Photo by WikiMedia Commons, CC by 2.0
In the NFL, bigger is often thought to be better — especially when it comes to stadiums that resemble modern-day coliseums, built to host tens of thousands of roaring fans.
But size isn’t everything. Some of the league’s smaller venues still deliver top-tier atmospheres, historic moments, and diehard crowds that punch well above their weight.
Here, we take a closer look at the six smallest stadiums in the NFL by seating capacity currently.
6. Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati Bengals – 65,515
Paycor Stadium is one of the smallest stadiums in the NFL with a seating capacity just above the 65,500-mark. But, it’s one of the loudest arenas to travel to. Since Joe Burrow became a Bengals player, the Paycor Stadium atmosphere has been electric.
You won’t find many NFL cities with a setup like Cincinnati’s. The Bengals’ home sits on the Ohio River, just a short walk from the Reds’ stadium, with a lively strip of bars, restaurants, museums, and a fresh new music venue bridging the two.
The Bengals have made significant upgrades to enhance the game-day atmosphere at Paycor Stadium, introducing larger videoboards, a state-of-the-art sound system, more fireworks, unique in-stadium entertainment, and the addition of a Bengals Ring of Honor.
5. Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Dolphins – 65,236
Opening in 1987 and the hosts of six Super Bowls, including the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2020 success, it’s fair to say that the Hard Rock Stadium is one of most well known in the NFL.
The Miami Dolphins and college football’s Miami Hurricanes call the stadium home and the baseball team the Florida Marlins did too from 1993 until 2011.
The Florida heat can be a real issue for teams, so much so that in September all home games start on or after 4pm.
Recently, the venue has hosted multiple matches in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, including the final between Argentina and Colombia.
4. Ford Field, Detroit Lions – 65,000
Detroit Lions fans haven’t had much to shout about in recent years but their downtown Ford Field is a source of pride.
Since construction was finished in 2002, the stadium has hosted the Super Bowl in 2005 and a number of group stage games in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Despite being a domed stadium, its huge skylights and glass windows provide plenty of natural light onto the field of play.
For the Lions, the problem tends to be what they illuminate on the pitch.
3. Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas Raiders – 65,000
One of the newest stadiums in the NFL, the Allegiant Stadium is home to the Las Vegas Raiders, as well as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas college football team.
Opened in 2020, the stadium hosted the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final and is due to host the Super Bowl in 2024.
The stadium is a 10-level domed stadium with a 275-foot video screen and retractable windows facing the Las Vegas Strip.
After moving to Las Vegas, the Raiders now have a state of the art stadium to call their own in the city.
2. State Farm Stadium, Arizona Cardinals – 63,400
Built in 2006, the State Farm Stadium almost brought about early success for the Arizona Cardinals, who won the NFC just two years later.
The stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2008 and 2015 and is due to do so again in 2023. The NCAA Final Four was also hosted in 2017 and 2024.
The venue is just one of five in the NFL with a retractable roof.
1. Soldier Field, Chicago Bears – 61,500
The smallest stadium by capacity in the NFL is Soldier Field in Chicago, which is also the oldest.
Originally built in 1924 and most recently extensively renovated between 2002 and 2003, the stadium also hosts the Chicago Fire of the MLS and was a host stadium for the 1994 World Cup.
The Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl win also makes them the only team in this list to have won the NFL’s greatest prize while in their current stadium.
