I was thinking on this last night and a few places came to mind as my favorite, but after some debate it was unsurprisingly this:
This is in no way limited to football, I just have a slight bias :) But I am also looking for the best places to go that I haven't been to yet, so I was curious on the input from the 11w community
What's yours?
The Rose Bowl and besides Ohio Stadium, another venue is not even close to Pasadena.
The shoe for sure
The shoe for sure. I've had one of the worst seats in the stadium (b deck 10 yard line second row from the top obstructed view by one of the support pillars for c deck) and it was still a good seat. It's a wonderful design and all additions in my opinion have improved the stadium without detracting from its original design and beauty.
Fitzbuck
Toledo - Ohio's right armpit
"A troll by any other name is still a troll".
I have a sick fisher price hoop hanging in an archway in my living room that me and the kids get nasty on, so aside from The Ohio Stadium, Heart of Ohio court is my favorite.
Love Ohio Stadium, but would love to go to a game in the Rose Bowl some day, preferably when the Buckeyes are playing in it for a NC.
"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."
Don't care much for car or horse racing, but Churchill Downs and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are awesome venues that everyone should see...we're fortunate to be an easy drive to both.
D. Anthony
Churchill Downs is awesome, took a tour once, they had a grandson of secretariat there
In summer time they do night racing on Fridays. It's a blast. You get that fun atmosphere with a buzz in the crowd, but it's not ridiculously packed like the derby. I went to the first Friday night racing and I think the crowd was somewhere around 50K. They had discounted drinks like 2 dollar beers and frozen margaritas. It was a good time. The paddock was a big party area. It's a little taste of derby atmosphere without all the puke, mud, and portapotty races you get in the infield on derby day.
PacBell (or whatever it's called now) Ballpark in San Francisco is awesome. Great microbrews and eats. I sat on the wall at McCovey's Cove and you can look forward and see the game or turn around and look out to the Pacific. Pretty dope.
Lots of good reviews of PacBell. I love visiting baseball stadiums, I must get out there.
I lived out in SF for a while. Pac Bell is awesome. I liked Candlestick as well, mostly for it's scenic location & history.
As to the OP - I saw a game at The Big House once...it was when Toledo beat them, I liked that venue that day.
However, nothing, & I mean nothing comes close to The Shoe...
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
Gotta go with Fenway Park. Haven't made it to the shoe but when I do I'm sure it'll be right up there. The sox in Fenway, is just an incredible experience. Should def be on everyones bucket list to see a game there
Not my favorite but definitely a place worth visiting is: Bristol Motor Speedway. Even if you're not a race fan this is a sight to see. Not sure if they're still planning on playing a college football game there but at some point I believe it was rumored that Auburn was going to play Tennessee inside Bristol.
Caught a Tribe game in the Bronx back in 2005. I've heard the new venue is nice, but I just felt something in Yankee Stadium.
The postgame show is brought to you by... Christ, I can't find it. The hell with it...
When I lived in New Jersey, I had playoff tickets to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.......Man that place was electric plus the fact it was in the city didn't hurt either. Also I went and saw an Eagles concert at the Meadowlands....both very nice venues
Battles are sometimes won by generals; wars are nearly always won by sergeants and privates. Football is no different, the guys down in the trenches win the games, not the coach.
I'm so partial to the Jake. From age 10-18 I enjoyed season tickets there when that place was magic. 466 strait sell outs and great teams. Every game was like a playoff game.
But obviously the shoe for football but I would love to go enjoy some other environments outside of the B1G. (Ive been to NW, Penn State and SCUM).
I really enjoyed Camden Yards (Great park) and Wrigley (nostalgia and atmosphere).
Anyone ever been to one of the storied basketball arenas? MSG or old Boston Gardens for NBA, or Fog Allen, Cameron Indoor, or Butler for basketball?
Ive been to a ton of games at MSG. it always has a great atmosphere but had been in need of an upgrade for a long time, which they are in the middle of doing now (i think it will be done in a few years). They are replacing seats, widening the corridors, upgrading concessions, bathrooms, moving the suites down, etc.
I also saw a few sixers games at the old Spectrum.
I havent been to the Palestra, but its supposed to be a really unique experience. I believe the Buckeyes played St Joes there a few years ago.
http://www.pennathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1700&ATCLID=66183
been to the Dean Dome and Cameron, Cameron wins, place gets crazy
Wrigley Field is awesome, too. But The Shoe is #1
Ohio Stadium - This still gives me chills:
Yankee Stadium -Ive been to a bunch of World Series and playoff games there and the prior version of the stadium was the loudest crowd ive witnessed. The whole place shook.
MSG, which, thank god, is in the middle of an upgrade!
Wrigley Field is pretty cool
I don't really have a favorite. There are places that are special to go see a game. I love going to Ohio Stadium for the one game a year I usually make it to. I can't say that it'd be super special to me if I went every weekend though. Being crammed on the bleachers and getting kicked in the back all game by the people behind me gets old that's for sure. The atmosphere is great though and being in a crowd of 105,000 is amazing.
I really like GABP. That's the venue I go see the most games. After years of Riverfront/Cinergy it's nice to have a place that you can be comfortable and enjoy the game. I love the food options and it's pretty nice they offer Morelein beers there now too.
I've been to Arrowhead Stadium when the Chiefs were good. It was a fun place to watch a game. They had a real college football atmosphere there. A ton of tailgating, and a buzz in the crowd. I though it was a pretty nice stadium for as old as it was too.
I've been to a bunch of games at Rupp Arena. It's pretty cool. Like UK or hate them, it's pretty awesome to go into their arena and see only banners from final four, runner up, and championships hanging up. It's kind of like Ohio Stadium to me though. Great place to see a game, but not very comfortable at all. They have bleachers with even less space than Ohio Stadium. You're lucky to get 1 cheek on.
Since someone mentioned horse racing above, I'll agree Churchill is cool, but if you really want an awesome venue, you must go to Keeneland. The facility and grounds look like a park. It's a beautiful place. It's also a day long ordeal. You get there at the crack of dawn and tailgate. Everyone is dressed nice, and the drunk college girls are all in little sun dresses lol. Whether you enjoy horse racing or not, Keeneland is a must.
I absolutely love the Rose Bowl. I just went to the game this past year and I had a blast. The only thing that would have made that experience better is if Ohio State were playing there, but that's in the past now.
That being said, my personal favorite is the Sun Bowl. Growing up in El Paso, the stadium wasn't always full for Miner games, but I still think it's one of the most scenic and unique stadiums in the country besides The Shoe. Part of the stadium is cut out of the mountains and the border between the U.S. and Mexico is about a quarter mile behind the stadium. Great stadium and great views.
It's true... We really are a bunch of nuts!
Go Bucks!
Memorial Stadium in Berkeley is great .... the Shoe is Mecca.
Ohio stadium is awesome love the atmosphere there. Great American ballpark is a great place to see a baseball game a night game there is amazing you have the river in the background it's cool.
I actually think my favorite stadium I have ever been to is Sun Devil stadium in Tempe. It is nestled in between two mountains and the scenery in that area is fantastic.
"Who cares? Go Bucks." - Aaron Untch
agreed...plus, some big game happened there a little over ten years ago
the kids are playing their tail off, and the coaches are screwing it up! - JLS
Fenway Park is just an amazing ballpark to see a game at. I went to three last year on a trip to Boston and it being my first time, well, I was very impressed. Sat up on the green monster for batting practice and caught a couple home run balls. Boston as a city is just historic and its just a great feeling city. Also, gamedays for baseball around Fenway are nuts. I would definitely suggest a.) a trip to Boston for anyone and b.) a trip to Fenway for the gameday atmosphere and stadium for a baseball nut like me.
Also, my friends dad could probably tell you all about stadiums. He's been to every NHL arena and every MLB stadium. Pretty fancy hobby eh?
It's about as close to a College Football game that you can get. The game day experience there is really the only reason why I'm a Red Sox fan. I've been there for 7 games, and my name is on Pesky's pole for each game I was there. I haven't had the chance to sit on top of the Monster yet, but I have been there for 3 Yankees games.
-The Aristocrats!
Yankee Stadium no question
If Denard Robinson isn't careful with spooning all that food into his mouth, he's going to end up lookin' like Whoopi Goldberg
I haven't been to many other places. Nationwide is still regarded as one of the top 3 "new" venues in hockey, and was ranked either #1 or #2 in fan experience at a professional sporting event a few years back (ESPN Mag or SI).
St. John Arena. That old barn was loud.
Jacobs Field in the '90's.
Went to whatever-sponsor-it-is-now Fieldhouse in Indy for the Big Ten Tournament last year. It was alright, nothing spectacular.
This has brought up an idea...making a bucket list of sporting venues. Great, there goes my next half hour.
One of my friends is trying to visit all 592 division 1 football and basketball schools and all four major pro arenas
"Who cares? Go Bucks." - Aaron Untch
I LOVE The Shoe and is my favorite stadium but there is something about Augusta National that is just heavenly.
1. Every major championship golf course. (Augusta National, Chicago Golf Club, Shinnecock, Inverness, Scioto, Pebble Beach, Riviera, Winged Foot, Oakland Hills, Oakmont, etc., etc., etc.
2. Olympia (Detroit; demolished)
3. Tiger Stadium (Detroit; demolished)
4. Michigan Stadium
5. Wrigley Field
6. Ohio Stadium
7. Camp Randall
8. Cobo Arena (Detroit; no longer in use by the Pistons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who grew up in New York and lived in LosAngeles and played everywhere in between, called Cobo the coolest and best arena he had ever seen.)
9. Cameron Indoor Arena (Duke)
10. The Yale Bowl
my sister got to play inverness for our high school team. I am still really jealous of that.
Sorry M Man, not a fan of Michigan Stadium. It is really cool to walk in and see the field 75 rows below you, but they made the seats so narrow that i always have to " wedge in". Then there is someone's knees in my back, and MY knees in someone else's. I understand your passion for the place. I was lucky enough to see the UM vs UVA game that Michigan won with a TD as time expired (Tiki and Ronde Barber played for UVA then), best college football game I ever attended!
Seats have been widened since 2009-10. It's why those two humongous flanking concourses didn't do much to our overall capacity. They widened the aisles and widened the seat numbering. That cut the overall numbers in the main bowl, with several thousand new club seats and luxury boxes added.
Good to hear. Enjoy! Haven't been up there since the renovation.
I forgot golf! Pinehurst was cool. Oakmont was unbelievable. Oakland Hills was nice.
“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody
Augusta national isn't just a great venue, it's a green velvet, tan pine straw coated cathedral.
Jacobs Field in the 90's as a poster mentioned above, that place was magic every summer.
I think it would be cool to go to one of the big european soccer stadiums. especially the EPL teams
The two that I have been to; White Hart Lane (Tottenham) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) were fantastic, special places. The Yale Bowl meets Comiskey Park. The old Wembley was a let down by comparison.
I've been to Craven Cottage (Fulham) and you wanna talk tight squeeze, try getting in the turnstile of that place. Great place, rowdy crowd and loved the look of the place
“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody
I haven't been to many stadiums but I love a Saturday game at Camp Randall especially when the Buckeyes are in town. They seem to turn up the hate just a few extra notches.
Ohio State's band SLAUGHTERED Michigan's band. If this were a football game, it would have been Florida State vs. Savannah State. - SB Nation following OSU vs. UM 2012
1. Ohio Stadium
2. Rose Bowl
3. Fenway Park
4. Michigan Stadium
5. Spartan Stadium
*been to all of the above for a game and for perspective, been to games at Ross Aide, Ryan Field, Beaver Stadium, and the Superdome for football games.
For me personally it would be either the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Raymond James Stadium or Nationwide Arena. I haven't attended a game at Ohio Stadium so it would disingenuous for me to act as if it was my favorite. It probably would be though.
Behind the Shoe I'd put Wrigley, Tiger Stadium, Pittsburghs new PNC Park was great for a new style, and Joe Louis (Red Wings) just for the banners and retired numbers.
“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody
I know that there is a lot of history but the Joe is probably the worst arena from a facilities stand point that I have ever been to.
I absolutely agree with that. However, I remember just staring up for like 20 mins in awe seeing Gordie's number, Ted's, all the Cup years, etc. Not too many places have that many and for so far back. Even if you aren't a Red Wings fan you gotta admire it
“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody
Oh I agree completely, I actually really like the red wings so that wasn't it. There is also really great ice at the Joe and that is definitely worth mentioning.
1. The Shoe (duh)
2. Fenway (Any sports fan must see a game here at least once)
3. St John Arena/Nationwide Arena (atmosphere vs comfort)
1. Ohio Stadium
2. The Rose Bowl
3. Michig@n stadium, but only during The Game. I agree with everyone about how it is not as loud as it could be and is not what you would expect the largest stadium to feel like, but The Game just has that special atmosphere that only happens at two places.
WB
1. Ohio Stadium
but as far as postcard/picturesque backdrops go, I've been to PNC Park in Pittsburgh (where the Pirates play), and there's not a bad seat in the stadium
Ignore the fact that its a giant spaceship dropped into 100 year old colonnades-Solders Field is the goods when it comes to watching a football game.
4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off
1. St.Johns
2. The Shoe
3. Great American BP
4. Keenland
5. Mid Ohio
Wrigley Field
Go see an afternoon game in late May or late August/early September, once the ivy is lush and green and the odds of freezing are nil. Take the redline on the 'L,' hang out in WrigleyVille for an hour or two before and after the game. Sit in the bleachers at least once. Eat some hot dogs and drink an Old Style. Belt out "Take me out to the ballgame." Enjoy Heaven.
It is an amazing experience for anyone, and unforgettable if you're a baseball fan.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler