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NFL Stadiums and Game Day Experiences

Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 6:36 pm
by Robbie
Given the popular 13-year old CFL Stadiums and Game Day Experiences thread and as well as this site: https://stadiumjourney.com/

Let's talk about NFL stadiums as well: https://stadiumjourney.com/nfl/

If you've attended an NFL game, please describe your experiences of the stadium, including its atmosphere, facilities, ambiance, etc.

To start off, I'll say that we all know that Americans spend a lot more money, which includes sporting events and football games are always full and as such, there are huge crowds. And fans can be very loud and rowdy. And with the smaller field, NFL stadiums have larger capacity and fans are closer to the action. I've attended three NFL games and I'll provide some observations using pictures.

CenturyLink Field in Seattle
Under the south end zone, there's a Toyota zone in which a featured guest will hoist up the 12th flag: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
Replay screen is long and wide: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
A second screen is located in the north end zone, and that's where a small section contains bleacher seating: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
About 2/3 of the upper deck is covered, but depending on the wind and rain direction the fans seated there are still exposed to the elements, and of course the players and the lower bowl fans are exposed as well: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
That said, I don't think fan attendance is decreased come November and December when there's lots of rain, cold, and wind. I'm sure a small handful of fans miss the Kingdome during inclement weather.
Championship banners are hung from the west ceiling: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
Wide concourse and food selections: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
But you are still exposed to the elements when you walk to the upper bowl: https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/cen ... -field-s82
Located in Downtown Seattle, parking is very difficult and some buses go there. Aside from Sounder Train and Light Rail, no subway system.

M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore
Fans can be really rowdy there and in general, Baltimore is a very dangerous city.
No covered grandstand at all and no bleachers: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... norama.jpg
The team has its own marching band: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... e-View.jpg
Four very large replay screens - two rectangular and two more square: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... norama.jpg
The seating area appears to enclose the entire field with no gaps: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... e-Game.jpg
Some good executive lounges: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... -Level.jpg and https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... evel-2.jpg
Escalators are available to go up the upper bowl: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... lators.jpg
Located just outside of downtown, parking in a residential area is possible if the fan is willing to walk a distance.

FedExField in Washington DC
Despite its close proximity to Baltimore, the environment is very different as fans are not nearly as rowdy. I went there when the team wasn't doing well.
Located well outside of the Washington DC core area, and is actually in Maryland. Stadium is surrounded by large parking and requires some walking to the closest DC Metro station.
Club level is good: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... -Level.jpg
Seating is entirely enclosed with no covering or bleachers: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... e-Game.jpg
Concourse is okay, but has some outside concourse sections: https://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/u ... s-Wood.jpg