fan experience

There’s nothing quite like an iconic NFL team and the stadium they call home, which blends history, an incredible game-day atmosphere, and architectural significance. Stadiums that will never be touched are considered the “Hallowed Ground” of professional football, as they have a special cathedral-like meaning to the fans who travel from far and wide to witness a game at the venue. However, some stadiums are getting up there in age and eventually need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Sure, some old stadiums will be demolished in the next couple of years, but football fans want to see what the new stadium will look like and what the game-day atmosphere will feel like when visiting. Here at TPS, we’re going to look at a few teams that desperately need new stadiums and the few teams whose stadiums are untouchable. Which NFL teams need new stadiums and which ones do not? Desperately Needs a New Stadium: Washington CommandersNov 10, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; A general view of Northwest Stadium during the national anthem prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Commanders. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images The Commanders have been playing in Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field) since 1997 and are getting a new stadium where RFK Stadium used to be, but it won’t be open until 2030. In the meantime, the Commanders are still playing at Northwest Stadium, considered one of the worst stadiums not just in the NFL but in all of professional sports. We could make a list of everything that’s wrong with Northwest Stadium, but that’s a story for a different day. The stadium is rotting away, as we’ve seen videos of sewage leaking from a burst pipe in 2021. In January 2022, fans wanted to high-five Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, but a railing broke, sending people to the ground. A lawsuit was filed against the Commanders, but it was settled in 2025, with the terms undisclosed. The stadium has awful seating, as some seats in the 200 section offer restricted views due to pillars blocking the field.  Northwest Stadium is also not the best place for commuting or tailgating, as it’s far from public transit stations and has heavy traffic in and out of the area.  Josh Harris invested $75 million to improve the infrastructure, but the stadium will be demolished, and we as fans won’t miss it.  Untouchable: Green Bay PackersLambeau Field. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Lambeau Field has seen some iconic moments throughout its history: from the Ice Bowl in 1967 to the birth of the Lambeau Leap in 1993. This iconic stadium will forever stand the test of time as the NFL’s oldest continually active stadium. Lambeau Field has undergone numerous renovations over the years, while maintaining its historic look and serving as a focal point of the local Green Bay economy.  Plus, the field has seen some iconic athletes from home and away teams play incredible football on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights. On top of that, watching a Packers game in the winter months is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that all fans should experience at least once in their lives. The tailgating scene in Green Bay is incredible, and the fan experience at the stadium is even better. Desperately Needs a New Stadium: Chicago BearsJan 2, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The video board displays a congratulations for Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn (not pictured) for his 100th career sack during the second half of their game against the New York Giants at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports Although Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL, it opened in 1924. The Bears have played their home games at the stadium since 1971, except in 2002, when they played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, while Soldier Field underwent renovations. Soldier Field can hold up to 62,500, making it the smallest stadium in the NFL, which limits ticket revenue. Despite the renovations done in 2003, Soldier Field is pretty outdated due to a lack of premium revenue-generating spaces, has limited parking, and the field conditions are really poor. The Bears are looking at a couple of potential sites to build a new stadium: Arlington Heights, which is 26 to 36 miles northwest of Chicago, is one area the team is considering, as they purchased 326 acres of land there in 2023.  The Bears are also considering building their new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, which is 24 to 29 miles south of Chicago, and would be pretty awkward for the Bears, since they’re more known as an Illinois-based team. However, Hammond is very close to Chicago, making commuting to the area easier. The downside is that moving to Hammond, Indiana, would alienate passionate Bears fans in Illinois. As of now, it’s not known where the Bears will build their new stadium, but they are facing financial and political hurdles. Regardless, we can’t wait to see what the Bears will do when they begin construction on their new stadium. Untouchable: New England PatriotsDec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; General view of the stadium prior to the game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots since 2002, has been one of the NFL’s best stadiums to experience a game. The Krafts, who own the New England Patriots and the stadium, constantly reinvest in the stadium, constantly updating hospitality concourses and adding new technology, making for incredible experiences. The playing surface on the field is considered one of the best, as there’s a radiant heating system, and it uses high-end field turf that is consistently replaced every two to three years to keep the field looking in prime condition.  So many incredible moments have taken place on the field, and even more incredible athletes have played on the surface, from Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Tedy Bruschi, and many more. The stadium features some unique architecture, like the 22-story observation deck called “the Lookout,” which provides panoramic views of the area. The stadium also has a shopping and dining area called Patriots Place, which has a statue of Tom Brady, and is an incredible place to enjoy out on the town.  Because of how incredible Gillette Stadium is, it has secured the NHL Winter Classic in the past and will host World Cup matches.  Gillette Stadium is a sporting venue that’s going to stick around for a long time due to its iconic status and historic moments Patriots fans have witnessed in the stadium throughout the years. Desperately Needs a New Stadium: Cleveland BrownsNov 16, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Sunset is seen during the second quarter of a game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images The Browns have been playing their home games in Huntington Bank Field since their return to the NFL in 1999, and will be moving to a new domed stadium in 2029. The stadium has aged poorly, the parking by Lake Erie is not great, and the stadium has faced high maintenance costs over the years. Huntington Bank Field can be seasonally irrelevant, as it sits empty for most of the year, and  Even though Huntington Bank Field is still functional, the Browns’ building a new stadium in Brook Park will be refreshing for the team. The new stadium will be a domed stadium competing for a chance to host Super Bowls and NCAA Final Fours. The Browns’ lease of Huntington Bank Field also expires at the end of the 2028 season, making the move to the new stadium inevitable.  When the new stadium is unveiled, we can’t wait to see what it looks like. Untouchable: Pittsburgh SteelersAug 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the logo on the fifty yard line before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Steelers and the Pitt Panthers have played all of their home games at Acrisure Stadium (also still referred to as Heinz Field) since 2001, and it offers fans a premier old-stadium feel and is a true football stadium.  Visitors to Acrisure Stadium are treated to stunning views of the North Shore, the Ohio River, and downtown Pittsburgh during NFL games and concerts at night.  The Steelers Hall of Honor Museum, located by Gate B, features interactive displays and showcases the history of the Steelers’ franchise. During games, Steeler fans create a loud and exciting atmosphere that should be experienced in person. Acrisure Stadium has seen some iconic players mark their legacies on the field, from the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, James Harrison, Hines Ward, and many others. The Stadium is also in a great location, where there are bars and restaurants nearby for fans to enjoy excellent meals and drinks during gameday, is very accessible by train and by car, and is a great place for tailgating before a game. Desperately Needs a New Stadium: Kansas City ChiefsJan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A military flyover is performed prior to a 2025 AFC divisional round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images As historic and iconic as Arrowhead Stadium is, the team will be moving out of the old stadium before the 2031 season for a new domed stadium in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Arrowhead Stadium has its limitations, as it’s an outdoor stadium, and the current stadium trend is to build stadiums for year-round events that aren’t interrupted by the elements of the weather. Certain parts of Arrowhead have become obsolete over time, even though the stadium has gone through millions of dollars in upgrades in its lifetime. Traffic getting to and from the stadium is irritating, as there are limited alternatives to driving, and no public train access.  The move to Kansas allows the Chiefs to build a shopping plaza and entertainment district, similar to what the Krafts have created in Foxborough. On top of that, the new stadium the Chiefs are moving into will also make it a spot worthy of hosting major sporting events, like the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, College Football National Championship game, and much more. Untouchable: Seattle SeahawksDec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; General view during the national anthem before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images The Seahawks’ home stadium, Lumen Field, is untouchable due to its becoming a staple for one of the best stadiums in the NFL. The field is very loud, thanks to passionate Seahawks fans; the gameday atmosphere is incredibly memorable, the architecture is stunning, and the stadium provides intimate views of downtown Seattle.  Lumen Field has seen a lot of memorable moments, like the Beast-Quake touchdown scored by Marshawn Lynch in the 2011 Wildcard Round against the New Orleans Saints, Richard Sherman dominating Michael Crabtree in the 2014 NFC Championship game, and the Seahawks’ comeback overtime win over Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers to advance to Super Bowl XLIX in the 2015 NFC Championship game. People got to see some iconic Seahawks players craft their legacies on the field, from Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch, Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson, and many others. Lumen Field is near some incredible restaurants and bars serving enticing local cuisine for fans to enjoy. Accessing Lumen Field is also easy, as the Sound Transit Light Rail provides fans with a simple way of getting to and from the stadium instead of dealing with traffic. Lumen Field should be on every fan’s stadium bucket list for a unique and special gameday experience.  Desperately Needs a New Stadium: New York Giants and New York JetsAug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; General view of a virtual measurement during the first half between the New York Jets and the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images Even though MetLife Stadium opened in 2010 and is still relatively young, it has not aged well in recent times. Fans and players have rightfully criticized the condition of the turf, as numerous athletes have suffered season-ending injuries on the playing surface, like Aaron Rodgers in week one of the 2023 season when he suffered a torn Achilles injury, Malik Nabers suffering a torn ACL on the field in the 2025 season, and Nick Bosa injuring his ACL on the field, which led to San Francisco 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan criticizing the turf. Numerous NFL players and the NFLPA have described the turf as unsafe, as more players prefer neutral grass to play on instead. Fans have described MetLife Stadium as boring, lacking the luxuries that are found in other current stadiums. Parking is awful at MetLife Stadium, as there are long wait times to park, and the cost of parking is high. On top of that, exiting the stadium is a challenge, as the ramps are thin and can cause zigzagging, which is a nightmare, especially during emergencies. Even though the Bears, Browns, and Chiefs are getting new stadiums, MetLife Stadium is going to stick around for a while.  Untouchable: New Orleans SaintsCaesars Superdome in New Orleans (Photo by John David Mercer/Imagn Images) The Caesars Superdome, the home of the New Orleans Saints, is legendary due to its status as the world’s largest fixed-dome structure and its record for numerous sporting events throughout the decades. Caesars Superdome has hosted eight Super Bowls, six NCAA Final Fours, and has hosted multiple college football championship games from the BCS era and the college football playoff era.  The Superdome has a unique design that still holds up since the stadium opened its doors in 1975, and renovations over the years have made this iconic stadium worthwhile for an excellent fan experience. The views are unobstructed, the stadium is loud during games, and the Superdome is right near the city center, making access to restaurants, shops, and bars in New Orleans an easy breeze. However, a 2021 fire incident posed a slight threat. But on top of that, the Superdome holds a ton of exciting memories for Saints fans, like Steve Gleason’s blocked kick in 2006, and the Saints punching their ticket to Super Bowl XLIV against the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.  All football fans should pay the Superdome a visit for a Saints game or a concert and experience the stadium whenever visiting New Orleans.