Stadium Journey's Top 25 FCS Stadium Ranking 2025
- Lloyd Brown
- 23 hours ago
- 7 min read
The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) playoffs are now underway, with the National Championship game taking place in January 2026 in Nashville, TN. While the champion will be determined on the field, Stadium Journey focuses on the activity in the stands and around the stadium.
To do this, we use our FANFARE scoring system, which evaluates all the factors that encompass the gameday experience: food, atmosphere, neighborhood, fan support, accessibility, return on investment, and extras (anything that is unique to that stadium).
We proudly present our list of the top 25 stadiums in the FCS. Several stadiums had identical scores, and we broke any ties by a vote of our reviewers. We don’t expect you to agree with some of these rankings. In fact, we encourage you to have lively discussions with your fellow football fans. Feel free to share your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky pages.
Jason Karp - Our top-rated stadium features spectacular natural surroundings, a lively fanbase, close up views of the action and an always competitive team year after year.
(Lloyd Brown) The natural setting at the base of a mountain forms a stunning backdrop for Buccaneer games, especially when the fall foliage color is at its height. The Buccaneer Band kicks off the gameday activity with a parade and the team walk to the stadium.
Aaron S. Terry - The Bobcat Nation has impressed us with their enthusiasm throughout the season. They are on their feet early, as the Stampede is one of the best team entry celebrations we’ve ever witnessed.
Lloyd Brown - The on-campus Harlan Hunter Stadium is truly the pride of the Lions nation. It features a sleek modern design and one of the largest videoboards in the FCS. The pregame tailgate draws alumni from all over Missouri to the campus hours prior to the kickoff.
Aaron S. Terry - The pageantry of a football game at a service academy is something truly special. This is very true at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. The entire cadet corps marches from the campus to the off-campus Johnson Hagood Stadium prior to each contest. Recent renovations to the stadium have increased seating capacity, and the fieldhouse at one end of the stadium features a façade that mimics the architecture found throughout the Citadel campus.
Terry McCutchen - 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.
Aaron S. Terry - The Tiger’s lair includes a feature that is a necessity in the hot weather the Houston area experiences in the early fall. A canopy extends out over most of the seating areas in the stadium, providing shade for the Texas Southern and visiting fans alike. The stadium is also located near most of Houston’s top tourist sights.
Terry McCutcheon - Tarleton State football, though a new participant at the NCAA Division 1 FCS level, provides a quality game day atmosphere. Replete with energetic students, supportive alumni, and high quality in-game presentation, Texans games are top notch events.
Will Halpern - The home of the Phoenix is rising in our ratings based on the great sight lines, tasty North Carolina BBQ being served at its concession stands and the sounds coming from the Fire of the Carolinas Band. The Phoenix faithful arrive early and stay late for an all-day party.
Gregory Koch - Like many other structures in Philadelphia, Penn Stadium is steeped in history, as it is one of the oldest college football venues in the country. It is the home field for the Penn Quakers football games, has hosted numerous Army-Navy games and has hosted several Philadelphia Eagles games when there has been a scheduling conflict.
Will Halpern - North Carolina A&T State University has been one of the football powerhouses in the MEAC and throughout HBCU Football, and have a passionate fan base to match. The campus is decked in Blue and Gold with chants of Aggie Pride coming from the more than twelve thousand students, and thousands more alumni throughout the season.
Lloyd Brown - All aboard for a fun gameday experience at the home of the Mocs. The party gets underway at the Pavilion across the street from Finley Stadium, with the Marching Mocs, the cheer squads performing at the tailgating event and the Mocs football team doing their pregame walk through the crowd on their way to the stadium. Once inside the stadium, there are food trucks serving a wide variety of foods. After the games end, Finley Stadium is just a short distance from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium, two of the city’s top tourist attractions.
Joseph Oakes - Oh, what a wonderful web they weave! A lovely, wooded setting, great concession items, a fun zone for the kids and capacity crowds add up to a great football experience in the capital city of Virginia. Historic Williamsburg is nearby, making it a great option for a long family weekend in the fall.
Lloyd Brown - As our top-rated indoor facility, the Fargodome also has the best tailgating scene outside of any FCS venue. Once inside, the noise created by the Bison faithful can be deafening, making it difficult for the visiting team to communicate. Most important, the Fargodome provides refuge from the harsh winter weather that typically moves into the area by the end of the season.
Lloyd Brown - The Jackrabbits have Dykhouse Stadium hopping well before the opening kickoff. SDSU fans have a great reputation for their tailgating acumen, which always includes a stop at the campus dairy store for its famous ice cream. Low ticket prices, one of the largest videoboards in an FCS venue, wonderful sightlines and frequent national championship seasons all add up to some great Saturdays in Brookings.
Paul Baker - One of the most historic sports venues in the country, Harvard Stadium was the nation’s first stadium built specifically for football. It is especially known for the Harvard-Yale rivalry game. It was also the scene of the first forward pass in college football history.
Eric Moreno - The Vaqueros are one of more recent additions to the FCS level of football. Rather than taking on the immense expense of building a brand-new stadium from the ground up, the school chose to use an existing minor league soccer stadium and convert it for the American version of football. The accountants and the local fanbase are very happy about that decision, as it saved millions of dollars and provided a ready-to-use stadium that has sold out every game since the Vaqueros moved there.
Lloyd Brown - Davidson College’s new stadium replaces the 100-year-old Richardson Stadium, which will now be used for track and field events. The new venue offers a wide variety of concession items, close-to-the-field seating experience and an extensive electronics package that were not possible in its former home.
Lloyd Brown - What’s purple and silver all over? The playing surface at First Security Field at the University of Central Arkansas. This creates an immediate strong impression for fans watching a Bears’ home game. A high scoring offense, low-ticket prices and an on-campus location add to the gameday experience. Fans can follow every play on the expansive videoboard rising above the south end zone.
Connor Commeau - Stewart Stadium is located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in Ogden Utah. The Wildcats typically schedule late afternoon games, which allow fans to experience a spectacular view of the sunsets the area enjoys. The stadium features an affordable family experience for both locals and visiting fans.
Matthew Collins - Powers Field is a modern facility at a school known for its old, historic buildings. Tiger fans enjoy the many amenities made possible by the recent rebuilding of the stadium. It is very close to the central campus, which makes it very easy for the campus community to get to the games without needing a car. The Tiger statues just outside of the stadium make a great backdrop for selfies.
Aaron S. Terry - A visit to the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, South Dakota is an excellent way to see college football. You can take in some great scenery, while also enjoying a game in comfort and style without having to brave the elements – that alone makes this a stadium worth journeying. You also get to experience one of the toughest intrastate rivalry games in the country when the Coyotes welcome the SDSU Jackrabbits at the Dakota Dome every two years.
Paul Donaldson - “The Hole” is the second HBCU stadium on our list. It offers low ticket prices, some uniquely Cajun concessions offerings and a great P.A. announcer. The Cowboys are known for their up-tempo offense, which tends to wear out the opposition late in the games.
Gregory Koch - Though Georgetown University is best known for basketball, it also fields a football team. Cooper Field, seating just 3,750, is among the smallest venues in Division I. Its location on campus makes attending games easy for students, and it stands as the only D1 college football program in Washington, D.C.
Lloyd Brown - The Tommies are relative newcomers to the FCS, jumping from Division III to Division I in 2021. However, their home field, O’Shaughnessy Stadium, has been around since 1948. It features the purple school colors prominently throughout the seating area, the press box and the end zones. The stadium features the same stone exterior material used in all the campus buildings. One of the nice period touches on the stadium exterior are the carved bas relief football figures from a bygone era.
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