Top 12 Stadiums Where the Number 12 is Retired

The number 12 is commonly worn in all four of the major sports leagues of North America. And wouldn't you know it? Of the 122 teams of the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB only 12 have retired the number 12. Here is our Top 12 of those venues based on the Stadium Journey ranking of the overall stadium experience.

1. Bell Centre - Home of the Montreal Canadiens

   

   Yvan Cournoyer and Dickie Moore

   The Canadiens have a magnificent Hall of Fame at their lower level near the quadrangle area on the North side of the building near the main train station. You enter from this side and down some steps. Allow 45 minutes to see it all. You enter with a display of the franchise's finest players and personnel. Artifacts include the front concrete sign with crossed sticks from the historic Forum, the predecessor to the Bell Centre, various jerseys, sticks and pucks from important games, the ultimate hockey card display, and a replica train car like the team travelled on to games in the Original Six years.

2. CenturyLink Field - Home of the Seattle Seahawks

   

   The Fans (The 12th Man)

   It is hard to think of the Seattle Seahawks without the 12th Man coming to mind, particularly when pondering home games. They take pride in making noise and disrupting opposing offenses. Following a 2005 game vs. the New York Giants, head coach Mike Holmgren gave a game ball to the crowd.

3. EnergySolutions Arena - Home of the Utah Jazz

   

   John Stockton

   The defining characteristic of EnergySolutions Arena is volume. Jazz fans consistently rank among the loudest in the NBA, even during "down" years. If you have sensitive hearing (or want to prevent having it), earplugs are always available at guest services. Otherwise, be prepared to soak in (or bring) the noise.

4. Tropicana Field - Home of the Tampa Bay Rays

   

   Wade Boggs

   Overall, the Trop - like Tampa Bay as a whole and St. Pete in particular - is quirky, but in a very lovable way. It has the same features as other great ballparks around the league, just in a form in which you may not be used to seeing.

5. Sun Life Stadium - Home of the Miami Dolphins

   

   Bob Griese

   Home for the Dolphins is the former Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphin/Dolphins/Land Shark Stadium currently known as Sun Life Stadium. Built in 1987 as a replacement for the iconic Orange Bowl, Sun Life Stadium has been home for the Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes football team, the Orange Bowl game and until 2011, the Florida Marlins. It has also hosted numerous Super Bowls, and National Championships in NCAA football.

6. Rogers Centre - Home of the Toronto Blue Jays

   

   Roberto Alomar

   In 1989, Toronto opened the SkyDome. It was state of the art in every sense of the word and was casually referred to as the next wonder of the world (right after Andre the Giant). It helped put Toronto in the centre of the sporting universe and made the Blue Jays the envy of the league. The SkyDome put the Jays at the top of the attendance heap in Major League Baseball and gave the team the needed revenue to help them build World Series Championship teams in 1992 and 1993.

7. Ralph Wilson Stadium - Home of the Buffalo Bills

   

   Jim Kelly

   Known affectionately as "The Ralph", the home of the NFL Buffalo Bills was constructed by the taxpayers of Erie County and opened in 1973. This is the second venue for the Bills, who played in their first 12 years of existence at the old War Memorial Stadium in the city.

8. Rogers Arena - Home of the Vancouver Canucks

   

   Stan Smyl

   The 16,966 seats available while the Canucks are playing at Rogers Arena give it a bit of a cozy feel in the stadium, in a good way. Vancouver is known as a hockey town, so having a stadium full of people who love the sport makes the game fun for fans of any team.

9. MetLife Stadium - Home of the New York Jets

   

   Joe Namath

   The stadium is gigantic compared to its predecessor, Giants Stadium which was much more intimate. Since you're so spaced out from the action here, the crowd reaction isn't what it used to be. Jet fans have a reputation of being more abusive than Giant fans though.

10. Joe Louis Arena - Home of the Detroit Red Wings

    

    Sid Abel

    Really the highlight of any Red Wings game is the team itself. The Red Wings have made the playoffs every season since 1991, the longest streak in the history of the four major sports.

11. Candlestick Park - Home of the San Francisco 49ers

    

    John Brodie

    Candlestick Park is one of the more unique stadiums around in that it has had such widespread disdain for most, if not all, of its existence. Originally built to be the home of the San Francisco Giants after their move from Seals Stadium in 1960, The Stick held just over 43,000 spectators upon opening. Since its inception Giants and 49ers fans have lamented about the swirling wind, fog blankets, and dewy conditions.

12. Sleep Train Arena - Home of the Sacramento Kings

    

    Maurice Stokes

    Back in the day, when the Kings could make a legitimate claim as Western Conference royalty, the arena was absolutely jumping. It was loud, Guinness World Record loud at 130 decibels. But while the team was winning on the court, the stadium wasn't getting any younger-and to be honest, it wasn't any great shakes to start with.