The 20 most underrated college football stadiums

Also called “The Rock.” Located a bit greater than 3,300 ft above sea stage, amid the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Boone, N.C. Kidd Brewer opened in 1962, when it was referred to as Conrad Stadium, and has supplied a robust home-field benefit for the Mountaineers on the FCS and FBS ranges. Positive, the stadium is understood to outsiders for its scenic magnificence; nevertheless, when packed (document 40,168 set in 2022, matched in 2023), it may be fairly the burden for opposing groups. App State owned a 30-game dwelling successful streak from November 2002 to October 2007.

One will get a nice view of the Hudson River if seated excessive sufficient within the west stands. There aren’t many extra scenic venues in all of sports activities than the house subject of the Cadets in West Level, N.Y. Michie, named after cadet Dennis Michie, who performed a serious function in beginning the Military soccer program and was the group’s first coach, celebrated its a centesimal anniversary through the 2023 season. Formally, Michie seats about 38,000, however its most-attended video games all topped 41,000. Military has gained greater than 370 video games whereas residing at Michie.

We constantly hear in regards to the intimidation issue of LSU’s “Loss of life Valley” or the menacing vibration that resonates inside the confines of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium. There’s “The Grove” at Ole Miss, too. Nonetheless, usually caught within the shadows of these tremendous SEC soccer buildings is that this dwelling of the Auburn Tigers. Greater than 88,000 can pack Jordan-Hare, and it may be intimidating. To not point out, the game-day ambiance of tailgating across the stadium and on the town is likely one of the nice school soccer experiences.

The panorama surrounding the house of the Cougars is sort of scenic, and the stadium is called for the legendary and beloved BYU coach. With the Squaw, Y, and Buckley Mountains all within the background, BYU’s dwelling subject is an open-air surprise that is additionally relatively intimate. The stadium seats greater than 63,000, and it all the time appears the solar is out in superb kind for these day video games. Then, there’s the historical past. Jim McMahon, Steve Younger, Ty Detmer. Enjoyable reality: A large collection of Jurassic-period fossils was stored under the stadium’s stands until 2005. 

Even earlier than Deion Sanders took over the Buffaloes program, Folsom Area has lengthy been a must-visit school soccer setting for any school soccer fan searching for a highway journey. Now, the stadium is simply part of the gorgeous Boulder campus. In 2024, the stadium turns 100. Although not fairly bowl-shaped, the sphere is very intimate and could be a ache for opposing groups with a capability simply north of fifty,000. The college’s athletic workplaces and “Champions Heart,” situated instantly behind the north finish zone, and the uncovered brick facade are two of the extra notable parts of this stunning facility.

Roos Area is finest recognized for its vibrant pink turf (upgraded in 2020) and is dwelling to one of many high applications in FCS. That success has allowed Jap Washington College to renovate the stadium (which opened in 1967), making it extra compact (thus probably chopping down on the wind that all the time appears to blow) and intimidating to the opposition. Aka “The Inferno,” the Roos is actually a home-field benefit when the Eagles are sporting their all-red uniforms. A still-record crowd of 11,702 noticed EWU high rival Montana on Sept. 18, 2010, within the preliminary sport performed on the pink turf.

A small-school venue with a big-time really feel. Paulson Stadium seats about 25,000 (however has surpassed that quantity) and offers an intimate and probably raucous school soccer setting. The addition of a brick facade years again was a pleasant contact, plus a state-of-the-art elevated video board has allowed Paulson to slot in fairly effectively because the Georgia Southern program moved as much as the FBS stage in 2014. It additionally boasts a number of suites and luxurious containers, however the nook grass seating is likely to be the stadium’s finest attribute. 

When it comes to aesthetics, there’s not a lot to jot down dwelling about Bobby Dodd, which has been round, in its earliest kind, since 1905 (making it the oldest present FBS stadium). Nonetheless, there’s one thing particular in regards to the location of the house of the Yellow Jackets. Located on the east facet of Georgia Tech’s campus, the stadium is tucked in simply west of Interstate 85 and offers good views of the downtown Atlanta skyline. That stadium setting is superb for night time video games when the lights of downtown are vibrant, and the sphere offers an intimate oasis in a jam-packed southern metropolis. To not point out, it is a quick stroll throughout the expressway to The Varsity drive-in restaurant, which is an establishment itself.

The Ivy League’s wealthy institutional historical past additionally consists of its sports activities services. Harvard Stadium is definitely situated throughout the Charles River in Boston and seats roughly 25,000, however it has a coliseum-like vibe, particularly when viewing from the skin. Since round 1903, Harvard Stadium has been the oldest everlasting concrete construction used for intercollegiate athletics. Along with internet hosting the Crimson soccer group, Harvard Stadium was the positioning of america Olympic males’s observe and subject trials 1912, 1920, 1924,1928, and soccer matches for the 1984 Summer time Video games. 

Full disclosure: Kinnick Stadium makes our record attributable to one in every of school soccer’s biggest and most up-to-date traditions. Because the College of Iowa Kids’s Hospital’s new facility opened subsequent door to the stadium in 2017, these in attendance and on the sphere wave to sufferers and households trying on on the finish of the primary quarter. Generally known as The Hawkeye Wave, it is a remarkably touching gesture that has turn into a extremely anticipated second like no different custom within the stadium’s historical past; it opened in 1929, has seen a number of well-received renovations, and at the moment seats greater than 69,000. 

Sure, this famed Memphis stadium, situated on the Mid-South Fairgrounds, would appear outdated. It is a one-tier facility that does not have a lot of a method to set up luxurious suites that might improve a venue with a capability of greater than 58,000. Nonetheless, the house of the Memphis Tigers and traditionally viable Liberty Bowl postseason contest nonetheless has one thing particular to supply by way of old-school historical past that also has some worth — particularly to school soccer followers who consider stated historical past remains to be necessary and price preserving.

Positive, dwelling video games in November could be frosty within the Twin Cities, and snow is all the time potential. Nonetheless, at the least the present outside dwelling of the Golden Gophers (since 2009) is an unlimited enchancment over the sterile confines of the Metrodome. Completely cutting-edge, full with near-perfect sightlines, and to not point out that Minnesota followers (greater than 50,000 can comfortably match inside) will get loud sufficient to trigger hassle for the opposition. The view of Minneapolis’ downtown skyline additionally gives one other amenity well worth the admission value. 

To opposing groups and their followers — ought to they be up for a highway journey — Davis Wade Stadium could be a nightmare, primarily due to these pesky cowbells that the house crowd likes to make the most of on nearly each event for one of the great college football traditions. The stadium first noticed service in 1914, thus making it the fourth-oldest school soccer venue within the sport. Greater than 61,000 followers (relatively small for SEC requirements) can pack Davis Wade, and that may occur, particularly when it is the Bulldogs’ flip to host the annual Egg Bowl versus rival Ole Miss. 

Technically, the house of the Bison will not be an precise dome. It might most likely finest be described as an outsized enviornment that may seat within the neighborhood of 18,000 soccer followers. With a document 9 FCS nationwide championships, NDSU has lengthy been a school soccer juggernaut at that stage, and the Fargodome, which opened for enterprise in 1992, has performed a serious half in that success. The constructing can get loud, even when not at full capability. The Bison’s rabid dwelling followers, decked in inexperienced and yellow, have a tendency to face a lot of the sport, and their voices are normally shot when the ultimate whistle blows. 

The college at the moment referred to as Oklahoma State has been enjoying soccer on this website since 1920, and there stays one thing particular in regards to the dwelling of the Cowboys. Almost 54,000 can match inside Boone Pickens Stadium, which can appear fairly spacious on tv however could be fairly compact and intimidating in individual. In some ways, the stadium has blossomed right into a soccer fortress. One which has been upgraded to incorporate all of the wanted trendy facilities with out shedding its total character and custom.

There are a lot of notable stadiums and arenas on the West Coast, however Autzen by no means appears to obtain its due credit score. Previous to transferring into the fashionable and uniquely designed Autzen Stadium in 1967, the Geese performed on the college’s famed Hayward Area (finest referred to as dwelling to Oregon’s legendary observe and subject group). Their present dwelling has a basic bowl form, however the stands are prolonged upward on every sideline. Located simply off the Willamette River, Autzen Stadium is a real gem for its soccer goal and total magnificence.

West Lafayette may not exude the college-town picture, however there’s something cool in regards to the soccer dwelling of the Boilermakers. First, the stadium can seat greater than 61,000 individuals, however there isn’t a unhealthy seat in the home. Plus, followers are proper on high of the motion, as even the best seats within the stadium can nonetheless really feel the crunch of the pads as if one had been on the sidelines. To not point out, after exiting out the south finish zone, followers stroll proper right into a residence corridor quad space that is normally full of events or the scholars’ personal sport of soccer happening.

Very similar to the Liberty Bowl, the Solar Bowl definitely has its place in historical past relating to custom. The stadium was constructed for the college and, extra particularly, to host the Solar Bowl. It opened in 1963, and although the bowl matchups aren’t all the time interesting, the stadium’s picturesque location (dug into the foothills) exudes school soccer custom. It is nonetheless broadcast on CBS, performed through the afternoon between Christmas and New 12 months’s Day, and followers get a particular deal with when it snows on sport day. The Solar Bowl seats roughly 50,000 and is actually a particular place.

Greater than 65,000 followers can pack themselves into the house of the Hokies, which feels compact however refreshingly open in sure areas. And man, can this place get going — particularly when the house group is about to take the sphere and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” is blasted to the hilt. That units off the fan base, almost all leaping in place. It was an imposing sight, regardless of how poorly the Hokies is likely to be performing on the time. Different traditions at this scenic Blacksburg venue embody the large on-field cannon “Skipper” and the favored, family-friendly game-day hangout referred to as “Hokie Village.”

We will not spotlight Harvard with out together with its chief rival, Yale. The Yale Bowl has existed since 1914 and at the moment seats greater than 61,000 — greater than its counterpart at Harvard. The title additionally speaks for itself. The venue is claimed to have impressed the likes of different well-known bowl-shaped stadiums, such because the Rose Bowl and Michigan Stadium. In fact, the game-day traditions, such because the “Bulldogs Stroll” and well-known tailgating scenes, solely add to the legacy of this grand facility.