Ranking all 18 Big Ten football stadium atmospheres from worst to first

USA Today

20 hours ago

No college football conference matches the Big Ten's classic collection of programs, brands and stadiums. With June being generally quiet in terms of 2025 season preparation, now is the perfect time to evaluate that entire off-the-field landscape.
To do so, earlier this month, we re-ranked the Big Ten's 18 football stadiums after the 2024 season, as well as the conference's uniform combinations, its classic collection of helmets and its memorable fight songs. An unsurprising theme persisted: the conference's storied programs tended to rank well in every measure. One of those programs, of course, is Wisconsin. The Badgers boast our fifth-best stadium, third-best uniform, eighth-best helmet and second-best fight song. While the program has struggled on the field as of late, it is still among the Big Ten's most historic and recognizable.
Now, just as we did with the conference's 18 basketball arenas, it's time to evaluate the Big Ten's toughest football stadiums to visit, which teams are elevated by a top-tier home-stadium environment and how a football game atmosphere correlates with a stadium's overall ranking.
The answers to those questions and more can be found in our power ranking of the Big Ten's 18 football stadium atmospheres.
18. Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium (Northwestern Wildcats)
Capacity: 12,023
Stadium Rank: 13
I'm a big fan of Northwestern's temporary setup on Lake Michigan. It's unique, which is a good thing in the college football world. That said, the stadium lacks in terms of in-game atmosphere. The most notable part of the spectator experience is the view of the lake.
17. Rose Bowl Stadium (UCLA Bruins)
Capacity: 89,702
Stadium Rank: 1
The Rose Bowl is the best venue in college football. That is, when the Rose Bowl Game is considered. UCLA home games leave a lot to be desired when it comes to in-game atmosphere. Part of that could be the 40-minute drive between the campus and the stadium.
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
16. SHI Stadium (Rutgers Scarlet Knights)
Capacity: 52,454
Stadium Rank: 18
Some of these stadiums are generally disadvantaged by a subpar on-field product. That could've been said about Rutgers before 2020. But since Greg Schiano's return, the program has made three bowl games in four non-COVID seasons and has finished with a winning record in two of them. Still, the most challenging part about visiting SHI Stadium is the cross-country trip to New Jersey.
15. SECU Stadium (Maryland Terrapins)
Capacity: 51,802
Stadium Rank: 17
Maryland's home crowd has tried to will their Terrapins to a marquee home win. That result just hasn't followed. The program has not defeated a ranked conference opponent at home since 2010 -- when it was still in the ACC. That streak includes 15 straight losses at home to ranked Big Ten opponents. Again, that isn't a fault of the fanbase or the environment it creates.
14. Memorial Stadium (Indiana Hoosiers)
Capacity: 52,626
Stadium Rank: 12
This stadium could continue to rocket up our rankings if Curt Cignetti continues his winning ways. The Hoosiers went undefeated at home in 2024. By the end of their winning streak, Memorial Stadium had the best atmosphere in its long history.
13. L.A Memorial Coliseum (USC Trojans)
Capacity: 77,500
Stadium Rank: 10
Like the Rose Bowl, this building is among the most historic in all of sports, let alone just college football. However, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the in-game environment. USC could be a national contender, and there would still be better things to do in Los Angeles.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
12. Memorial Stadium (Illinois Fighting Illini)
Capacity: 60,670
Stadium Rank: 14
Like Indiana's home venue, Illinois' Memorial Stadium is trending positively after the Fighting Illini delivered a program-best season in 2024. The stadium's atmosphere ranking could continue its forward momentum if Bret Bielema and his team deliver on sky-high expectations in 2025.
11. Ross-Ade Stadium (Purdue Boilermakers)
Capacity: 57,236
Stadium Rank: 16
The Ryan Walters era shouldn't make fans forget about night games at Ross-Ade Stadium during the Jeff Brohm era from 2017-22. The Boilermakers knocked off No. 2 Ohio State and No. 19 Iowa at home in 2018, plus No. 5 Michigan State in 2021. While the stadium itself isn't highly ranked, its environment is consistently impressive.
10. Huntington Bank Stadium (Minnesota Golden Gophers)
Capacity: 50,805
Stadium Rank: 15
Minnesota has become a sneaky-tough place to play for Big Ten teams. Don't believe that? Go ask the then-No. 11 USC Trojans, who fell 24-17 to the Gophers in a true 'welcome to the Big Ten' moment last season. Huntington Bank Stadium generates a strong in-game environment, especially when there's weather.
9. Michigan Stadium (Michigan Wolverines)
Capacity: 107,601
Stadium Rank: 9
As we've outlined in each of our stadium rankings, Michigan Stadium is among the most overrated in the sport. That doesn't mean it's a bad venue or that it generates a poor atmosphere. It just isn't comparable to the top venues in the conference. Its seating build-out makes what is the largest stadium in America quieter than some of its Big Ten counterparts.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
8. Memorial Stadium (Nebraska Cornhuskers)
Capacity: 85,458
Stadium Rank: 8
Nebraska's in-game environment has fallen in recent years, partially due to the program's on-field struggles. But the stadium still has its fastball. That was seen during Nebraska's big home win over Colorado last season. The team beginning to win consistently would elevate this venue's atmosphere as one of the sport's best.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
7. Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin Badgers)
Capacity: 80,321
Stadium Rank: 5
Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium delivers one of the more consistent in-game atmospheres in the conference. All that's missing are marquee home wins -- something Luke Fickell's Badgers got close to twice last season (vs. Oregon and Penn State). Fickell turning the Badgers around could lead this ranking to rise in the coming years.
6. Husky Stadium (Washington Huskies)
Capacity: 70,138
Stadium Rank: 6
Husky Stadium is a notable new entry to this list as of last season. It is one of college football's most beautiful stadiums, with an atmosphere to match. This will consistently be one of the tougher places for Midwest teams to travel for conference matchups.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire
5. Autzen Stadium (Oregon Ducks)
Capacity: 54,000
Stadium Rank: 4
Autzen Stadium is similar to Husky Stadium, just a bit smaller. It is exactly half the size of Michigan Stadium, which makes its decibel level and in-game atmosphere even more impressive. Oregon being among the top programs in the sport aids that environment.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
4. Spartan Stadium (Michigan State Spartans)
Capacity: 75,005
Stadium Rank: 11
This ranking considers Spartan Stadium when Michigan State is at its peak, like it was for 13 years under Mark Dantonio. This is one of the toughest places in the Big Ten to play when the Spartans are good. The fanbase just needs Jonathan Smith to bring the program back to its typical standing.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
3. Kinnick Stadium (Iowa Hawkeyes)
Capacity: 69,250
Stadium Rank: 7
Stadium atmospheres are ranked favorably when they match the football team's identity. With that, there's something about Kinnick Stadium and Iowa's stout defense that lends to a fantastic gameday environment. Iowa and its fans are more than happy to win 15-6.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
2. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State Buckeyes)
Capacity: 102,780
Stadium Rank: 2
Ohio Stadium might be one of the three toughest places to play in the sport. Part of that is due to a Buckeyes program that is among the nation's best, though part is also due to a fantastic in-game environment. The only issue is that Michigan has won two straight in the building.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
1. Beaver Stadium (Penn State Nittany Lions)
Capacity: 106,572
Stadium Rank: 3
Not much needs to be written about the Beaver Stadium atmosphere. Penn State is almost unbeatable at home overall, let alone during night games. The highlights of its College Football Playoff win over SMU should tell an accurate story.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
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