College football is all about tailgating, passion, tradition, and night games. At the college football level, a crowded stadium during a late-night game could make a big difference in who wins.
College football fans love the players on the field. However, what keeps them coming back is the experience at the stadium. There’s something special about being in a stadium and cheering for your favorite college team. It could be the smell of freshly grilled hot dogs or the sound of tens of thousands of fans screaming.
The best college football atmospheres give fans new ways to make memories that last a lifetime.
Table of contents
- Are the Best College Football Atmospheres Worth it?
- How to Create the Best College Football Atmospheres?
- Top 15 Best College Football Atmospheres
- #1. Virginia Tech (Lane Stadium)
- #2. Oklahoma (Gaylord Family- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium)
- #3. Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium)
- #4. Notre Dame (Notre Dame Stadium)
- #5. Michigan (Michigan Stadium)
- #6. Wisconsin (Camp Randall Stadium)
- #7. Texas A&M (Kyle Field)
- #8. Florida State (Doak Campbell Stadium)
- #9. Alabama (Bryant-Denny Stadium)
- #10. Florida (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
- #11. Clemson (Memorial Stadium)
- #12. Army (Michie Stadium)
- #13. The Ohio State (Ohio Stadium)
- #14. Penn State (Beaver Stadium)
- #15. LSU (Tiger Stadium)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Read also: Top 15 Best Punters in College Football History | 2022 Ranking
Are the Best College Football Atmospheres Worth it?
Both the players on the field and the fans in the stands can benefit from great football atmospheres. The Old Trafford stadium of Manchester United is popularly known as the “Theatre of Dreams.” Yet the team hired an acoustic expert to investigate ways to raise noise levels within the stadium.
The businesspeople that manage sports care about a stadium’s environment because it can draw more spectators. A raucous crowd can also help a team succeed. Teams also make money by boosting the home side’s morale and intimidating the opposition.
Check out: Top 15 Best Running Backs (RB) in College Football | 2022 Ranking
How to Create the Best College Football Atmospheres?
The goal is to create a bond between the audience and the event. The atmosphere will get improved by how near that is. That was the intention, according to Sheard, when the 80,000-seat London Olympic Stadium—which will serve as West Ham’s new home—was built. They worked so hard to make that bowl tight so that most of the crowd was nearby. According to him, even the last row felt connected.
Making as much noise as possible is not the only way to create a mood. Additionally, it’s about providing the fans a sense of participation in the event. They need to get an experience they wouldn’t otherwise get just watching it on television at home.
According to David Keirle, KSS Sports Architects and Designers chairman, acoustics is all about geometry. Line of sight is how noise gets transmitted. There are areas of Old Trafford where it is impossible to hear or see what is happening in other areas.
Improving the atmosphere in an existing stadium is different from creating one from start. The organizers can maybe use microphones to pump noise around the venue. They should also look for a way to retain noise and reflect it onto the playing field. People react when there are lasting reverberations. Design is pointless if the audience isn’t interested. Compromises must be inevitably made when building a stadium that serves multiple purposes. There are 9,000 seats in the spacious stadium. A few millimeters’ difference in the rake on the first row would have an impact of many meters towards the rear.
You should see: Top 21 Best College Football Running Backs of All Time | 2022 Ranking
Top 15 Best College Football Atmospheres
#1. Virginia Tech (Lane Stadium)
Virginia Tech (Lane Stadium) is one of the top college football atmospheres. When the other team hears “Enter Sandman,” they know it’s going to be a long night. This stadium has caused earthquakes four times, with the most recent one happening in 2017 when the Clemson Tigers played there. It’s a big deal for a small stadium.
Lane Stadium only holds 66,233 people. However, it is always ranked as one of the loudest stadiums in America. This is mostly because the students do everything they can to distract the other team’s offense. Students will sometimes all pull out their keys and jingle them to make more noise.
#2. Oklahoma (Gaylord Family- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium)
Every home game starts with the famous “Boomer Sooner” tradition. There, two horses pull a wagon around the field while the crowd sings the “Boomer Sooner” song. This stadium can hold up to 84,000 people. It is the second-largest in the Big 12 after Texas, which is a hated rival.
The historic Oklahoma Sooners football team has done well for many years. Their tailgates are also the best in the country. The rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma has gone to a new level off the field. It has one of the top college football atmospheres.
Have you read: Top 15 Best Defensive Coordinators in College Football in 2022
#3. Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium)
Every Auburn home game starts with a tradition called “War Eagle.” The Auburn atmosphere should be on everyone’s list of things to do. With a maximum capacity of 87,451, Jordan-Hare Stadium can be a scary place to go. This is especially if you’re a Crimson Tide player. Auburn Jordan Hare Stadium is one of the top college football atmospheres.
The famous “kick-six” play that decided the 2013 game between the Auburn Tigers. All of the credit for how the Iron Bowl ended goes to the student section. Their noise scared the Alabama Kicker. This let Chris Davis do his magic and return the missed field goal 100 yards on the game’s last play to win 34-28.
#4. Notre Dame (Notre Dame Stadium)
People all over the country have a special place in their hearts for Saturdays in South Bend, Indiana. Since 1930, Notre Dame Stadium has been there, and it can now hold up to 78,000 people. If you pick any town in the United States at random and ask every person who lives there which college football team they like, you will probably find a fan of the Fighting Irish.
These fans come to every home game ready to go, and they might have the most fans of any college football team in the country. Only one school has green-out games that are better than theirs. Even if you don’t like Notre Dame, every sports fan should want to see a football game at Notre Dame.
You should see: The 25 Best College Football Teams of All-Time | 2022 Rankings
#5. Michigan (Michigan Stadium)
Michigan Stadium has one of the top college football atmospheres. Michigan fans are proud that their stadium, which is often called “The Big House,” is the largest in the country. The Michigan football team is one of the most respected in college football. The atmosphere in their stadium helps back that up.
Fans of every college can appreciate how beautiful it is to see the Wolverines run out of the tunnel and hit the “Go Blue” banner. “Hail to the Victors” is their fight song. It’s a simple, catchy tune that people of all ages can sing along to. Expect to go home after seeing “The Game” with your ears ringing and a sea of maze and blue all around you.
#6. Wisconsin (Camp Randall Stadium)
The atmosphere at Madison, Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium is one to remember. The most well-known Wisconsin tradition is “Jump Around.” At the end of the third quarter, the stadium, which can hold 80,321, shakes. During the break between quarters, every fan in the stands jumps. In the past, this has even caused some earthquakes.
Another tradition of the Badgers is the fifth quarter. The Wisconsin marching band performs for about 45 minutes following the game. It keeps about 30,000 fans in the stands. But before the football game, Wisconsin is popular for its “Badger Bash.” It starts two and a half hours before kickoff. This stadium has one of the top college football atmospheres.
Check out: What are the Best College Football Mascots in 2022?
#7. Texas A&M (Kyle Field)
In College Station, the 12th man is alive and well. Before every game starts at Kyle Field, four fighter jets fly over the field as a tribute to the military. The Aggies have one of the biggest ROTC programs in the country. People who go to games at Kyle Field can expect to see a lot of ROTC cadets. This only adds to the excitement at Kyle Field, where the student section cheers on their team with military chants.
With 102,733 seats, Texas A&M’s stadium is the largest in the SEC. It is just 300 seats bigger than Neyland Stadium in Tennessee. Every night before a home game, a party called a “yell” holds right outside Kyle Field. This usually takes place at midnight, and more than 25,000 Aggies show up. When Kanye West’s “Power” comes on, the Aggies know it’s time to play.
Texas A&M (Kyle Field) is one of the top college football atmospheres.
You should see: 15 Best High School Football Teams In Florida | 2022
#8. Florida State (Doak Campbell Stadium)
Florida State has the best tradition before any school college football game. Chief Osceola rides Renegade out of the tunnel and puts his flaming spear in the ground at the 50-yard line. When the fans of Florida State welcome you to a college football game by chanting “Tomahawk,” it’s enough to give anyone goosebumps.
There will never be a better start to a college football game than that. Doak Campbell Stadium, which can hold up to 79,560 people, is home to the ACC’s loudest fans. It is no doubt, one of the top college football atmospheres.
Read also: The 50 Best College Football Players of All Time | 2022 Ranking
#9. Alabama (Bryant-Denny Stadium)
All over the United States, men and women dream of going to Bryant-Denny Stadium to see the college football powerhouse Alabama play. Since 2013, the Crimson Tide have only lost two of their 47 home games. During that time, their 95.9% home win rate is the best in college football.
This is mostly because each game can draw up to 101,821 passionate fans. The Alabama fans say “Roll Tide” a lot. You’ll hear it a thousand times if you go to a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Bear Bryant Museum is outside the stadium, and college football fans from all over the country should go there.
It’s a way to remember Bear Bryant’s life and what he did that made Alabama Football what it is today. The walk of champions starts just two hours before the game starts. Thousands of students and fans gather to watch as the Crimson Tide players walk from the bus into the stadium. It’s a sight to behold. This stadium has one of the top college football atmospheres.
Read also: 7 Best Football Scholarships in the USA
#10. Florida (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as “The Swamp,” is one of the top college football atmospheres. It is home to some of the best college football fans in the United States. ESPN says that “The Swamp” is the third loudest stadium in college football. Even just hearing the phrase “only Gators make it out alive” is enough to give college football fans the chills.
Mel Kiper, an ESPN expert on the NFL draft, once said, “Florida Field is the loudest stadium in the country.” Take any heavy metal album, turn it up loud, and put your speakers in a tin basement. “The Swamp” makes that sound like a library.
Even if you don’t believe the hype, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, which holds 88,548 people, has one of the best college football atmospheres. You can expect your ears to ring for a few hours after you leave. During any Gator game, you can expect to hear a lot of the famous “Gator Chomp.”
#11. Clemson (Memorial Stadium)
Memorial Stadium is a great place to watch a football game if you’re a Clemson fan. It is one of the best college football atmospheres. However, it is not so much if you’re a fan of the other team. At the start of every Clemson home game, the Tigers get on three different buses. There is one for the offense, one for the defense, and one for the special teams.
The Tigers wait patiently in their uniforms while the bus makes three right turns before letting them off. Then they wait until everyone gets off the bus to run down the hill together. Before running down the hill, the Clemson players and coaches will put their hands on “Howard’s Rock.” Memorial Stadium is one of the loudest stadiums in the United States. It is also called “Death Valley,” which is another name for it.
Have you read: Top 10 Football Clubs in Nigeria | 2022
#12. Army (Michie Stadium)
When you walk onto the West Point campus in New York, you can feel the tradition immediately. Michie Stadium is right on the Hudson River, and going to a game there is a unique tradition. When you go to an Army football game, you can’t beat the tailgates before the game. That’s just the beginning of the traditions you’ll experience. Before each game, a paratrooper lands on the field and gives the game ball to the person in charge of the game.
When the paratrooper hits the ground, the cadets cheer because they know the game is about to start. Every time the Army Black Knights score, cannons get fired, which may scare some first-timers. When the Black Knights score, the cadets do as many pushups as their points on the scoreboard. Even though the stadium can only hold 38,000 people, it can get louder than stadiums with twice as many seats.
Michie Stadium is one of the best college football atmospheres.
#13. The Ohio State (Ohio Stadium)
It is a unique experience to walk into Ohio Stadium and see the buckeye logo on the helmets of Ohio State players. As the season goes on, players earn more stickers based on how well they play on the field. These stickers go on their helmets. Ohio State also has one of the best tailgating scenes in the United States.
Ohioans are popular for their pulled pork sandwiches, which are often eaten at tailgates. The season has only been going on for a few weeks. However, the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is still going strong. Buckeye fans find any way they can to make fun of their rival Wolverines. Ohio Stadium has one of the best college football atmospheres.
Many of the 104,944 fans who come to the Horseshoe to see the marching band at its best do so to see the Horseshoe. How they play on the field mirrors how their fans and marching band do. Ohio State’s all-time winning percentage of.729 is the best in college football history. Even Michigan fans have to agree that game day in Columbus, Ohio, is like nothing else.
Have you read: Best Football Prep Schools in the USA | 2022 Rankings
#14. Penn State (Beaver Stadium)
The white-out game at Beaver Stadium has the best college football crowd. It has one of the best college football atmospheres. There are 106,572 Nittany Lions fans in Beaver Stadium. They are all dressed in white from head to toe. This sight is enough to make you gasp for air, but wait until you hear how loud the fans are.
In just three hours, the noise level once got to 200% of the recommended daily dose. Now imagine going up against people who are 18, 19, 20, or 21 years old. That is a very scary situation. In State College, white-out games only happen once a year. This makes every white-out game even more special.
Aside from white-out games, most Penn State home games have crowds of more than 100,000 people. Every fan gives their all to every moment of every game. Everyone in America should go to a Penn State game, not just sports fans. Whether it’s a white-out game or just a regular Saturday afternoon game.
#15. LSU (Tiger Stadium)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has the best college football atmosphere. Your day will start with the best tailgating in America. Just saying “Louisiana Cajun food” makes many people’s mouths water. Mike the Tiger, LSU’s live mascot, has a cage right next to the stadium, so many people choose to pass by it before going into the stadium.
They do this for good luck. In the past, LSU would bring Mike the Tiger onto the field. They would keep him in a cage right outside the locker room of the visiting team to scare them. When the pregame fun is over, the game itself starts. Tiger Stadium, also known as Death Valley, is the loudest college stadium in the US. It can hold 102,321 people. No doubt, it is one of the best college football atmospheres.
Check out: The 50 Best College Football Coaches of All Time | 2022 Ranking
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tiger Stadium is home to the LSU Tigers. While Ohio Stadium is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Clemson Memorial Stadium is home to the Clemson Tigers. And Neyland Stadium is home to the Tennessee Volunteers. The Jordan-Hare Stadium is home to the Auburn Tigers. The Notre Dame Stadium is home to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
In third and fourth place are the Signal Iduna Park of Borussia Dortmund and the Stade Rajko-Mitic of Red Star Belgrade. But Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera ranks as having the best stadium atmosphere in all of football.
So, let’s look at the stadiums where fans are likely to be the meanest this fall.
Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)
Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)
Sanford Stadium (Georgia)
Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Autzen Stadium (Oregon)
Kyle Field (Texas A&M)
A list of the 50 “loudest” college football stadiums ever got made public. First place goes to LSU, then Penn State, Texas A&M, Washington, and Tennessee.
The Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium. They have the NFL’s loudest stadium, proven by a Guinness World Record. In 2014, the stadium set a new record by reaching 142.2 decibels. This makes things very hard for their opponents because it makes it hard for them to talk to each other.
Pit Crew, Autzen Stadium is one of the loudest places to watch college football. The student section gets ready for the fourth quarter by singing and dancing to the song “Shout!” at the end of every third quarter.
Conclusion
We say it all the time, but we’ll say it again in case you need to hear it. Nothing beats college football and going to a college football game. You won’t find the traditions and excitement anywhere else. That makes it a one-of-a-kind experience.
Going to a game in one of the best college football atmospheres is simply mind-blowing. You would prefer to watch all games in a stadium.
Check out: 15 Best Websites To Watch College Football Online Free
References
- yardbarker.com– 25 best football atmospheres
- nbcsports.com– Top 10 football stadiums
- 247sports.com– Top stadiums by football fan atmosphere
- Image Link
Recommendations
- Top 15 Best Punters in College Football History | 2022 Ranking
- Top 15 Best Running Backs (RB) in College Football | 2022 Ranking
- Top 21 Best College Football Running Backs of All Time | 2022 Ranking
- Top 15 Best Defensive Coordinators in College Football in 2022
- The 25 Best College Football Teams of All-Time | 2022 Rankings
- What are the Best College Football Mascots in 2022?
- The 50 Best College Football Players of All Time | 2022 Ranking
- Best Football Prep Schools in the USA | 2022 Rankings
- The 50 Best College Football Coaches of All Time | 2022 Ranking
- 15 Best High School Football Teams In Florida | 2022
- 7 Best Football Scholarships in USA
- 15 Best Websites To Watch College Football Online Free
- 15 Largest College Football Stadiums in USA | 2022
- 15 Best Football Academies In The World | 2022
- Top 10 Football Clubs in Nigeria | 2022
