College football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. So popular in fact that last year alone, The University of Texas at Austin brought in $161,532,860 in revenue just with it’s football program (the top grossing of all programs last year).
For many, football is more than just a game; it’s about passionate fans coming together, thrilling rivalries, and exciting atmospheres. And a big part of that atmosphere? The stadiums themselves.
At first glance, these stadiums are just a structure with a field, seats, and concessions. But on game day, it comes alive as a place where memories are made. It’s filled with cheerful noise and excitement among a sea of tens of thousands of fans decked out in their team’s colors. Let’s take a look at the 25 largest college football stadiums in the US!
The Rise of College Football Stadiums
Michigan Stadium seating capacity: 107,601.
It all began in 1869 with a game between Rutgers and Princeton (then the College of New Jersey) who played before a mere 100 spectators. Fast forward to the early 1920s, and radio brought the sport into living rooms, with audiences growing to a few thousand. Television further amplified the sport’s popularity, and with it, the demand to accommodate the growing fans.
But these stadiums aren’t just about watching a game. It’s about the entire gameday experience—tailgating in the parking lots, grabbing the latest team gear at the store, and choosing from all the delicious food items. As the national obsession with college football continues to grow, these stadiums constantly evolve and improve to keep up.
The 25 Largest College Stadiums
The biggest college stadiums are determined by seating capacity and overall size. Their size is notable, but they each also have unique characteristics and traditions that make them well-loved among their fans. As of 2023, here are the top 25 largest college football stadiums by capacity in the United States:
1. Michigan Stadium – University of Michigan – 107,601 CapacIty
Nicknamed “The Big House,” it boasts the highest recorded attendance for a college football game—115,109 in 2013! The stadium opened in 1927 and has hosted the NHL Winter Classic, the International Champions Cup soccer match, and other events. It also ranks as the 5th highest sports program revenue in the country.
2. Beaver Stadium – Penn State – 106,572 CapacIty
Home to Penn State’s Nittany Lions, Beaver Stadium is famous for its intimidating atmosphere, especially at night when fans turn on their white lights, creating a sea of glowing humanity. In 2018, Beaver Stadium set its attendance record when 110,889 fans watched Penn State-Ohio State.
3. Ohio Stadium – Ohio State Buckeyes – 102,780 CAPACITY
This stadium opened in 1922 and is also known as “The Horseshoe” due to its unique shape. Since its opening, it has undergone many renovations and expansions to increase the seating capacity. Ohio Stadium had its largest crowd in 2016 when 110,045 fans were in attendance to watch them beat Michigan in double-overtime. This stadium has many traditions with a crowd favorite being when the marching band plays their unique “Script Ohio.”
4. Kyle Field – Texas A&M – 102,733 CAPACITY
Kyle Field is known for its 12th Man tradition, where a designated student section stands throughout the entire game, creating a constant wall of noise and energy. This stadium was built in 1927 and set its attendance record in 2014 when 110,633 fans watched Texas A&M-Ole Miss.
5. Tiger Stadium – LSU – 102,321 CAPCITY
Tiger Stadium opened on LSU’s campus in 1924. Fans begin tailgating on Thursdays, eager to participate in all the festivities. However, for opponents, Tiger Stadium is an intimidating venue that has been called one of the most dreaded road playing sites in all of college football. Tiger Stadium set its attendance record 16 times, most recently on Nov. 11, 2023, when they played against Florida.
The List Continues…
6. Tennessee Neyland Stadium – University of Tennessee – 101,915
7. Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium – University of Alabama – 101,821
8. Texas Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium – University of Texas at Austin – 100,119
9. Georgia Sanford Stadium – University of Georgia – 92,746
10. UCLA Rose Bowl – UCLA – 91,136
11. Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – University of Florida – 88,548
12. Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn University – 87,451
13. Oklahoma Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – University of Oklahoma – 86,112
14. Nebraska Memorial Stadium – University of Nebraska–Lincoln – 85,458
15. Clemson Clemson Memorial Stadium – Clemson University – 81,500
16. Notre Dame Notre Dame Stadium – University of Notre Dame – 80,795
17. Florida State Doak Campbell Stadium – Florida State University – 79,560
18. South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium – University of South Carolina – 77,559
19. Southern Cal Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – University of Southern California – 77,500
20. Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium – University of Wisconsin-Madison – 75,822
21. Michigan State Spartan Stadium – Michigan State University – 74,866
22. Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium – University of Arkansas – 72,000
23. Washington Husky Stadium – University of Washington – 70,138
24. Iowa Kinnick Stadium – University of Iowa – 69,250
25. Temple Lincoln Financial Field – Temple University – 68,532
Just imagine: It’s a Saturday gameday and you head to your college’s football stadium ready to cheer your lungs out with your friends. This kind of energy is what makes college football so awesome. The stadiums are not just structures, but a place where traditions are born and memories are made for a lifetime. Next time you’re watching a college football game, take a moment to appreciate the incredible stadium where it’s all happening. It’s a big part of what makes this sport so special.
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