What are the loudest NFL stadiums?

Sports fans are often rowdy and rambunctious, but NFL fans are a whole different breed. 

NFL fans are some of the most dedicated fans known to sports and this has been an asset for teams for generations. Whether it’s the cheerleaders or the tens of thousands of people cheering in the stands, football is not football without fans. 

With the 2023 season just beginning, let’s take a look at which NFL stadiums are the loudest:

What are the loudest NFL stadiums?

Here are the top 10 loudest NFL stadiums:

10. Gillette Stadium

Located in Foxborough, Mass., the home of the New England Patriots makes the top 10 loudest NFL stadiums to date. And it's no surprise considering the Pats have produced and showcased some of the best players in the NFL, including the iconic Tom Brady. 

Opened in 2002 to replace the original Foxboro Stadium, Gillette seats 65, 878 fans. The decibel level, which is how we measure sound, once reached a high of 106.4 in 2011.

9. AT&T Stadium

Formerly known as Cowboys Stadium, AT&T Stadium is located in Arlington, Texas, and is home to the Dallas Cowboys.

The stadium, which opened in 2009, seats about 87,000. However, with its extra standing-room-only area, the stadium can actually fit closer to 100,000 on a day it’s needed.

The average sound level of the arena is 87 decibels.

8. Acrisure Stadium

Located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh and home of the Steelers, Acrisure Stadium is also one of the rowdiest residences for the National Football League. 

The stadium, known as Heinz Field until 2022, holds 68,400. But even though the stadium capacity is smaller than venues like AT&T Stadium, the loudness remains the same. A fan once clocked the sound measurement to be 90 decibels.

7. U.S. Bank Stadium

Home of the Minnesota Vikings, U.S. Bank Stadium is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. The stadium opened its doors in 2016 and was built in replace the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. And since that expansion, the fans got noticeably louder.

Despite having only 66,000 seats, the stadium holds about 73,000 because of its immense outdoor space and clubs.

The peak loudness level was measured at 120.1 decibels, and according to Purdue scientists, that is similar to the level of noise made by a chainsaw.

6. Lucas Oil Stadium

Opened in 2008 to replace the RCA Dome, Lucas Oil Stadium serves as the home to the Indianapolis Colts. It is located in downtown Indianapolis and seats about 70,000.

Though the decibel level only reaches about 86, the loudness still tops most stadiums. Clearly Colts fans are some of the most rambunctious. 

5. State Farm Stadium

Just west of Phoenix, State Farm Stadium is the home of the Arizona Cardinals and the annual Fiesta Bowl. The arena replaced Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe when it opened its doors in 2006. It holds about 63,400 rowdy Cardinals fans.

Here, the decibel level has hit up to 130 decibels, and this is noticeably more than most stadiums of this size.

4. Lambeau Stadium

Home to the Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Stadium is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The stadium has been standing for quite a long time, opening in 1957. It replaced the original City Stadium, which was located at Green Bay East High School and served as the Packers’ home.

The stadium holds 81,441, and though it is one of the oldest NFL stadiums, it is also one of the loudest – maxing at about 123 decibels. 

3. Caesars Superdome

Also one of the oldest NFL arenas, Caesars Superdome opened in 1975. It was formerly known as the Mercedes Benz Superdome. 

Located in the heart of the Central Business District in New Orleans, the stadium is the home of the New Orleans Saints and seats about 75,295.

In 2013, the arena set a Guinness World Record as the loudest stadium when it hit 136.6 decibels during a game against the Niners.

2. Lumen Field

The home of the Seattle Seahawks has seen quite a few names in its day. At first the arena was called Seahawks Stadium when it opened in 2002. In 2011, the arena was renamed CenturyLink, and in 2020 the stadium was rebranded as Lumen Field. 

The stadium seats about 72,000 and has been widely regarded as one of the loudest arenas – it hit 137.6 decibels during a 2013 game.

1. Arrowhead Stadium 

Finally, the very loudest of all NFL stadiums is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Arrowhead holds about 77,000 spectators. 

The stadium holds the Guinness World Record for loudest open outdoor stadium. It hit 142.2 decibels during a 2014 game when only 76,416 fans showed up. This sound was equivalent to a jet engine.