M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore Ravens

Photos by Richard Smith, Emmy Smith, and Jennifer Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71

M&T Bank Stadium 1101 Russell St Baltimore, MD 21230

Baltimore Ravens website M&T Bank Stadium website

Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 70,745

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Home of the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens gave the fans of “Charm City” a new beginning in 1996 when they started operations after the Cleveland Browns moved to the Maryland city. As part of a settlement between the league and the city of Cleveland, Art Modell was required to leave the Browns’ history and records in Cleveland for a replacement team. Since their “new beginning,” the Ravens have won two Super Bowl titles.

The city of Baltimore has a history of winning teams. The Baltimore Colts won the NFL Championship game before the Super Bowl even existed, in 1958 and 1959, as well as the Super Bowl in 1971. The Baltimore Stars of the USFL were led by coach Jim Mora to that league’s championship in 1985, the final year of the league and team. And of course, the well-loved Canadian Football franchise, the Baltimore CFL Colts/Stallions, won in 1995, before the Ravens came to town and prompted their move to Montreal, where they became the Alouettes. Those seven championships show that Baltimore is a hard-nosed football town with a history of success.

After playing their first two years at the venerable old Memorial Stadium, the team has made what is now known as M&T Bank Stadium home. The 70,745-seat stadium has undergone numerous renovations over the years. The team continually updates the stadium in many ways each year, and it always feels fresh and new.

The Ravens announced a multi-year project (2024-2026) to enhance the Stadium with significant projects. The Ravens are using a projected $430 million of the $600 million of state funds allotted for stadium improvements. The funds came with the renewal of the Ravens' lease, which will keep them in M&T Bank Stadium through at least the 2037 season. As of the 2025 season, many of the projects are halfway done, with the following seasons seeing new, enhanced entrances and clubs.

Food & Beverage 5

The Ravens have good-quality concession stands around the stadium. Many stands offer options such as beer, chili bowls, pizza, and hot dogs. Stands have generic names, such as Goal Line Grill, Kickoff Classics, and the Chesapeake Market. There are also outposts of local favorites, as well as Shake Shack.

There are also a few full-service bars scattered around offering top-shelf spirits and premium drinks. Several kiosks also sell a variety of domestic and craft beers.

The stadium has followed Atlanta's lead and begun offering many lower-priced, value options. This has made an already good food experience even better.

Atmosphere 5

From the Ravenswalk area outside the stadium to the purple seats and concourse lighting, the Ravens have set a fine stage for enjoying NFL football. Expect the games to be loud inside the stadium. Every play, whether on defense or offense, will have fans screaming at every detail. Even memorable team plays are carefully reviewed. The fans are knowledgeable about all aspects of the game.

Ravenswalk leads the fans from downtown and Oriole Park towards M&T Bank Stadium. It has always been a good place for fans to enjoy pre-game activities. The team has increased the entertainment and food offerings in this area, making it an even more enjoyable place to spend some time.

Make sure to be in this area when the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band makes its way towards the game. One favorite here is the cocktail bar, which offers decent-priced drinks and a pretty impressive Bloody Mary bar.

One should also stop by to see the text of the former facade from Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, which is on display between the two stadiums. The text was a memorial to those killed in the two World Wars. The main words of “TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS” remind visitors of those this nation lost in the past. The line is a quote from Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

The large video boards, known as RavensVision, past both end zones, are amazing visual spectacles. The vertical screens in each corner enhance the game viewing options.

The Ravens cheerleading squad and mascot Poe offer traditional cheering options. Note that the cheerleading squad has a male stunt squad, as well. The Poe mascot has now seen his brothers, Edgar and Allen, re-added to the mascot mix. In 2022, the brothers stood in for Poe when he went down with a devastating wing injury. The fans are happy to see all three at the game in 2023.

The "MO" in Baltimore is colored differently in the end zones from the rest of the city name. This is to honor the late Mo Gaba, who passed in 2020 at the age of 14. Mo was a Baltimore super-fan who, despite battling cancer for most of his life and later losing his sight, became a favorite of all Baltimore athletes. Gaba was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame in July 2020 and, in 2019, became the first person to announce an NFL draft pick written in Braille. The Ravens continue to honor Mo 3 years after his passing.

The stadium signage is consistent, modern, and appropriate. Purple lighting effects are seen everywhere. The team is constantly adding new ways to enhance the purple-ness of the stadium. Signage, flashing LED lights, and screens make you see purple everywhere, just as they want.

One major complaint of M&T Bank Stadium had been the lack of escalators to the upper deck. But a few years back, they added escalators to this area, so fans no longer have to hoof it up and down stairs or long ramps.

Neighborhood 4

The neighborhood is generally the same as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but it does suffer a bit because it is farther from downtown Baltimore. The newly opened Horseshoe Casino, located south of the stadium, has the potential to make this “other” side of the stadium more and more critical to the Ravens’ social scene.

Close to the stadium, and right across from Oriole Park, are Pickles Pub and Sliders Bar & Grille. The Federal Hill neighborhood is also close by. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro (1041 Marshall Street) is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Mother’s (1113 S Charles Street) and Magerks (1061 S Charles Street) are also good places for a pre- or postgame meal.

The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist destination and is a short walk from M&T Bank Stadium. There is a movement by a local developer to redevelop the already famous Harborplace into a state-of-the-art living and working area. Currently, the existing pavilions are underused.

Baltimore is home to many touristy attractions, such as Fells Point and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, though its unique collection may not be for everyone.

Baltimore is, and has always been, an urban environment where you should stay aware of your surroundings. Use common sense, and everything will be fine —you will have a great time.

Fans 5

Baltimore is a football town. They love smash-mouth football and have no problem if the defense wins the game by smothering their opponents. Even when there was no NFL team in the city, they embraced football variations offered by the USFL and the CFL in ways other cities may struggle to match. Fans will still respect fans who wear the opposing team’s colors, but they should not expect too much love. The fans are serious about the Ravens and defensive football.

Just like at Oriole Park, the Ravens’ fans commemorate the local creation of the Star-Spangled Banner, and the love of the other big league team in town, by shouting a loud “O!!!!!!” during the appropriate spot in the anthem. In other places, this would seem disrespectful, but in Baltimore, it shows the love for the country and the team. If you hear that yell at different parks throughout the country, rest assured that there is a Baltimore fan in the house. Fans also love to chant along to “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes.

Access 5

M&T Bank Stadium is right off I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages are located in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. Check the parking link on the Ravens’ website to find bargains that are a pretty close walk away.

If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark. The Light Rail is slow, so make sure you know that beforehand. The crowds will be overwhelming after the game.

Return on Investment 4

An NFL game is expensive. There is no way around it. You do get a good deal because of the high entertainment value and the extremely high level of competition. Parking costs, if done correctly and cheaply, can help alleviate some expenses. The Ravens make sure the fans know they are valued for spending their money on the team.

Free programs are available for all games, and the pregame ritual of walking the Ravenswalk (located between the two Camden Yards stadiums) is a treat for all fans.

Extras 5

The Johnny Unitas statue is usually located at the end of Ravenswalk. In front of the stadium, it is a gathering spot for pregame meetings and a place to honor the Baltimore Colts legend. A Ray Lewis statue was later added to celebrate one of the other most important Baltimore football players. Ravenswalk is the place to be and watch the excitement of the game day grow to a fever pitch. Both statues are temporarily located on the south side of the stadium while the north plaza is renovated into a new experience.

One of the few marching bands in professional football, the Marching Ravens plays at Ravenswalk and at various points during the game. This is the same band that was known as the Baltimore Colts’ Marching Band and was started in 1947.

The newly spent renovations and additions have made the purple colors and signage seem consistent and scream out RAVENS at every turn.

Final Thoughts

M&T Bank Stadium shows that the Ravens have done an outstanding job with their franchise. The fans who attend will always have a memorable game day experience and get good value.