Ranking the NFL Stadiums

[BurgundyNGold]

Her's an interesting little survey. Danny ain't doin' so good.

http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com/nflfavorites.html


#27 FEDEX FIELD
LANDOVER, MARYLAND
WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Whether it's tailgating or the game experience, the whole package here is way too corporate, as if they forgot what an actual football game should be like. Tickets, parking, concessions, souvenirs very expensive.


Danny apologism starts here ->

[Patrick]

It's a real same - should have been the show place of the NFL.
And for all the reasons stated is why I gave up my season tickets (well mainly cost). The only good thing about FedEx is the FANS.

[redskin_rich]

I don't "apologize" for much at all considering the little Danny but he did not build the current stadium.

[smoak]

I don't "apologize" for much at all considering the little Danny but he did not build the current stadium.

Agreed. I'd guess he hates it more than we do.

I think the ranking is fair for the stadium, but not if you take into account the tailgating. I think (as already stated) the fans are what seperates FedEx from nicer stadiums but bigger dumps like Lincoln Financial. We may has lost a little of our enthusiasm over the years, but the tailgating and social experience are close to perfect IMO.

NOTE: I've only been to road games in Buffalo, Arizona, and Philly so they are my benchmark and FedEx tailgating is head and shoulders better. I want to experience other legendary places like GB and Pittsburgh some day.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

Agreed. I'd guess he hates it more than we do.

I think the ranking is fair for the stadium, but not if you take into account the tailgating. I think (as already stated) the fans are what seperates FedEx from nicer stadiums but bigger dumps like Lincoln Financial. We may has lost a little of our enthusiasm over the years, but the tailgating and social experience are close to perfect IMO.

NOTE: I've only been to road games in Buffalo, Arizona, and Philly so they are my benchmark and FedEx tailgating is head and shoulders better. I want to experience other legendary places like GB and Pittsburgh some day.

I don't like the experience before the game. I have not been to a HR tailgate, so I'm sure with the right group of people I would have fun. But there is simply not enough parking around the stadium. And tailgating in the corporate park just seems so lame.

Compare that with Giants stadium (before the ongoing renovations which will screw up this year) where 75% of the people attending the game can park in the stadium lots, and the other 25% park at the arena next to the stadium.

With tailgating, being with good people means more than anything else, so those of you with parking passes and season tickets, you would have fun no matter where you are, but for the casual fan who has to park in the corporate park and take the shuttle bus (which can be a 20 min. ride), it's just not that fun.

[redskin_rich]

I don't like the experience before the game. I have not been to a HR tailgate, so I'm sure with the right group of people I would have fun. But there is simply not enough parking around the stadium. And tailgating in the corporate park just seems so lame.

Compare that with Giants stadium (before the ongoing renovations which will screw up this year) where 75% of the people attending the game can park in the stadium lots, and the other 25% park at the arena next to the stadium.

With tailgating, being with good people means more than anything else, so those of you with parking passes and season tickets, you would have fun no matter where you are, but for the casual fan who has to park in the corporate park and take the shuttle bus (which can be a 20 min. ride), it's just not that fun.

Next time you attend FedEx, drop me or Smoak a PM and we'll hook you up with a great parking spot with us, at nearly half the cost of the stadium parking.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

Next time you attend FedEx, drop me or Smoak a PM and we'll hook you up with a great parking spot with us, at nearly half the cost of the stadium parking.

Thanks. I will hopefully be at the tailgate on opening day, if I can get the wife out of the house on time.

[BurgundyNGold]

I don't "apologize" for much at all considering the little Danny but he did not build the current stadium.
That's true and really hope a move back to DC is in the near future.

That said, Danny charges a lot for everything and delivers on very little. We don't have a decent jumbotron to speak of and the minitron we have is constantly flooded with commercials all game long. And then they use 30 seconds of the Funky 4 time to play yet *another* FedEx commercial, giving the guys about 15 seconds (maybe) to perform before *that* gets cut off. Oh, and the "leaving the mic open" crap is unacceptable.

The late JKC has plenty of the blame for the stadium. But Danny bears the responsibility for what is currently FedExField. He kills my in-game experience pretty effectively. He's like The Terminator of fun.

Like Smoak said, I totally disagree with the tailgating assessment. We have a blast every time we all tailgate together.

[dj_stouty]

There is no doubt that the cash lots suck for tailgating. Its a buzzkill cooking up good BBQ and tossing around a football with friends with a corporate office building as your backdrop.

If I could make one wish, it would be to double the size of the stadium lots and allow everyone to park there. (Impossible, I know...) It would take a premium off those spots and it would stop people from bidding upwards of 100 bucks for a parking pass. There is something mystical about tailgating with a stadium as your backdrop, especially one the size of FedEx. It gets the juices flowing from the time you arrive down to the final walk to the stadium. (with 2 beers in hand, of course)

Inside the stadium, I could really care less. Sure, I wouldn't mind having a bigger screen for replays, but as long as there is football going on and a beer guy not to far away I won't get too picky about my surroudings.

[Keino]

That's true and really hope a move back to DC is in the near future.

That said, Danny charges a lot for everything and delivers on very little. We don't have a decent jumbotron to speak of and the minitron we have is constantly flooded with commercials all game long. And then they use 30 seconds of the Funky 4 time to play yet *another* FedEx commercial, giving the guys about 15 seconds (maybe) to perform before *that* gets cut off. Oh, and the "leaving the mic open" crap is unacceptable.

The late JKC has plenty of the blame for the stadium. But Danny bears the responsibility for what is currently FedExField. He kills my in-game experience pretty effectively. He's like The Terminator of fun.

Like Smoak said, I totally disagree with the tailgating assessment. We have a blast every time we all tailgate together.



I agree about the Minitron and commercials. But I also think you forget what that stadium was like in 1997 and 1998 verses what it is today. Danny desevres some credit for improving what was not a very well thought out and well planned stadium that looked like a big slab of concrete.

The prices, from parking to concessions are very comparable to what every other stadium in the NFL charges.

[redskin_rich]

FedEx has the largest parking capacity (on stadium grounds) of any football stadium, 22K I believe. Compare that to, say, B-More's M&T stadium which has a paltry 4-5K parking spaces.
The parking problem is two-fold:
1. Too many spots are designated to the Club and Suite levels which are mostly coorporate owned and thus, a lot of those parking sections don't get filled. Not even close.
2. (And this relates to the above), Parking passes have become the biggest money maker among ticket brokers. You can mark up a parking pass 300% and sell it, while tickets tend to only be a 50% mark up or less with Club seats.

There are always better options if you seek them and thanks to some of my pals here, I know about one now. Last year was the best tailgating experience I have had since the stadium opened. Never again will I ride a shuttle from a crappy satellite lot.

[CarMike]

One important thing has been overlooked.

Redskin fans get an 8.

Dallass fans get an 5.

:D

[esmith1790]

One important thing has been overlooked.

Redskin fans get an 8.

Dallass fans get an 5.

:D


it has always been that way. we are spoiled and only show up when the boys are making superbowl runs!

[smoak]

I don't like the experience before the game. I have not been to a HR tailgate, so I'm sure with the right group of people I would have fun. But there is simply not enough parking around the stadium. And tailgating in the corporate park just seems so lame.

Compare that with Giants stadium (before the ongoing renovations which will screw up this year) where 75% of the people attending the game can park in the stadium lots, and the other 25% park at the arena next to the stadium.

With tailgating, being with good people means more than anything else, so those of you with parking passes and season tickets, you would have fun no matter where you are, but for the casual fan who has to park in the corporate park and take the shuttle bus (which can be a 20 min. ride), it's just not that fun.

See, I think the people are why I love it so much. I have met so many people from HR that there is always someone to hang with prior to the game. And to top it off, I have not met one person from HR that I didn't really like.... Sure you argue points online about whether or not the MLB was able to successfully shed blocks at the point of attack, but (at least for me) that has nothing to do with having a beer and chatting before a game.

Yes the corpoate lot stinks, but the super secret scary lot is awesome! But I really am the type person that if you gave me some good food, good people, and good beer, I am going to enjoy myself.... Heck, I could tailgate at the post office on April 15th.

Regarding the price of parking, I can't blame the Redskins for that one. Its the law of supply and demand IMO. there are way too many fans and not enough spots, but that isn't Snyder's fault in my mind given that this stadium isn't his baby.

[CNYSkinFan]

I am just surprised Ralph Wilson Stadium ranked as high as it did. Seriously the Superdome in the middle of Katrina was a more welcoming place then the mullet infested stadium Ralph built.

[smoak]

FedEx has the largest parking capacity (on stadium grounds) of any football stadium, 22K I believe. Compare that to, say, B-More's M&T stadium which has a paltry 4-5K parking spaces.
The parking problem is two-fold:
1. Too many spots are designated to the Club and Suite levels which are mostly coorporate owned and thus, a lot of those parking sections don't get filled. Not even close.
2. (And this relates to the above), Parking passes have become the biggest money maker among ticket brokers. You can mark up a parking pass 300% and sell it, while tickets tend to only be a 50% mark up or less with Club seats.

There are always better options if you seek them and thanks to some of my pals here, I know about one now. Last year was the best tailgating experience I have had since the stadium opened. Never again will I ride a shuttle from a crappy satellite lot.

And here is to open that Plan B is always available.

:beer:

[redskin_rich]

And here is to open that Plan B is always available.

:beer:

If we ever lose Plan B, Plan C for me will be to take the Metro and hunker down in a nearby restaurant for pregames. It would still be cheaper than buying a parking pass on the secondary market.

[Meatsnack]

I am just surprised Ralph Wilson Stadium ranked as high as it did. Seriously the Superdome in the middle of Katrina was a more welcoming place then the mullet infested stadium Ralph built.

:lol1: I am picturing a "The Trouble with Tribbles" style infestation of mullets gradually filling and overflowing the stadium.

[dj_stouty]

Here is my take on tailgating at some of the other stadiums...

The newly renovated Soldier Field is very nice inside, but FORGET about tailgating. I didn't see any traditional tailgating lots outside the stadium and everyone seemed to take the subway or park at a parking garage and walk.

Qualcomm (Chargers) may be dumpy inside, but the tailgating is prime outside. Everyone was very friendly and there were tons of gourmet BBQ'ing going on in the lot.

I haven't been to an Eagles game since the Vet, but I remember there being plenty of tailgating spots, since the other stadiums are nearby.

Denver's old Mile High had a decent amount of tailgate parking, and their fans are very diehard, however I remember the parking lots backing up to some unsavory neighborhoods.

FedEx is the best place i've ever tailgated...and Qualcomm is a very close second. Nothing beats being one of the first cars into the FedEx lots and racing down to one of the prime spots bordering some grass to set up shop. The new "secret" area is also very good for the price...although I prefer the FedEx green lots, assuming I'm paying face value for the parking pass.

[redskin_rich]

The new "secret" area is also very good for the price...although I prefer the FedEx green lots, assuming I'm paying face value for the parking pass.

I actually prefer the "secret" spot even if the price was the same. Tons more space, we can save spots for latecomers to our party, no wait for the bathrooms and no dealing with all the pedestrian traffic in the stadium parking lot after the game. Just get in your car and go.

[Patrick]

Here is my take on tailgating at some of the other stadiums...

The newly renovated Soldier Field is very nice inside, but FORGET about tailgating. I didn't see any traditional tailgating lots outside the stadium and everyone seemed to take the subway or park at a parking garage and walk.

Qualcomm (Chargers) may be dumpy inside, but the tailgating is prime outside. Everyone was very friendly and there were tons of gourmet BBQ'ing going on in the lot.

I haven't been to an Eagles game since the Vet, but I remember there being plenty of tailgating spots, since the other stadiums are nearby.

Denver's old Mile High had a decent amount of tailgate parking, and their fans are very diehard, however I remember the parking lots backing up to some unsavory neighborhoods.

FedEx is the best place i've ever tailgated...and Qualcomm is a very close second. Nothing beats being one of the first cars into the FedEx lots and racing down to one of the prime spots bordering some grass to set up shop. The new "secret" area is also very good for the price...although I prefer the FedEx green lots, assuming I'm paying face value for the parking pass.

Tampa is a very good place to tailgate - had a great experience there two years ago - mainly because of SO many Skins fans there. I hoping to make it back there this year again.

[dj_stouty]

I actually prefer the "secret" spot even if the price was the same. Tons more space, we can save spots for latecomers to our party, no wait for the bathrooms and no dealing with all the pedestrian traffic in the stadium parking lot after the game. Just get in your car and go.

Great point about the post-game traffic. I hate getting out of the Green lots.

I love both areas, but if the price is the same, I'll take the spots in the shadow of Fortress FedEx....especially for night games.

[bgforever]

If we ever lose Plan B, Plan C for me will be to take the Metro and hunker down in a nearby restaurant for pregames. It would still be cheaper than buying a parking pass on the secondary market.

This will be the MORE popular market in the future. It in essence will prove to be more formidable in then.

[BandWagon]

Her's an interesting little survey. Danny ain't doin' so good.

http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com/nflfavorites.html



Danny apologism starts here ->

Won't get it from me or Redskins Dave.

[skinsfan44]

I have been to a bunch of away games in the past and let me tell you, none of them compared to the great tailgating at FedEx Field.

The 3 most resent away games I have been to were in Jacksonville (2002), Arizona (2005) and New Orleans (2006).

In Jacksonville, there was not much parking around the stadium, so there was not much room for tailgating. Most people including myself parked away from the stadium and just walked. Plenty of bars around, so most just hung out there until it was time to walk to the stadium.

In AZ, they had plenty of parking around the stadium (Sun Devil), but outside of our tailgate and a few other Redskins fan tailgates, there wasn’t much going on. Again, a lot of bars around the stadium, so a lot of people there didn't bother to tailgate.

In New Orleans, if you didn’t get a parking spot on the top level of the parking garages (we did), there were no other places to really tailgate. The biggest disappointment was that you are not allowed any open flames in the parking lots, and Police on bikes were peddling around telling people to put out the fires in there grills and handing out tickets for doing so. Most people we saw just walked to the stadium that had parked elsewhere in the city.

[chrisbcbu]

I have only been to 3 stadiums. Tampa/New Orleans/Washington.

Washington was by far the best. Tho i did have an excellent time in Tampa as well. they had plenty of areas to tailgate. Tho i hate parking on grass.

New Orleans was just awful. Hardly anywhere to tailgate and not allowed to have open flames. I, of course, broke the law and tailgated in a small bank parking lot and still had a great time. But this may be the worst stadium to tailgate at.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Year after year I see these rankings and it boggles the mind how Alltell or the superdome do well. For some odd reason the superdome ranks substantially higher this year than it did before Katrina. When I was there in 2003 it was a dirty, urine-caked old building.

Alltell is nothing special either. It's a small stadium with horrible parking and typical atmoshpere.

Don't get me started on the toilet bowl.

IMO, the fact that FEDEX holds 93,000 alone is worth putting it in the top 15. I agree that it's too corporate, and Dan blasts commercials during every time out and the guy who picks the music needs to be shot, but we also have up sides, like making the bears commit three false starts in a row, decent tailgating, and selling out longer than any other team.

[RedskinsDave]

Alltell is so-so. I've never had a problem with parking. I don't like how the two upper levels are not connected. Also, what they consider club, ain't club. Good thing their tickets are a lot less than ours.

Dallas is an eyesore from the outside but isn't too bad on the inside. There's not a bad seat in the place because it's not so big.

The same for Giants Stadium. We were 15 rows from the top and probably as far from the field as the first row of the upper deck at Fedex. Luckily I had a great view of all 7 interceptions thrown that day. Thanks guys!

The Vet epitomized Philly, dirty, classless and vulgar. The new stadium is amazing though. Of course, like I've said before, it's like having a beautiful Mercedes and putting a bunch of poop throwing monkeys inside. It takes away from the place when grown men are chanting "a-hole" to a 10 year old in Skins gear.

[smoak]

Alltell is so-so. I've never had a problem with parking. I don't like how the two upper levels are not connected. Also, what they consider club, ain't club. Good thing their tickets are a lot less than ours.

Dallas is an eyesore from the outside but isn't too bad on the inside. There's not a bad seat in the place because it's not so big.

The same for Giants Stadium. We were 15 rows from the top and probably as far from the field as the first row of the upper deck at Fedex. Luckily I had a great view of all 7 interceptions thrown that day. Thanks guys!

The Vet epitomized Philly, dirty, classless and vulgar. The new stadium is amazing though. Of course, like I've said before, it's like having a beautiful Mercedes and putting a bunch of poop throwing monkeys inside. It takes away from the place when grown men are chanting "a-hole" to a 10 year old in Skins gear.

While I thought the Lincoln Financial was nice.... no, make that very nice, I don't care for the open stadiums. I'd much rather try to pack in as many people as you can ala FedEx. Yes it causes a lot of problems, but I just like the site of 90,000+. If FedEx had high def screens everywhere and a few other upgrades, I think it would be a no contest.