basement to process arrested fans. The Linc is somewhat more civilized but Philly fans are still Philly fans. Pennsylvania contributed $168M and the city of Philadelphia $78M in public funding. Hosted the 2017 Army-Navy game and multiple concerts. Home to the Jason Kelce retirement ceremony that drew tens of thousands.
Veterans Stadium
1971 - 2002
Demolished 2004
Capacity 65,358. Another cookie-cutter multi-purpose stadium. Notoriously terrible - the artificial turf was laid over concrete and caused countless injuries. Fans threw batteries, snowballs (with ice), and vomited on opposing fans. The stadium had the only jail in any NFL venue, with a full-time judge on game days. Demolished in 2004.
Franklin Field / Shibe Park / Municipal Stadium
1933 - 1970
The Eagles bounced between multiple venues in their early decades. Franklin Field (Penn's campus) was their primary home from 1958-70 and was the site of the first NFL game ever shown on instant replay (1960). Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium hosted games from 1940-57. Philadelphia Municipal Stadium (later JFK Stadium) was used for some games.
Washington Commanders
Current Stadium
Northwest Stadium (Landover, MD)
1997Opened
67,717Capacity
$250MCost
0%Public Funded
Northwest Stadium (FedExField / Jack Kent Cooke Stadium)
1997 - Present
Built privately by Jack Kent Cooke for $250M. Once held 91,000 seats - the largest in the NFL - but Dan Snyder removed thousands to add luxury suites, shrinking capacity to ~67,700. Widely considered one of the worst fan experiences in the NFL: sewage has leaked onto fans, railings collapsed, and the stadium is poorly maintained. The team is planning a move back to Washington DC at the former RFK Stadium site, with a $3.7-3.8 billion redevelopment approved by the DC Council in September 2025, targeting a 2030 opening.
RFK Stadium (D.C. Stadium)
1961 - 1996
Demolished 2024
Capacity 56,454. Home to three Super Bowl championship teams (1982, 1987, 1991). The crowd was so loud the upper deck would literally bounce and sway - structurally terrifying but atmospherically incredible. After the team left, RFK sat largely abandoned for decades. Structural demolition began in January 2025 to clear the site for the new Commanders stadium. The team put up $2.7B with DC contributing ~$1.1B in infrastructure and parking.
Griffith Stadium
1937 - 1960
Demolished 1965
Shared with the baseball Senators. The team was originally the Boston Braves (1932), then Boston Redskins (1933-36) before moving to DC. The site is now Howard University Hospital.
National Football Conference
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Current Stadium
Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)
1924Built
61,500Capacity
$632M2003 Renovation
68%Public Funded
Soldier Field
1971 - Present (Built 1924)
The oldest and smallest stadium in the NFL. The Bears moved here from Wrigley Field in 1971 after the AFL-NFL merger required 50,000+ seat stadiums. The move was "supposed to be temporary." In 2003, a $632M renovation gutted the interior and dropped a modern seating bowl inside the historic colonnades - critics called it "the spaceship that landed on a Roman ruin," "Eyesore on the Lake Shore," and "Monstrosity on the Midway." The renovation REDUCED capacity from 66,944 to 61,500, making it too small to host a Super Bowl. It lost its National Historic Landmark status in 2006. Chicago taxpayers are STILL paying off the renovation debt - $467M remains, and annual payments are set to balloon from $54M to $90M in coming years. The Bears rent the city-owned stadium for just $7M/year while pocketing gameday revenue.
Wrigley Field
1921 - 1970
Still Standing (Cubs)
Capacity ~46,000. The Bears played at Cubs Park/Wrigley Field for 50 years. The team was literally named after the Cubs ("Bears" to associate with their baseball landlords). George Halas chose Soldier Field over the White Sox's Comiskey Park "out of respect for the Cubs." Wrigley Field is still very much alive as the Cubs' beloved home.
Staley Field (Decatur, IL)
1920
Capacity 1,500. The original home of the Decatur Staleys. Fans paid $1 to attend. Employees got a 50% discount. The team lost money and moved to Chicago in 1921.
🚧 New Bears Stadium - Arlington Heights or Indiana?
$2.4B+Est. Cost
~60,000Seats
DomedRoof Type
TBDOpening
The Bears' stadium saga is one of the messiest in the NFL. They bought the old Arlington Park racetrack for $197.2M, proposed a $4.7B lakefront stadium (Governor Pritzker called it a "non-starter"), and are now caught between Illinois and Indiana. Indiana's House committee voted 24-0 to issue bonds for a stadium in Hammond. Illinois lawmakers have a megaprojects bill that would freeze property taxes around Arlington Heights. The Bears' Soldier Field lease runs through 2033 but they can leave early - at a cost of ~$84M. Meanwhile, Chicago's Park District is pushing a $630M plan to convert Soldier Field into a concert/events venue for life after the Bears. As of February 2026, the situation remains unresolved.
Detroit Lions
Current Stadium
Ford Field (Detroit, MI)
2002Opened
65,000Capacity
$430MCost
51%Public Funded
Ford Field
2002 - Present
An enclosed dome in downtown Detroit, attached to the old Hudson's warehouse building. Cost $430M with about 51% public funding. Has hosted the Super Bowl (XL in 2006), the NFL Draft (2024), Final Four, and multiple relocated games when other stadiums were unavailable (Buffalo snow games, Minnesota Metrodome collapse). Home to the Thanksgiving Day tradition that dates back to 1934. The Lions went 0-16 here in 2008 - the only winless season in NFL history.
Pontiac Silverdome
1975 - 2001
Demolished 2018
Capacity 80,368. An inflatable-roof dome 30 miles outside Detroit. Hosted Super Bowl XVI (1982) and a 1987 Pope John Paul II mass. The roof deflated under snow weight in 1985 and again later. After the Lions left, it sat abandoned for years, hosted a failed implosion attempt in 2017 (the roof collapsed but the walls stood), and was finally fully demolished in 2018. One of the most spectacular stadium deterioration stories in American sports.
Tiger Stadium (Briggs Stadium)
1938 - 1974
Demolished 2009
Capacity 54,468. Shared with the Detroit Tigers. The Lions won their last NFL championship here in 1957. The cornerstone of Tiger Stadium still stands at the original site.
Green Bay Packers
Current Stadium
Lambeau Field (Green Bay, WI)
1957Opened
81,441Capacity
$960KOriginal Cost
VariesRenovation Funding
Lambeau Field (City Stadium / New City Stadium)
1957 - Present
The longest continuous stadium tenancy in the NFL. Originally called "New City Stadium," renamed Lambeau Field in 1965 after founder Curly Lambeau died. Built for just $960,000 in 1957. Has been expanded and renovated multiple times - a $295M renovation in 2003 (funded by a Brown County 0.5% sales tax) added an atrium and expanded capacity to 72,515, and further expansions brought it to 81,441 (second-largest in the NFL). The "Frozen Tundra" is one of the most legendary venues in sports. Home to the 1967 "Ice Bowl" (-13F at kickoff, -48 wind chill). The Packers have a season-ticket waiting list of over 130,000 names with an estimated wait time of 30+ years. The Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL.
Old City Stadium (East High School)
1925 - 1956
Capacity 25,000. The Packers played here for over 30 years. The team also played 2-4 games per year at County Stadium in Milwaukee from 1933-94 to expand their fan base, a tradition that lasted over 60 years.
Hagemeister Park / Bellevue Park
1919 - 1924
The Packers' earliest homes - literal neighborhood fields. Hagemeister Park had no fences and fans just stood around the field. The team was founded by Earl "Curly" Lambeau and George Calhoun in 1919.
Minnesota Vikings
Current Stadium
U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)
2016Opened
66,200Capacity
$1.1BCost
48%Public Funded
U.S. Bank Stadium
2016 - Present
A stunning glass-and-steel enclosed stadium with a transparent ETFE roof. The state of Minnesota contributed $348M and the City of Minneapolis $150M (total ~48% public). Features the largest ETFE roof panel in the US and massive pivoting glass doors that can open to the Minneapolis skyline. Hosted Super Bowl LII (2018 - the Eagles' first Super Bowl win). Built on the site of the old Metrodome. The Minneapolis Miracle (Stefon Diggs' walkoff TD vs. the Saints in the 2017 NFC Divisional round) happened here.
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
1982 - 2013
Demolished 2014
Capacity 64,121. An inflatable-roof dome that was famously loud inside and created a major home-field advantage. The Teflon roof deflated under snow in December 2010, causing a game to be moved to Detroit and then TCF Bank Stadium. The iconic image of snow pouring through the collapsed roof went viral. Also hosted the Twins and multiple Final Fours. Demolished to make way for U.S. Bank Stadium.
Metropolitan Stadium (Bloomington, MN)
1961 - 1981
Demolished 1985
Capacity 48,446. Home of the Purple People Eaters and the four Super Bowl-losing Vikings teams of the 1970s. Demolished to build the Mall of America, which opened on the site in 1992. A plaque inside the mall marks where home plate was.
National Football Conference
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Current Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
2017Opened
71,000Capacity
$1.5BCost
39%Public Funded
RetractableRoof
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2017 - Present
Features an innovative "oculus" retractable roof that opens like a camera aperture. Known for having the most affordable concession prices in the NFL - $2 hot dogs, $3 nachos, $5 beers - a deliberate strategy by owner Arthur Blank that has been widely praised. Also home to Atlanta United (MLS). Hosted Super Bowl LIII (2019) and the 2018 CFP National Championship. The hotel tax-funded $200M in public contributions was approved before the stadium was built, over objections from opponents who argued the money should go to schools and infrastructure.
Georgia Dome
1992 - 2016
Demolished 2017
Capacity 71,228. Hosted two Super Bowls (XXVIII, XXXIII), multiple Final Fours, and the "dirty bird" era Falcons. Imploded on November 20, 2017, in a controlled demolition that became a viral video when the "smoke cloud" appeared to create a face.
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
1966 - 1991
Demolished 1997
Capacity 58,850. Shared with the Braves. Another cookie-cutter multi-purpose stadium nicknamed "The Launching Pad" for how far baseballs traveled. Demolished after the 1996 Olympics, when the Olympic stadium was converted into Turner Field for the Braves. The Falcons had already moved to the Georgia Dome.
Carolina Panthers
Current Stadium
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
1996Opened
74,867Capacity
$242MCost
23%Public Funded
Bank of America Stadium
1996 - Present
Originally Ericsson Stadium. Located in uptown Charlotte. Relatively low public subsidy (23%) compared to most NFL stadiums. Funded PSLs (permanent seat licenses) sold to fans. The Panthers were the first team to widely use PSLs for stadium funding - a model later adopted by many teams. Currently undergoing an $800M renovation program over 5-6 years including new seats, video boards, concessions, and improved accessibility.
Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)
1995
Still Standing
Capacity 81,000. Clemson University's "Death Valley." The Panthers played their inaugural season here while Bank of America Stadium was being finished in Charlotte, 135 miles away.
New Orleans Saints
Current Stadium
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
1975Opened
73,208Capacity
$134MOriginal Cost
100%Public Funded
Caesars Superdome (Louisiana Superdome)
1975 - Present
One of the most famous buildings in sports - and one of the most tragic. Built for $134M entirely with state bonds. Hosted seven Super Bowls. But during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the Superdome served as a "shelter of last resort" for 20,000+ displaced residents. The roof was damaged, conditions inside became horrific, and the images became a symbol of the failed government response. The Saints were displaced for the entire 2005 season, playing "home" games at Tiger Stadium (LSU) and the Alamodome in San Antonio. A $185M renovation brought the building back, and the Saints' first home game back on September 25, 2006 - a Monday Night Football win over the Falcons - was one of the most emotional moments in sports history.
Tulane Stadium
1967 - 1974
Demolished 1980
Capacity 80,985. A massive steel-and-concrete structure on Tulane University's campus. Hosted three Super Bowls (IV, VI, IX) before the Superdome was built. Demolished to make way for Tulane's Yulman Stadium, which opened in 2014.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current Stadium
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
1998Opened
65,890Capacity
$194MCost
83%Public Funded
Raymond James Stadium
1998 - Present
Famous for the 103-foot pirate ship in the north end zone that fires real cannons after touchdowns and scores. Built with 83% public funding ($162M from Hillsborough County via a half-cent community investment tax). Hosted three Super Bowls including Super Bowl LV (2021), where the Buccaneers became the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in their own home stadium. Also hosts the annual Outback Bowl. Tom Brady's final NFL years were played here.
Tampa Stadium ("The Big Sombrero")
1976 - 1997
Demolished 1999
Capacity 74,301. Nicknamed for its distinctive hat-like shape. Home to the historically awful early Bucs teams that went 0-26 to start the franchise (0-14 in 1976, 0-12 in 1977 before finally winning). Hosted Super Bowl XVIII and XXV. The Bucs threatened to move to Orlando or another city to leverage a new stadium deal, which produced Raymond James Stadium. Demolished in 1999.
National Football Conference
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Current Stadium
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ)
2006Opened
63,400Capacity
$455MCost
76%Public Funded
RetractableRoof
State Farm Stadium
2006 - Present
Features a retractable natural grass field that rolls outside the stadium on a track when not in use - the first of its kind in the US. Funded with a $331M tourism tax from Maricopa County (76% public). Hosted Super Bowls XLII (the Giants' 18-1 upset of the Patriots), XLIX (Malcolm Butler interception), and LVII. Also hosted the 2007 BCS National Championship.
Sun Devil Stadium (Tempe, AZ)
1988 - 2005
Still Standing (ASU)
Capacity 73,379. Arizona State's stadium. The Cardinals played here after moving from St. Louis in 1988. The team was originally the "Phoenix Cardinals" before becoming "Arizona Cardinals."
Busch Stadium / Comiskey Park / Wrigley Field / more
1920 - 1987
The Cardinals are the oldest franchise in continuous operation in the NFL (since 1898). They played in Chicago as the "Racine Cardinals" and "Chicago Cardinals" from 1920-59 (at Normal Park, Comiskey Park, Wrigley Field, and Soldier Field), then moved to St. Louis (Busch Stadium, 1960-87) before relocating to Phoenix. They've used more stadiums than any NFL franchise.
Los Angeles Rams
Current Stadium
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
2020Opened
70,240Capacity
$5.5BCost
0%Public Funded
SoFi Stadium
2020 - Present
The most expensive sports venue ever built at $5.5 billion - entirely privately funded by owner Stan Kroenke. Built on the site of the old Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood. The translucent ETFE roof allows natural light and airflow. The "Infinity Screen" is the largest 4K videoboard in sports. Will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LXI (2027), and the 2028 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and swimming events. The Rams won Super Bowl LVI here in 2022 - becoming only the second team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
LA Memorial Coliseum (temporary return)
2016 - 2019
Still Standing (USC)
Played here for 4 seasons while SoFi was under construction, in the same building where the original LA Rams played from 1946-79.
Edward Jones Dome (St. Louis)
1995 - 2015
Still Standing
Capacity 66,000. Built with $280M in public funds to lure the Rams from LA. After St. Louis couldn't meet stadium upgrade demands, Kroenke moved the team back to LA. The city is still paying off the $144M in remaining stadium bonds for a team that's gone. St. Louis sued the NFL and settled for $790M in 2022.
Anaheim Stadium / LA Coliseum
1946 - 1994
The Rams played at the LA Coliseum (1946-79) and then moved to Anaheim Stadium (1980-94), before owner Georgia Frontiere moved the team to St. Louis in 1995. Before LA, they were the Cleveland Rams (1936-45), making them a four-city franchise: Cleveland, LA, Anaheim, St. Louis, and back to LA.
San Francisco 49ers
Current Stadium
Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
2014Opened
68,500Capacity
$1.3BCost
17%Public Funded
Levi's Stadium
2014 - Present
Located in Santa Clara, about 45 miles south of San Francisco - a sore point for many fans. Relatively low public funding at ~17%. Hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016 and the 2019 CFP National Championship. One of the most high-tech stadiums in the NFL with a dedicated stadium app. The sunny side of the stadium gets brutally hot in early-season games, creating a notable disadvantage for visiting teams.
Candlestick Park (3Com Park, Monster Park)
1971 - 2013
Demolished 2015
Capacity 69,732. Famous for its swirling winds off San Francisco Bay. Home to the Joe Montana and Steve Young dynasties and 5 Super Bowl champions. The "Catch" - Dwight Clark's leaping touchdown from Montana to beat the Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship - happened here. Also hosted the Beatles' final concert (1966). Demolished in 2015 for housing development.
Kezar Stadium
1946 - 1970
Still Standing (reduced)
Capacity 59,636. Located in Golden Gate Park. The 49ers' original home for 25 years. Still exists but was rebuilt at a much smaller capacity (10,000) and hosts local sports.
Seattle Seahawks
Current Stadium
Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)
2002Opened
68,740Capacity
$360MCost
75%Public Funded
Lumen Field (CenturyLink Field, Qwest Field)
2002 - Present
Also known as Seahawks Stadium when it opened. Home of the "12th Man" - Seahawks fans are so loud they've literally caused seismic events. A Marshawn Lynch "Beast Quake" run in 2011 registered on a seismograph. The crowd once set a Guinness World Record at 137.6 dB. Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder) saved the team from moving to LA by buying it and funding 75% of the stadium through a statewide public vote (funded by a sports lottery). Allen died in 2018 - the team is now owned by the Jody Allen trust. Also home to the Seattle Sounders (MLS).
Husky Stadium (University of Washington)
2000 - 2001
Still Standing (UW)
Capacity 72,500. Temporary home for two seasons while the Kingdome was demolished and Lumen Field was being built. The Seahawks played here during the 2000 and 2001 NFL seasons.
Kingdome
1976 - 1999
Demolished 2000
Capacity 66,000. A concrete dome that was legendarily loud inside but also dropped ceiling tiles on fans. Acoustic tiles fell in 1994, forcing repairs and raising safety concerns. Imploded on March 26, 2000 - the largest building ever demolished by implosion at the time.
The Stadium Graveyard
Notable demolished NFL stadiums and what replaced them
| Stadium | Team(s) | Years Active | Demolished | What's There Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Stadium | Vikings | 1961-81 | 1985 | Mall of America |
| Polo Grounds | Giants, Jets (Titans) | 1925-63 | 1964 | Public housing |
| Shea Stadium | Jets | 1964-83 | 2009 | Citi Field parking lot |
| Texas Stadium | Cowboys | 1971-08 | 2010 | Mixed-use development |
| Three Rivers Stadium | Steelers | 1970-00 | 2001 | Parking lot (Acrisure/PNC) |
| Riverfront Stadium | Bengals | 1970-99 | 2002 | Great American Ball Park |
| Veterans Stadium | Eagles | 1971-02 | 2004 | Parking lots (South Philly complex) |
| Orange Bowl | Dolphins | 1966-86 | 2008 | Marlins' loanDepot park |
| Pontiac Silverdome | Lions | 1975-01 | 2018 | Amazon distribution center |
| Candlestick Park | 49ers | 1971-13 | 2015 | Housing development |
| Kingdome | Seahawks | 1976-99 | 2000 | Lumen Field / Event Center |
| Qualcomm Stadium | Chargers | 1967-16 | 2020 | SDSU's Snapdragon Stadium |
| RFK Stadium | Commanders | 1961-96 | 2025 | New Commanders stadium (planned 2030) |
| Georgia Dome | Falcons | 1992-16 | 2017 | Parking/green space for MBS |
| RCA Dome | Colts | 1984-07 | 2008 | Indiana Convention Center expansion |
| Metrodome | Vikings | 1982-13 | 2014 | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| Tulane Stadium | Saints | 1967-74 | 1980 | Tulane campus buildings |
The Bottom Line
NFL stadium history is a story of escalating excess. The Packers built Lambeau Field in 1957 for $960,000. The Bills' new stadium will cost $2.1 billion - a 2,187x increase. SoFi Stadium cost more than many countries' entire annual GDP.
Taxpayers have been on the hook for over $10 billion in stadium costs (including committed future projects), with billions more on the way as Buffalo, Tennessee, Cleveland, and potentially Chicago add new venues. Only five current stadiums were built without public money. The rest were funded by sales taxes, hotel taxes, municipal bonds, and other levies - often approved under the threat of the team leaving town.
Study after study shows these subsidies don't pay for themselves. But the threat works because cities would rather pay billions than lose their team. Just ask St. Louis, which is still paying off bonds on a stadium that sits empty after the Rams left for LA. Or Baltimore, which went 12 years without a team after the Colts snuck out in the middle of the night. Or Cleveland, which had to start over from scratch when the Browns moved to Baltimore.
The stadiums get bigger, fancier, and more expensive. The old ones get demolished. The bills get passed to the people who can't afford luxury boxes. That's the NFL stadium story. It has been this way for 50 years, and it isn't changing anytime soon.
Taxpayers have been on the hook for over $10 billion in stadium costs (including committed future projects), with billions more on the way as Buffalo, Tennessee, Cleveland, and potentially Chicago add new venues. Only five current stadiums were built without public money. The rest were funded by sales taxes, hotel taxes, municipal bonds, and other levies - often approved under the threat of the team leaving town.
Study after study shows these subsidies don't pay for themselves. But the threat works because cities would rather pay billions than lose their team. Just ask St. Louis, which is still paying off bonds on a stadium that sits empty after the Rams left for LA. Or Baltimore, which went 12 years without a team after the Colts snuck out in the middle of the night. Or Cleveland, which had to start over from scratch when the Browns moved to Baltimore.
The stadiums get bigger, fancier, and more expensive. The old ones get demolished. The bills get passed to the people who can't afford luxury boxes. That's the NFL stadium story. It has been this way for 50 years, and it isn't changing anytime soon.
