Stadium Reviews

On Thursday, November 6, Rice University announced a new project that is being billed as “transformative” in its objectives. At the top of the list is renovations to historic Rice Stadium.

Fordham University has one of the oldest college football programs in the country, having started it back in 1882. The school’s football squad, the Rams, currently competes in the Pioneer League of the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Wien Stadium has grandstands on both sides, as well as a videoboard behind one end zone. They have a band, cheerleaders, and a costumed Lion mascot named Roar-ee.

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium’s setting is one of the more picturesque places in the SEC. The stadium’s upper deck view of the vistas and surrounding Boston Mountains on the south side shows off the beauty of The Natural State.

Abilene Christian has averaged well above 9000 fans per game since Anthony Field opened in 2017. This has created a home field advantage for the Wildcats, which has led to some exciting games and big upsets in the past few years.

Once inside the facility, the history of the stadium shines through, and that’s its selling point.

The fun at a Carolina Panthers game day begins with tailgating both outside and inside the stadium; the gates open 2 hours before game time, but you can get in early if you are attending one of the tailgates.

Game day at Fortera Stadium begins when Tailgate Alley coming to life three hours before kickoff. Just west of the stadium in Lot 6, tents rise, the smell of grills fills the air, and you can hear music from a DJ.

The bright blue and yellow colors at Phil Simms Stadium really pop, and the scoreboard behind the south end zone is easy to read.

Despite its small size, and lack of fans during certain games, Carl Smith Stadium is a modern-looking venue, with plenty of signage showing off the Cavs.

In the northeast suburbs of Atlanta, Buford High School has raised the stakes with the unveiling of its $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium, one of the most lavish high school football facilities in the nation.

New Orleans is the ultimate party city, and Saints game days are no exception – the celebration starts long before kickoff.

In addition to new/replacement teams, the UFL also announced updated team names and new venues for two of its legacy teams.

Compared to similarly-sized venues, Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium offers a great atmosphere on gameday.

It was on the shoulders of Pro Football Hall of Famers Marion Motley, Deacon Jones, Donnie Shell, and Harry Carson that much of the legacy of South Carolina State football was built.

Game day in Murfreesboro kicks off in Walnut Grove with the Blue Raider “Party in the Grove” – this center of tailgating comes alive about three hours before kickoff.

The atmosphere at Benedictine University Eagles games is okay; nothing stands out especially, but they do play fun music, and the PA announcer is a lot of fun.

These days, many things that are simply “old” are designated as “historic.” In the case of Harvard Stadium, while the facility is certainly the former, it is definitely the latter. A visit to the banks of the Charles River should be on the bucket list for any serious college football fan.

Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium serves as the temporary home for Northwestern Wildcats football while their old stadium is being rebuilt, and as temporary homes go, this facility is actually pretty amazing.

The game day atmosphere begins in the grassy tailgating fields beyond the outfield fence of Elton Pollak Field, where fans fire up grills, watch early games, and play cornhole or participate in any of the other tailgating staples.