Best Stadiums in each sport

[therealworldschampion 0]

MLB- Camden Yards. Went there years ago and I still remember how nice it was. Good to see CBP in Philly based off it.

 

NFL- Lincoln Financial Field. Homer pick. Extremely nice.

 

NHL & NBA - Madison Square Garden. Nothing like the Garden.

 

College football- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium(Florida)- A friend of mine was able to get Florida/Florida State tickets last year when I visited him for Thanksgiving. WOW. Great atmosphere.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

MLB- I hate the outfield walls in CBP. Talk about overdoing it. Kaufmann's Stadium is hugely underrated, as is Dodger Stadium. Pac Bell is nice. Camden Yards is an obvious choice. Yankee Stadium deserves props as well, despite the renovations.

[Guest Anglesault]

Yankee and Fenway.

[Guest Anglesault]

Yankee and Fenway.

[Mik 0]

I agree with Camden Yards. I had luxury box tickets there last August and was so impressed with the whole place that I would love to go back again, even though I don't follow AL baseball.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Is it the Yankee's stadium or the Mets that's falling apart? I was trying to remember which had a piece of ceiling collapse a few years ago.

 

 

Nationwide Arena has turned into a great place for hockey games. ESPN actually rates it as the best stadium experience.

 

And you can't be the Shoe for the sheer insanity that is OSU games.

[The Czech Republic 0]

All the good arenas are gone. Forum, MLG, Chicago Stadium, Olympia, Boston Garden. Wrigley and Fenway for best ballparks. Football stadiums...who cares? They're all more or less the same to me. Then you've got "Soldier Field" and frankly I'm not sure WHAT they were going for with that.

[Styles 0]

Camden Yards is def. one of if not the best stadium. Yankee Staidum and Fenway are historical but they're both (Fenway especially) old pieces of shit.

I took my friends, one a Red Sox fan and the other a Cubs fan to an O's game and it was their first time at The Yard, and they were blown away. They couldn't believe how beautiful it was and how great the view was.

The only other stadium that might beat it out for me is PNC in Pittsburgh. I went there last year, and it was amazing. I can't describe it but I've never had that much fun in a stadium ever. It's too bad the team is so bad, because they're wasting probably the best stadium in baseball.

ESPN Page2 actually posted extensive and funny reviews of every major league ballpark. Here is the rankings for them all, and click on any stadium to read their in depth review: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stadiums

Here is the main article too: http://espn.go.com/page2/s/neel/030910.html

[treble 0]

Unfortunately, my baseball stadium experience is limited to SkyDome and Olympic Stadium, so I haven't had a chance to attend any of the ones usually near the top of rankings (although Olympic Stadium was decent for the football game I went to there, although it was packed 65,000 fans, so maybe that helped). Whatever Pac Bell is called now, PNC, and Camden Yards are probably the nicest looking of the new old-style ones. Wrigley, Fenway, and Yankee Stadium obviously have boatloads of history, and are probably fun to attend, but Yankee Stadium doesn't seem like it's much to look at.

 

The best overall sports experience I've ever had was at a Montreal Alouettes game at Molson Stadium. Small capacity (>20,000), but an amazing atmosphere. Didn't hurt that the Als were killing the team they were playing, so everyone there was insane.

 

The only current NHL arenas I've been to are the Corel Centre and Air Canada Centre (and that was for wrestling). I went to both the Forum and Maple Leaf Gardens, but I was too young to remember anything about them (even though I went to the Forum 3 times). Corel Centre's a nice enough place, if unremarkable. Since I never saw a hockey (or basketball) at the ACC, I can't give full opinions on it, but it didn't seem that much different than the Corel Centre, though it does have a better location (downtown as opposed to out in the middle of a field).

[Red Baron 0]

Air Canada Centre is great to witness hockey games, but for Basketball, its pretty lackluster I find.

 

The Forum was probably the best arena ever, until its bastardization.

[Guest Crazy Dan]

I will go with Pac Bell, with no disrespect to Camden Yards, which is also very nice stadium, but I haven't gotten the chance to visit it. Since I have been only to Pac Bell, I am biased. But if any of you get a chance to visit, it is so pretty, the minute you walk in, you are taken in by the aesthetic beauty of it. This stadium will always be in the top five for sure, and number one on my list. Plus, it is so easy to get to, either by Bart, Muni, or if you are up to it, you can walk to it from BART. Definately a crown jewel of SF, and it was cool becuase it was privately funded. The only downer is that it is SBC Park, but it will take me a while not to call it Pac Bell. But that is the only real bummer. Plus garlic fries are a definate plus. And for all of you ever got to see a game at Candlestick, we all know how much of an upgrade this is.

 

For historical value, I will always dig Wrigley and Fenway. So much history, and that green Monster. Those have so much history, that despite their flaws, they still are a piece of baseball history.

 

For Football, I like the Patriots new stadium. The Ravens have a nice one too. And the Seahawks have a nice stadium as well. Lambeau Field is one of my favorite classic stadiums, also due to the fan support and the Lambeua Leap, and the fact that you can't get season tickets to save your life.

 

As for College, I like the Swamp at LSU, due to how loud it can get. I like Autzen Stadium in Eugene, which despite the size, 40,000, the way it is built makes it feel like there are 80,000 fans. I also like Nebraska's stadium due to the sea of red that you see. And I am always impressed with the size of Tenn and Mich, 100,000+ is impressive.

 

For Basketball, hmm, I am not sure which one is the best. There are many, but some of the older ones, like Arco, which give the Kings a distinctive adavantage with its noise level and the way the noise covers the arena. Not the most pretty stadium but it has character. And allows for the fans to be noisy and let it be heard. One thing that I like about the Maloof Brothers is that they understand that a new stadium needs to be built, but they don't want to design one that would take away the advantages that Arco has. So Arco is a personal favorite, even though it is by no means the nicest or up to date.

 

But as for newer ones, LA has a nice arena, the Arena in Oaktown, which got a much needed face lift, is very nice, Dallas is a very nice stadium as well. And Madison Square Garden for history sake. I know I am missing some, but these are some of my favorite, and ones I have actually been too. Please inform me of some other cool arenas that host basketball.

[NoCalMike 0]

Camden Yards was basically the first of the new generation of baseball stadiums. It was the prototype for many of the other downtown, new-school parks. I love how when you walk in off the downtown streets, they have bbq pits all lined up where most people see the big warehouse in rightfield. At least they did back when I went in 97.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Hockey: I'd have to say the Joe Louis Arena, just because it reminds me of the old 'barns' that teams like Winnipeg and Quebec used to play in, and the fact that you can walk from the first row to the last without having to go through the concourse or anything is sweet. I just love the fact that the Wings haven't built a new arena just because their old was in getting older. Out of the new ones, I'd have to say either the ACC or the Bell Centre were my favorites, although I dug HSBC in Buffalo as well (the fact that the game in Buffalo was only about 75% full hurt it's standings ... I like a full house for games)

 

Baseball: Wrigley Field, far and away. I don't know if it's because I've been to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium so many times (especially Fenway), but I just find that everytime I go to Wrigley it further distances itself from the others. Maybe if I went to Wrigley more than once a year, it'd start to lose it's luster.

 

Football: Gillette Stadium. Not much else to say, watching the best team playing in the nicest stadium is a great way to spend a Sunday.

 

Basketball: The only current place I've seen a basketball game is the Fleet Center, and other than the fact that I can sneak to the premium seats every time, I wasn't overly impressed. Wins by default.

 

And, if we can vote for places that aren't in existance anymore, give me the Boston Garden over anywhere else ... loved it growing up, and really got emotional while watching them tear it down.

[alfdogg 0]

The only arenas I've been in are the RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse, the latter of which has gotten some pretty good feedback from some stadium experts.

 

Both are in Indianapolis.

[starvenger 0]

Hockey: I'd have to say the Joe Louis Arena, just because it reminds me of the old 'barns' that teams like Winnipeg and Quebec used to play in, and the fact that you can walk from the first row to the last without having to go through the concourse or anything is sweet. I just love the fact that the Wings haven't built a new arena just because their old was in getting older. Out of the new ones, I'd have to say either the ACC or the Bell Centre were my favorites, although I dug HSBC in Buffalo as well (the fact that the game in Buffalo was only about 75% full hurt it's standings ... I like a full house for games)

 

Baseball: Wrigley Field, far and away. I don't know if it's because I've been to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium so many times (especially Fenway), but I just find that everytime I go to Wrigley it further distances itself from the others. Maybe if I went to Wrigley more than once a year, it'd start to lose it's luster.

 

Football: Gillette Stadium. Not much else to say, watching the best team playing in the nicest stadium is a great way to spend a Sunday.

 

Basketball: The only current place I've seen a basketball game is the Fleet Center, and other than the fact that I can sneak to the premium seats every time, I wasn't overly impressed. Wins by default.

 

And, if we can vote for places that aren't in existance anymore, give me the Boston Garden over anywhere else ... loved it growing up, and really got emotional while watching them tear it down.

What makes the Joe in my mind is not the arena itself but the fans that go there. It is without a doubt a great place to watch hockey. Maple Leaf Gardens was another great place to go, and makes me wish I had gotten a chance to go to the other Original Six arenas. I've been outside MSG, but never in.

 

All the newer arenas are archetectually quite nice, but they just haven't really acquired that "character" that the old ones have, I think...

[sfaJack 0]

My list of stadiums visited is rather small, so my choices are limited. I don't see how I can rate a stadium if I've never been there, so my list will have to do.

 

Baseball: Wrigley Field, no question. I'm probably biased being a Cubs fan, but I can't imagine any MLB experience topping the two days I spent at Wrigley.

 

I've been to Minute Maid Park several times, but that place just has too many retarded quirky things (the train and the hill, for starters) to be the best. The Astrodome is another I've been to, but it was nothing great in the 80's/90's when I was there.

 

Football: I've only been to Reliant Stadium and Texas Stadium, and despite my Cowboys' fandom, Reliant wins.

 

Basketball: Toyota Center is pretty neat, but my opinion might be inflated because I was sitting third row courtside (directly behind the Rockets' owner) at mid-court.

[The Tino Standard 0]

Wrigley Field. End of story.

 

I took a baseball history class a couple years ago, and our professor (a respected baseball historian) said about Wrigley: "If they ever decide to tear it down, I'm grabbing every shotgun and pitchfork I can find, I'm starting a militia and I'm going to defend that place until I die. Feel free to join me."

 

I'd be right there with him.

[A Happy Medium 0]

MLB: Wrigley Field...even with the shitty neon signs on the decks.

 

NFL: Arrowhead Stadium...good fans..and the stadium looks so damned scary to be a visitor in.

 

NBA: All the same...no winner...and my hatred for the Knicks rules out Madison Square Garden...oh and the fact that the place looks so cold and mechincal.

 

NHL: Saddledome

[ant_7000 0]

I've been to Wrigley eventhough im a ChiSox fan, the Field is very nice but concourses are shitty thou. I've been the United Center twice, I didn't care for it because I had nose bleed seats.

[The Czech Republic 0]

One thing that I like about the Maloof Brothers is that they understand that a new stadium needs to be built, but they don't want to design one that would take away the advantages that Arco has.

And one thing I like about the Maloof brothers is their name. Maloof. Just say it a couple times. Maloof. Maaaaa-loooooooooooooof. I'm Gavin Maloof, bitch.

[Gert T 0]

I've been to Wrigley eventhough im a ChiSox fan, the Field is very nice but concourses are shitty thou. I've been the United Center twice, I didn't care for it because I had nose bleed seats.

I would tend to agree about that complaint, if you are drunk and three rows from the top, it is a long and winding road to the bathroom, but I probably would still rate it the best.

 

Sentimental vote for Riverfront Stadium since I pissed on the roof in 2002.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

NBA:

 

- Madison Square Garden

- Arco Arena

 

NCAA (Basketball):

 

- The Dean Smith Center AKA The Dean Dome

- Cameron Indoor Stadium

 

MLB:

 

- Yankee Stadium

[KingPK 0]

I haven't been to that many stadiums. The only MLB one I've been to outside of Fenway is Olympic Stadium, so Fenway wins by default. I've been to Pro Player twice for football games, and I really liked the view I had even from WAYYYYY up at the top of the place (but I don't know how you can watch a baseball game there; the field looks like it's 20 miles away). I'd LOVE to go to Gillette this season. My father went to the Jaguars game last season and I almost went to the Dolphins game (the one where the place was buried under 2 feet of snow).

[Guest Anglesault]

I've been to Yankee, Fenway, Camden Yards and that hellhole that Philly used to have.

 

Fenway was a strong second (to yankee), with the only real problem being that the seats are kind of small.

[lomasmoney 0]

Well the only stadiums I have ever been to are Joe Louis, the Silverdome, the Palace of Auburn Hills, Riverfront Stadium, Tiger Stadium, Great American Ballpark, Comerica Park, and Michigan Stadium and I would say that for football overall, Michigan Stadium is the best. I know its hard to compare the atmosphere of a pro and college game, but I did go to a high school state title game at the Silverdome and it would have been much better at the Big House, not to mention my team would have won. Tiger Stadium was the best for baseball in my opinion with the GAB being after it, I just don't like Comerica Park because it should have been Tiger Stadium II yet much more modern. The Palace is better than the Silverdome for basketball but what isn't. Hopefully I will visit some of the other good arenas one of these days

[Art Sandusky 0]

MLB: Cubs.

 

NHL: Red Wings.

 

NFL: Packers (what the baseball dude said about Wrigley is echoed with Lambeau)

 

NBA: Kings.

 

I-A Football: Tennessee.

 

College Basketball: Duke.

[Guest Gatornibs]

Tropicana Dome SUCKS

Safeco Field is the nicest I've been in (Out of that, Trop, and Minute Maid)

 

For college ball it is Cameron Indoor.

 

For football it is the Swamp at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

 

Saddledome for Hockey

 

MSG for NBA

 

For minor league baseball I like Harbor Park on the water in Norfolk.

 

TD Waterhouse Center sucks. Sun Dome is nice but old. St. Pete Times Forum is okay.

 

The new arena in Jacksonville is so freaking awesome. It's beautiful. Everything about it is awesome.

 

Leon County Civic Center and O'Connell Center aren't that great.

 

The old Compact Center in Houston I wasn't a fan of.

 

Raymond James Stadium is awesome.

 

Kingdome sucked

 

Seahawks Stadium is great

 

Alltel Stadium is aight.

 

Where the Richmond Braves play sucks.

 

Husky Stadium in Seattle is beautiful, right on Lake Washington.

 

The old Jacksonville Coliseum was shitty

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Coors Field in Colorado is a highly underrated park.

[2GOLD 0]

Wrigley Field. End of story.

 

I took a baseball history class a couple years ago, and our professor (a respected baseball historian) said about Wrigley: "If they ever decide to tear it down, I'm grabbing every shotgun and pitchfork I can find, I'm starting a militia and I'm going to defend that place until I die. Feel free to join me."

 

I'd be right there with him.

 

I'm not even from Chi-town or anywhere near it but even I would be there with a gun to defend Wrigley.

 

The day MLB loses Wrigley Field is the day the game dies for me.

[Guest Museite]

Football (Soccer) - Highbury, simply because you are so close to the field.

 

Ice Hockey - I saw an AHL Philly Phantoms game in the Spectrum, truly a wonderful place to watch hockey.