Size matters with college football stadiums, and The Big House is sporting plenty of it.
The crown jewel of Ann Arbor — Michigan Stadium — also known as The Big House, secured the No. 3 spot in ESPN’s recent ranking of the top-25 college football stadiums. The ranking places it just behind LSU’s Tiger Stadium and the Rose Bowl.
Of Michigan’s placement, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote, “Size matters with stadiums, and Michigan remains the largest by capacity at 107,601, edging fellow Big Ten venues Beaver Stadium (Penn State) and Ohio Stadium (Ohio State ). In 2013, Michigan drew 115,109 for its game against Notre Dame , the largest crowd ever to attend a football game on campus. The listed capacity has ended in ‘01’ since 1956 with the ‘extra seat’ belonging to former Michigan coach and athletic director Fritz Crisler.”
The ranking, which was determined by 14 college football writers, considered various factors in assessing the best stadiums. The writers submitted their top-20 stadiums, with points awarded based on their rankings. Michigan Stadium’s ranking reflects its exceptional combination of history, tradition, and fan experience.
The full list can be seen below:
1. Tiger Stadium, LSU Tigers , est. 1924 (Points: 247)
2. Rose Bowl , UCLA Bruins, est. 1922 (Points: 209)
3. Michigan Stadium, Michigan Wolverines , est. 1927 (Points: 182)
4. Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, est. 1930 (Points: 175)
5. Beaver Stadium, Penn State Nittany Lions , est. 1960 (Points: 172)
6. Husky Stadium, Washington Huskies , est. 1920 (Points: 151)
7. Ohio Stadium, Ohio State Buckeyes, est. 1922 (Points: 149)
8. Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin Badgers , est. 1917 (Points: 133)
9. Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama Crimson Tide , est. 1917 (Points: 115)
10. Neyland Stadium, Tennessee Volunteers , est. 1921 (Points: 112)
11. Memorial Stadium, Clemson Tigers , est. 1942 (Points: 105)
12. Michie Stadium, Army Black Knights, est. 1924 (Points: 94)
13. Kyle Field, Texas A&M Aggies , est. 1927 (Points: 91)
14. Autzen Stadium, Oregon Ducks , est. 1967 (Points: 90)
15. Lane Stadium, Virginia Tech Hokies , est. 1965 (Points: 77)
16. Memorial Stadium, Nebraska Cornhuskers , est. 1923 (Points: 73)
17. Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn Tigers, est. 1939 (Points: 69)
18. Sanford Stadium, Georgia Bulldogs , est. 1929 (Points: 66)
19. Doak S. Campbell Stadium, Florida State Seminoles , est. 1950 (Points: 64)
20. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Florida Gators, est. 1930 (Points: 61)
21. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Ole Miss Rebels , est. 1915 (Points: 51)
22. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, USC Trojans, est. 1923 (Points: 44)
23. Kidd Brewer Stadium, Appalachian State Mountaineers, est. 1962 (Points: 42)
24. Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma Sooners , est. 1923 (Points: 40)
25. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Texas Longhorns , est. 1924 (Points: 38)
The game day experience at Michigan Stadium is legendary. The Wolverines’ entrance onto the field, highlighted by touching the iconic “Go Blue” banner, is one of the most cherished traditions in college football. This entrance, combined with the roar of more than 100,000 passionate fans, creates an electric atmosphere that is unmatched.
Michigan Stadium’s significance, however, goes far beyond its size. In 2010, it underwent a $227 million renovation that added club suites and private suites. This renovation also increased the noise level within the stadium, creating an even more intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. The combination of these enhancements, coupled with a state-of-the-art LED lighting system installation in 2023, has solidified it as one of the premier venues in college sports.
For Michigan fans, the ranking is a testament to the lasting impact of their home field. Known for its vast capacity, rich history, and electric atmosphere, “The Big House” continues to be a must-visit destination for college football enthusiasts.