Stadium comfort vs atmosphere poll

[archer101]

I am from the UK (now Australia) but visit the US most years to watch football. One thing I have been noticing for years is that as NFL stadiums get bigger & better, the atmosphere gets worse and worse. I never got to see the Orange Bowl, but it is pretty obvious that there was no comparison when it comes to atmosphere.

By far the best NFL stadium I have visited is Green Bay, where people are happy to sit on metal benches in sub-zero temperatures. The old Indy Hoosier dome was amazing. But most of the new places I have seen are sterile and dull and, even worse, quiet. I visited Denver a few years ago for MNF and thought it would be amazing - in reality, the atmosphere was just average. Sun Life has always been terrible when I have been there, and I now have pretty much given up watching the Fins at home and tend to watch them on the road (also more likely to see them win....)

Owners are always telling us that they need these huge new stadiums because fans demand nice seats, endless concessions and huge video screens. But is this really the case? I would much rather sit in bleachers squeezed in with a big crowd where there is a real atmosphere than sit in luxury (and silence) in the club level. Millions of people seem to be happy to do so at College games every week - why do owners think this does not apply in the NFL?

So, a question for you all. Without changing the record of the team, would you be more or less likely to watch the Dolphins at home this season if they were still playing at the Orange Bowl or at SunLife stadium?

 

[JCane]

Orange Bowl.

Not even debatable.

I love being in the club level where it's air conditioned, better food, and cleaner restrooms but I'd trade it all to get that Orange Bowl back.

Atmosphere was unlike any other. The West End Zone was no place for a rival fan. Think of the West End Zone as the Black Hole out in Oakland. Leaning over the rail and banging relentlessly on that metal sign. Fans were right on top of the field. So loud your vision would be blurry. The things I have seen as a kid in the Orange Bowl bathrooms are unspeakable lol. Tailgating was the absolute best. Parking on some random Cubans lawn, the $20 no-blockie guarantee, Cuban food vendors on the sidewalks with the chorizo and arroz con pollo. Incredible, magical place.

Orange Bowl forever in my heart.

 

[Kdawg954]

I would be more likely to go to a game at Sunlife because its convenient to people in Broward as I just jump on the turnpike, pass the county line and I'm there.

I would prefer if they played in the Orange Bowl though, just like I wish the Hurricanes did.

Miami has alot of fans that travel from different parts of Florida to watch them play, so it definitely makes it easier to commute to Sunlife, but the atmosphere at the OB absolutely kills the perks of Sunlife (location, updated)

 

[flynryan15]

With how empty home games are about to get the 4700 fans who show up are going to be real comfortable! Sections to yourself, hell you could probably get naked and not offend anyone.

 

[Mogwai]

Orange Bowl. No question. I would kill to be able to see my teams play there again. Sun Life is definitely more convenient for me, but I don't really give a ****. That place bores me. I loved going to the Orange Bowl. The experience was incredible.

 

[Kinzua]

I am from the UK (now Australia) but visit the US most years to watch football. One thing I have been noticing for years is that as NFL stadiums get bigger & better, the atmosphere gets worse and worse. I never got to see the Orange Bowl, but it is pretty obvious that there was no comparison when it comes to atmosphere.

By far the best NFL stadium I have visited is Green Bay, where people are happy to sit on metal benches in sub-zero temperatures. The old Indy Hoosier dome was amazing. But most of the new places I have seen are sterile and dull and, even worse, quiet. I visited Denver a few years ago for MNF and thought it would be amazing - in reality, the atmosphere was just average. Sun Life has always been terrible when I have been there, and I now have pretty much given up watching the Fins at home and tend to watch them on the road (also more likely to see them win....)

Owners are always telling us that they need these huge new stadiums because fans demand nice seats, endless concessions and huge video screens. But is this really the case? I would much rather sit in bleachers squeezed in with a big crowd where there is a real atmosphere than sit in luxury (and silence) in the club level. Millions of people seem to be happy to do so at College games every week - why do owners think this does not apply in the NFL?

So, a question for you all. Without changing the record of the team, would you be more or less likely to watch the Dolphins at home this season if they were still playing at the Orange Bowl or at SunLife stadium?

Shuffle up to Buffalo for the Bills-Miami game, and you'll find the Ralph much like Lambeau in GB: mostly spartan seating in a plain, old fashioned open air stadium, but boy, does the place rock.

I think that the new stadiums are sterile and quiet because the die-hard football fans have been cut out because they can't afford the much higher ticket prices in the new venues. My friends in Albany who were long-time Jest season ticket holders had to give up theirs because tix in the new stadium were just too pricey.

The teams cater to the corporate types with the big $$$ in their suites, and most fans are lucky to afford to see one game a year because the cost of a pair of seasons approaches the price of a decent used car. The result is that a lot more of the people in the stands are only casual fans with big $$$. Too many come because "the game" is an "in" thing with their clique, NOT because football is their passion.

Back in the 1970s, most stadiums held 75,000-80,000. Now, the Ralph's 74,000 makes it like the 2nd or 3rd largest. Most new stadiums seem to be in the 50,000-65,000 range with much more space given to the suites/boxes and other pricey seating options and "amenities".

 

[jfleag61]

Living in Maryland, I went to see the Dolphins play the Colts at good ol' Memorial Stadium. Loved sitting in the bleachers at the 25 yard line, lower level, open end. That place rocked too. Some great memories of Phins wins. Bring back the old style stadiums!!! Way too many distractions now. Do you really have to watch the jumbo tron to check out your fantasy team while the game is going on??? give me a break. Have you ever seen the size of the crowds at soccer games around the world?? Most of those stadiums are garbage, and the fans pack them and go nuts. The reason why owners want these "sterile" mega stadiums is to attract a super bowl, and to keep out the "blue collar" fan. They want the stadium full of corporate types, so they dont have to be anywhere near the "riff raff". BTW Mr. Ross...I have NO interest in your orange carpet, or your celebrity minority owners....clown.