Everything in college football is bigger and better than anything else, and the stadiums that the 134 FBS programs (and beyond) call home are no exception. The arenas that these modern-day gladiators go to war in are some of the most impressive feats of architecture that you’ll ever see.
In a contest where size truly does matter, which are the biggest college football stadiums in the nation?
Largest College Football Stadiums in the Country
When compiling this list of the biggest college football stadiums in the country, we have stuck to venues where the primary function is to play college football. It has to be the permanent home of a current program and does not include single-event uses like the Cotton Bowl (for the Red River Rivalry) or temporary homes such as Arrowhead Stadium (for Kansas).
25) Lincoln Financial Field (68,532)
Lincoln Financial Field might be better known as the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, but on fall Saturdays, it plays home to the Temple Owls. While the program has had a tough run in the AAC in recent seasons, the Owls regularly packed the stadium with fans, especially during the Matt Rhule era.
24) Kinnick Stadium (69,250)
First opening in 1929, the home of the Iowa Hawkeyes has been an integral feature on the list of the biggest college football stadiums. While it currently holds just shy of 70,000 people, Kinnick Stadium held an impressive 53,000 almost 100 years ago.
The stadium is also famous for its pink dressing room and proximity to the Iowa Children’s Hospital, facilitating one of the great college traditions.
23) Husky Stadium (70,138)
As famous for its “Sailgating” as its place amongst the biggest stadiums in college football, Husky Stadium is home to the Washington Huskies. A longtime staple of Pac-12 football, the stadium now welcomes teams from across the country following the program’s realignment to the Big Ten. It has more than doubled in size since opening in 1920.
22) Spartan Stadium (74,866)
Despite being on the list of the biggest CFB stadiums, Spartan Stadium has actually decreased from its maximum capacity of 76,000. The home of the Michigan State Spartans underwent significant renovation across the last three decades that improved the game experience (for fans and media) with new press boxes and premium suites.
21) Camp Randall Stadium (75,822)
On a Saturday, Camp Randall has one of the most electric atmospheres in college football, with the famous Jump Around tradition rocking the home of the Wisconsin Badgers to its very foundations.
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Like Spartan Stadium, Camp Randall has seen a capacity reduction in recent years, with 2022 renovations knocking almost 5,000 off its maximum capacity.
20) Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,212)
The first SEC stadium on our list belongs to the Arkansas Razorbacks. After seating around 50,000 in 2000, the stadium expanded to 72,000 in 2001. Since then, further developments have grown the total to 76,212.
19) Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (77,500)
The home of the USC Trojans since 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has a lofty place amongst the biggest stadiums in college football. However, at various times during its existence, it’s held over 100,000, topping out at over 130,000.
18) Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559)
Another stadium that has sacrificed its place among the list of the biggest CFB stadiums to add executive areas, Williams-Brice Stadium once held over 85,000 people. Since 2020, however, the home of the South Carolina Gamecocks has come in a notch under 80,000 — not that you’d think there was any less in there when “Sandstorm” is playing on a Saturday.
17) Doak Campbell Stadium (79,560)
The 2024 season might not be a banner year for the Florida State Seminoles program on the football field, but at least their stadium is one of the most iconic in college football. There are few more goosebump-inducing sights and sounds than the Tomahawk Chop and War Chant when Doak Campbell Stadium is in full flow.
16) Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (80,126)
Although multiple reported figures exist for Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium’s current capacity, the Oklahoma Sooners’ home stadium officially holds 80,126 and has done so since the 2019 season. Described as a “work in progress” since its inception, it held as many as 83,489 at its largest capacity.
15) Notre Dame Stadium (80,795)
Home to “Touchdown Jesus” and the famous “Play Like a Champion Today” sign that can be seen when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play in South Bend, Notre Dame Stadium is now one of the biggest stadiums in college football. Originally boasting a capacity of around 54,000 when it opened in 1930, it has grown alongside the reputation of the storied program.
14) Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,500)
“Death Valley” is one of the more intimidating atmospheres for visiting teams. The stadium was expanded regularly between 1980 and 1991. The attendance record was set in 1999 in Tommy Bowden’s first year as head coach when 86,092 attended.
13) Memorial Stadium (85,458)
After initially being constructed with a capacity of 31,080 in 1923, Memorial Stadium has grown steadily into being one of the biggest college football stadiums. The home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers boasts one of the iconic entrances in all of college sports — The Tunnel Walk.
12) Jordan-Hare Stadium (88,043)
Home of the Auburn Tigers, Jordan-Hare Stadium was built to meet the demand for a bigger stadium in 1939. It seated only 7,500, but 15,000 people were projected to fill the area around the field.
The stadium has expanded numerous times over the years and now holds just over 88,000 people.
11) Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
The final stadium under 90,000 and the fourth SEC home on this list is more commonly referred to as “The Swamp.”
The Florida Gators home gets its lovable moniker due to being built in a sinkhole, elevating noise levels to deafening levels and exacerbating Gainesville’s humid fall climate. While the capacity is 88,548, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium regularly holds over 90,000 for Florida football games.
10) Rose Bowl (91,136)
Perhaps more famous for its iconic picture-postcard postseason date than as a regular home of a CFB program, the Rose Bowl checks in at No. 10 in our list of the biggest college football stadiums.
The venue, steeped in history and dripping with architectural aesthetics, is the home to the UCLA Bruins who regularly fail to fill the gargantuan arena.
9) Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Sanford Stadium is one of the most recognizable stadiums in college football due to the privet hedges surrounding it. The stadium has grown three-fold from a capacity of 30,000 when it was first opened in 1929.
Fans have only rushed Dooley Field once after beating Tennessee in 2000. Many believe that while the hedges create a mystique, they also double as crowd control because they conceal a low chain-link fence surrounding the field.
8) Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)
The phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” is apt given the standing of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in this list. Not only is the name lengthy, but the home of the Texas Longhorns boasts a capacity of over 100,000. As the program returns to national relevance amidst its transition to the SEC, it last failed to sell out in 2020.
7) Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)
Opening in 1929 with a capacity of just 12,000, Bryant-Denny Stadium has grown exponentially alongside the rise of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program as the powerhouse of college football.
There is some dispute over the stadium’s actual seating capacity, with multiple sources stating that it holds 100,077 while several others — including the NCAA — report the official capacity as 101,821. Who are we to argue with the NCAA?
6) Neyland Stadium (101,915)
Who would have thought that when Neyland Stadium opened its doors in 1921, it would grow into one of the biggest CFB stadiums?
The home of the Tennessee Volunteers started off life with a capacity of 3,200 but has blossomed into a 100,000+ behemoth boasting one of the most incredible atmospheres in the SEC.
5) Tiger Stadium (102,321)
Tiger Stadium celebrates its centenary year in 2024 with a spot among college football’s top five biggest stadiums. Nicknamed “Death Valley,” the home of the LSU Tigers is recognized as having the most intimidating atmosphere, and a night game in SEC season is one of the “must-see” experiences for fans from Baton Rouge and beyond.
4) Kyle Field (102,733)
When EA Sports College Football 25 was initially released, the home of the Texas A&M Aggies was heralded as the hardest place to play in the game. While that might have been a little wide of the mark, there’s no doubt that Kyle Field is right near the top of the biggest CFB stadiums, boasting a capacity of over 102,000. The 12th-man tradition is alive and well.
3) Ohio Stadium (102,780)
Brutus, Brutus, Brutus, can’t you see? “The Horseshoe” just hypnotizes me.
On the bank of the Olentangy River, “the Horseshoe” has seen its capacity bounce between 100,000 and 105,000 over the past two decades. However, the highest-recorded attendance came in 2016 against arch-rival Michigan (110,045). While it’s less than 50 seats larger than Kyle Field, a few seats are all that matters to put Ohio State at three.
2) Beaver Stadium (106,572)
While the SEC lives and dies by its motto of “It Just Means More,” the Big Ten actually boasts the three biggest college football stadiums among its members. Sandwiched between Ohio State and the team that takes the top spot, Beaver Stadium holds an incredible 106,572, but it feels like one million Penn State fans baying for blood during the annual “Whiteout.”
Which Is the Biggest Stadium in College Football?
1) Michigan Stadium (Capacity: 107,601)
Michigan Stadium owns the nickname “The Big House,” and it’s easy to see why. The Michigan Wolverines have continuously possessed one of the biggest stadiums in all of college football.
When the stadium was built in 1927, it had a capacity of 72,000. However, athletic director Fielding Yost pictured a day when Michigan would need 150,000 seats. The stadium previously held a larger audience (109,901) between 2010 and 2015, during which its record was reached at a whopping 115,109 spectators against Notre Dame in 2013.
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