10 Loudest Stadium In The NFL

Team: Indianapolis Colts

Capacity: 70,000

Lucas Oil Stadium, which replaced the iconic RCA Dome as the home of the Indianapolis Colts, makes the top ten list of the loudest stadiums. Located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, Lucas Oil has seen some of the loudest fans in the NFL. 

It had hosted some of the biggest games in history, like Super Bowl XLVI when The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots. Moreover, legendary players like Peyton Manning, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time with two super bowl rings, have called this stadium his home.

Although the average noise in this stadium reaches about 86 decibels, it is one of the loudest in the entire NFL. This arena which has been operating since 2008, had a cost of US$720 million during its construction. 

The stadium, with a seating capacity of 67,000 (which can be extended to 70,000), also serves as the home for the Drum Corps International Championships.

Before the new stadium’s construction in 2006, Lucas Oil, a producer, and marketer of lubricants, additives, and automotive oil, contracted to pay $122 million for the naming rights to the facility over the next 20 years.

The crowd at Lucas Oil does more than rock during Colts games. It will host the Final Four every five years from now to 2040.

Next time you visit this stadium, bring something to protect your ears, as the environment is downright electrifying.

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Capacity: 68,400

Located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Acrisure Stadium might not be the largest stadium in NFL, but it is one of the loudest. 

Home of the National Football League team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, since 2001, it is one of the most iconic stadiums in American football. It has also served as home for the NCAA Football team, the Pittsburgh Panthers, in the Atlantic Coast Conference. 

Footballing icon Troy Polamalu has played his entire career, calling this stadium his home winning two super bowls (XL, XLIII).

However, even though the stadium has a lesser capacity than venues like Lucas Oil Stadium, the noise is still relatively high. Once a fan recorded the sound measurement as 90 decibels.

It’s okay if you were unaware that the Pittsburgh Steelers played at Acrisure Stadium. After 20 years as Heinz Field, the name changed for the 2022 season to Acrisure Stadium. The City of Pittsburgh approved the proposal by Acrisure to buy the naming rights in 2022.

It has been operating since 2001 and was constructed with a total cost of US$281 million. The most people to attend this stadium was during the Garth Brooks concert on May 18, 2019, when 75,000 people cheered in the stands. The arena was expanded in capacity in 2015.

This venue has operated some of the most electrifying performances in different sports and concerts. However, this legendary stadium is yet to host a Super Bowl.

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Capacity: 80,000

AT&T Stadium is the third-largest stadium in NFL by capacity. Previously known as Cowboys Stadium, AT&T Stadium is located in Arlington, Texas, and serves as the home to the Dallas Cowboys.

If you are confused about whether it’s called Cowboys Stadium or AT&T Stadium, call it Jerry world. It was named after Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who envisioned it as a large entertainment venue.

The average sound of the arena is 87 decibels.

Due to the stadium’s adaptable capacity, Jerry World experiences a lot of crowd noise. The “Party Pass” choices behind the end zones allow the attendance of 80,000 to 105,000 spectators for any game. 

The Cowboys’ game against the New York Giants at Jerry World in 2009 had a record-breaking 105,121 spectators, breaking the NFL regular-season attendance record.

Moreover, it hosted significant Football games, like Super Bowl XLV, on February 6, 2011. The American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers. 

The stadium’s building cost rose significantly from the initial estimate of $650 million to $1.15 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports stadiums ever constructed.

The cost has been a good investment, considering the recent success and popularity of the arena at the grandest stage.

Team: New England Patriots

Capacity: 65,878

Based in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium is the home of the iconic NFL team, The New England Patriots. This arena replaced the Foxboro Stadium in 2001. 

The relatively lower capacity compared to AT&T stadium can be deceiving as the average noise in this place reaches more than an average NFL game. For instance, the sound ran a high of 106.4 decibels in 2011.

The location has played home to the NFL’s nationally broadcast primetime season openers in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019. It was when the Patriots raised their title banners from Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, LI, and LIII.

The Stadium has been operating since May 2002 and is also the home of New England Revolution, a Major League Soccer team. Before Gillette acquired the naming rights, the Stadium was previously known as CMGI Field.

The Stadium is owned and run by Kraft Sports Group, a division of the Kraft Group, the organization through which billionaire Robert Kraft owns the Patriots and Revolution. It was constructed with a total cost of $325 million. 

In addition, many other things make this Stadium so unique. For instance, many legendary players like Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback with seven Super Bowl rings, have called this arena his home for 20 years.

Along with some of the significant events in the past, the Stadium will host several games during the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Crowd noise is definitely helpful in winning games, and the Pats’ dedicated fanbase has delivered the thunder practically every time they’ve played at home.

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Capacity: 66,860 (Expandable upto 73,000)

U.S. Bank Stadium has been the home of the Minnesota Vikings since 2016. This stadium is one of the most fantastic NFL stadiums out there. 

Similarly, this stadium is one of the loudest as well. U.S. Bank Stadium, built for little over $1 billion, has some of the loudest NFL fans in recent memory and hosted a Super Bowl less than two years after it opened.

It is the seventh most expensive NFL stadium. Furthermore, it was the NFL’s first fixed-roof stadium constructed following the 2002 opening of Ford Field in Detroit.

The highest loudness level on this ground was measured at 120.1 decibels. It was during “The Minneapolis Miracle” when the crowd erupted after Stefon Diggs caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum with seconds left in an NFC divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018. 

The seating capacity is 66,860, which is higher than the Metrodome. However, the stadium can accommodate 73,000 spectators for exceptional events like the Super Bowl and soccer matches. 

The NFL chose Minneapolis to host Super Bowl LII on May 20, 2014, defeating bids from Indianapolis and New Orleans. The Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots competed in Super Bowl LII at the stadium on February 4, 2018. The Eagles won 41–33 and claimed their first championship.

This arena saw a record attendance of 72,711 in the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Virginia Cavaliers won against Texas Tech Red Raiders 85–77 in overtime.

The Minnesota Vikings fans are usually known for their energetic display when the team plays at home ground.

Team: Green Bay Packers 

Capacity: 81,441

Lambeau Field has been the home ground of the Green Bay Packers since 1957. It is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The arena, which has been operating for the past 65 years, was initially named City Stadium. Green Bay East High School serves as the Packers’ home field, taking the place of the original City Stadium.

It was referred to as New City Stadium for its first eight seasons; however, in August 1965, it was renamed in honor of Packers founder, player, and longtime head coach Curly Lambeau.

It has been widely reported as the best stadium in NFL, also mentioning it is one of the loudest. It is also one of the most audible noises maxing at about 123 decibels. 

Without a doubt, the sound at Lambeau Field is what amplifies the noise and makes it so intimidating for the opposing side.

One of the biggest stadiums with a seating capacity of 81441, this arena is known for its cold weather.

The 1967 NFL Championship Game between the Packers and Dallas Cowboys was among the most memorable. With temperatures averaging around -36 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill factor, this game is generally called “The Ice Bowl.” Nevertheless, the Packers won the game by 21-17.

Although it is one of the biggest stadiums in the NFL, it was constructed for just $960,000. It was equivalent to $435 million in 2021.

This arena had a record attendance of 79,704 on January 11, 2015, during NFC Divisional Playoff Game between Green Bay and Dallas. 

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Capacity: 63,400

West of Phoenix, State Farm Stadium is the home ground for the Arizona Cardinals and the annual Fiesta Bowl. Located in Glendale, Arizona, this Arena replaced Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe in 2006.

You might be shocked to learn that Arizona Cardinals supporters can make a ton of noise in the Arizona desert; when State Farm Stadium fills capacity, the number goes over 70,000.

It has a capacity of 63400 but can be expanded up to 72,200. The decibel level in this arena has hit 130 decibels, one of the loudest sounds ever recorded in an NFL game.

This Arena had already hosted Super Bowl XLII in 2008 when the New York Giants defeated the New England, Patriots, 17-14. Moreover, it also hosted Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 when The Patriots defeated the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks 28-24. 

This iconic stadium is also set to host Super Bowl LVII in 2023.

It was constructed with a cost of $455 million, equivalent to $612 million today. The Arena saw record attendance with 77,612 fans during Oregon – North Carolina game in NCAA Final Four. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Oregon ducks with a score of 77-76 o April 1, 2017.

The San Francisco 49ers were forced to play their final three home games at State Farm Stadium in 2020 due to Santa Clara County’s new COVID-19 rules banning contact sports. As a result, this stadium also acted as a home group for the Cardinals’ NFL rival, The San Francisco 49ers, in 2020. 

Team: New Orleans Saints

Capacity: 74,295

The Caesars Superdome was inaugurated in 1975 and is one of the first NFL venues in history. It was once known as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Superdome crowd provides the Saints an edge, and the mayhem ensues when almost 80,000 people enter the stadium. 

The arena set a Guinness book record in 2013 as the loudest stadium when the loudness when the sound level meter reached 136.6 decibels during a game against the Niners. The only suggestion one can give before a New Orleans Saints game in Caesars Superdome is “Enter at your peril.”

This stadium, also known as the Louisiana Superdome but more often referred to as the Superdome, has held seven Super Bowls and will keep an eighth in 2025. Not bad for a group that genuinely saw long-term success in the previous 15 years; at the time, they got Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.

It has a capacity of 73,208, which is expandable to 76,468. It was constructed for a cost of US$134 million. 

The venue’s first Super Bowl occurred in January 1978 when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27–10 to win their second Super Bowl.

Moreover, this stadium saw a record attendance on April 8, 2018, during Wrestlemania 34. Approximately 78,133 were present to watch the grandest WWE stage. 

Team:  Seattle Seahawks

Capacity: 72,000

Located in the city’s SoDo neighborhood, Lumen Field is the home field for the Seattle Seahawks. 

Seahawks supporters have twice broken the Guinness World Record for the highest stadium crowd noise, with 136.6 decibels in 2013 and 137.6 decibels in 2014 at the iconic Lumen Field arena.

Due to the infamously loud crowd, visiting teams are now more frequently penalized for false starts (when offensive players move before the play) and delay of game (when offensive players fail to snap the ball before the play clock expires).

Its previous name, Seahawks Stadium, was changed to Qwest Field in June 2004. Following CenturyLink’s takeover of Qwest in June 2011, the stadium’s name was changed to CenturyLink Field. 

Lumen Field has earned the title of one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. According to the Guinness World Records, it once had the title of the loudest stadium in the world. The Seahawks have amassed a 59-29 home victory record from 2002 to 2012.

The “Beast Quake” happened when running back Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch broke nine tackles en route to a 67-yard touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFC Wild Card Playoff Game. It is the single loudest event in the stadium’s history.

Lynch’s run generated such a noise in the stadium that a nearby seismograph picked it up.

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Capacity: 76,416

Finally, The Kansas City Chiefs’ stadium is the loudest of all NFL stadiums. The total seating capacity of Arrowhead, which is located in Kansas City, Missouri, is around 77,000 people.

Arrowhead has held the distinction of NFL’s loudest stadium for some time. It’s easy to argue that Arrowhead is the only fanbase that can compete against the noise of the Seattle Seahawks fans at Lumen Field. 

The Chiefs were warned with a penalty in 1990 during a game against the Denver Broncos if the fans did not calm down. John Elway instantly addressed the referee after finding himself back up to his goal line and unable to run a play.

Elway was heard by the referee, who remarked, “A charged timeout against Kansas City will be taken if there are any further issues with crowd noise. I appreciate your assistance.” Something like this had never been seen in American Football.

The crowd at the stadium broke a Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium on October 13, 2013, during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, with a decibel level of 137.5. 

Seattle Seahawks supporters would break that number during a home game against the New Orleans Saints at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2013. 

The Chiefs regained the title after scoring 142.2 decibels against the New England Patriots during a Monday Night Football game on September 29, 2014. 

Nevertheless, no fandom can compete with the energy depicted by the Chiefs fans regarding raw, ear-splitting noise and beer-chugging intensity. Lately, they have had much to celebrate.

Following the 2019 season, the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years and have been in the AFC Championship Game four times in a row.