#TBT: 5 Historic NFL Stadiums to Visit Before You Die

By ScoreBig on October 23, 2014

There are certain things everyone should see in their lifetime: The Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon, Machu Pichu, and… Lambeau Field? Yeah, that’s right. We just compared having NFL tickets to experiencing some of the most amazing spectacles on earth because, well: it is. Or at least it is for football fans.

It’s not just Lambeau Field though that turns into a magical place on game day, when the crowd seems to bring the very soil on the field to life. Nope, there are a few others we think you’ll agree also have a history and tradition one must experience in person to truly understand and appreciate. So get out that bucket list because, in honor of #TBT, we’re about to give you five more places you’ve just gotta get NFL tickets to visit while you’re still on earth.

#5. Ralph Wilson Stadium/Buffalo Bills

Built in 1973, this Buffalo Bills stadium was originally named Rich Stadium after a Buffalo-based food products company, but was renamed in 1998 for team founder (and then-owner) Ralph Wilson. The open-air stadium falls into the “historic” category mostly ‘cause it’s 41 years old and the 5th oldest NFL stadium still in use. While it originally sat just over 80,000 fans, due to renovations it now holds just under 72K.

Not a whole lot has happened at Ralph Wilson other than Bills football, although one time in 1984 there was a supercross motorcycle racing event. Also, a bunch of famous bands have played there including The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Metallica, and Guns n’ Roses. Led Zeppelin would have played there in 1977, but had to cancel due to the death of Robert Plant’s son. Sadly, you can’t actually see live music there anymore and the last band to ever perform was… ‘N Sync.

The good news for Bills fans is that the stadium recently underwent $130 million in renovations, which included a new entrance, better lighting in the concourses, and a new bar scene. Don’t worry though, they still sell Beef on Weck and, of course, wings.

The good news for fans and anyone who wants to experience a game in this historic setting is there are some great home matchups ahead for the 4-3 Bills. Get Buffalo Bills tickets for the Chiefs, Jets, Browns, and Packers for what’s sure to be some good football.

#4. Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City Chiefs

When construction began on Arrowhead Stadium in 1968, it was supposed to have a roof that would roll between the side-by-side football and baseball stadiums. But that turned out to be as complicated as it sounds, which is why Arrowhead has the open-air configuration you see today. (There was a moment again in 1984 when a fabric dome was contemplated, but that was deemed unnecessary and also too expensive.) Still, when Arrowhead opened in 1972, George Halas, founder of the Chicago Bears, called the stadium, “the most revolutionary, futuristic, sports complex” he had ever seen.

The “Home of the Chiefs” is the fifth largest NFL stadium in terms of seating capacity, holding just under 76,5000 fans. It’s those fans that set a Guinness World Record in 2013 for the loudest stadium (137.5 decibels) during a game against the Oakland Raiders. Seattle broke the record at their stadium a few months later (137.6 decibels), but the Chiefs fans remained undeterred and broke it again this past September during a Monday night game against the Patriots. How loud did they get? 142.2 decibels, which is basically equivalent to standing 50 meters from a jet.

Arrowhead recently underwent a massive $375 million renovation that was completed in 2010 and included refurbished club levels, restaurants, and concession areas, but the heart of the stadium remains unchanged. Still ahead at home this season for the Chiefs: the Seahawks, Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers.

#3. Qualcomm Stadium/San Diego Chargers

Qualcomm Stadium was built in 1967 with the intention of being a multipurpose facility. Since that time, it’s been home to the San Diego Chargers, the San Diego Padres (they left in 2003), the San Diego State University Aztecs (football), college bowl games, international soccer matches, rugby matches, and three Super Bowls (1988, 1998, and 2003).

The stadium was originally called San Diego Stadium, but when beloved San Diego Union sports editor Jack Murphy (the guy who originally campaigned for a new first-class stadium in the 60s) passed away, the stadium was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium or “The Murph” as fans called it. A statue of Jack Murphy and his dog Abe who he often wrote about in his articles can be seen in front of the stadium that is now named Qualcomm (at least until 2017 when the naming rights expire).

Qualcomm has hosted a lot of popular bands, including U2, Pink Floyd, the Eagles, The Who, and, yes, ‘N SYNC, but it’s the sports moments people most remember. Willie Mays hit his 600th home run there in 1969, Lou Brock stole his 892nd base to tie Ty Cobb’s record in 1977, the Padres played two World Series there (one in 1984 against the Detroit Tigers and the other in 1998 against the New York Yankees) and lost both of them.

The Chargers are off to a great start this year with a 5-2 record and have yet to lose at home. Get tickets one of their upcoming games against the Raiders, Rams, Patriots, and Broncos.

#2: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome/New Orleans Saints

The Superdome opened in 1975 in the heart of New Orleans and has been an incredibly popular destination for sporting events ever since. Name it and it’s been played there: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, and most recently: the 30th annual WrestleMania pay-per-view event, which had an attendance of over 75,000 people.

It’s also hosted the coolest list of musicians of any venue on this list, including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, The Temptations, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. Oh, and Pope John Paul II addressed 80,000 children there in 1987, no big deal.

The Superdome was built to withstand winds of up to 200mph, a feat that was put to the test when it was used as a “shelter of last resort” during Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005. Unfortunately, the roof did suffer damage during the hurricane allowing rain to come in and it also began to flood on the field level, forcing the 15,000-20,000 evacuees to be moved to the Reliant Astrodome in Houston.

The dome was closed until the following year when a $320 million renovation took place, but it came back just as loud and crazy as ever, and is one of the best places to watch an NFL game. Just know if they lose… You might hear a fan say it’s because the team is cursed thanks to the legend that the Superdome was built on an old cemetery, creating some unhappy spirits who don’t like football being played on their graves.

#1: Lambeau Field/Green Bay Packers

If there is one football field in the NFL you must go to in your lifetime, it’s Lambeau Field, the oldest continually operating NFL stadium and home to the Green Bay Packers. When you walk into Lambeau, you can feel the history seeping into your pores. The seats are hard, backless aluminum benches, the sightlines unobstructed… it’s truly hallowed ground.

The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the Unite States and whether it’s because of that or because people in Green Bay really just love their football team, it manages to maintain a small-town feel. Green Bay has a population of just over 104,000 and Lambeau holds 80,735 people. And yet, every single home game has been sold out since 1960. In fact, the Packers have a season ticket waiting list with over 86,000 people on it. That’s right: there are more people waiting for tickets than there are seats in the stadium.

And though Lambeau Field is almost entirely known for football, cheeseheads, and the Lambeau Leap, they also hold concerts there (Kenny Chesney, anyone) and have even had a snowmobile competition or two. Not gonna find THAT in San Diego.

Get tickets for an upcoming Green Bay Packers game and experience the magic that is Lambeau Field for yourself.

What stadiums are on your bucketlist? Save up to 60% below box office price NFL tickets with ScoreBig.com. And today you can save  save an extra $20 (off of order $120 or me) when you enter code TBTSAVE20 at checkout.

By Daisy Barringer