Top 5 Toughest NFL Stadiums to Play in

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When thinking of tough stadiums, one far too often just thinks of the best team with the most talent. That is the toughest team or best team.

Toughest Stadiums are the crowd, elements and location that add to the opposing teams challenge in winning a game on the road.

Here are the top five toughest stadiums for opposing teams and players to play in.

Honourable Mentions:

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Lambeau Field: Green Bay Packers—freezing temperatures and snow make it tough for anyone to play in

 

Heinz Field: Pittsburgh Steelers—the grass makes it hard to play on as well the weather and fans are intimidating

 

Georgia Dome: Atlanta Falcons—a dome which keeps the noise in and has reached 117 dB of noise

 

Lincoln Financial Field: Philadelphia Eagles—nasty weather and just as nasty fans that let you hear it

 

Lucas Oil Stadium: Indianapolis Colts—the RCA Dome was up there but a new stadium of only three years is too young

5. Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City Chiefs

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Built In: 1972

Stadium Capacity: 81,425

Home Record: 178-128-1 .580 (including playoffs)

Decibel Rating: 106 dB average (116 dB highest ever recorded)

Temperature: September to January 47.4F average

Rain: 12.25 inches

Snow: 20.1 inches

Elevation: 889 feet above sea level

Fun Fact: SI.com voted Arrowhead the loudest stadium in 2005

4. Invesco at Mile High: Denver Broncos

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Built In: 2001

Stadium Capacity: 76,125

Home Record: 53-30 .639 (including playoffs)

Decibel Rating: 128.74 dB high

Temperature: September to January 42.9F average

Rain: 15.8 inches

Snow: 61 inches

Elevation: 5280 feet above sea level

Fun Facts: A home game tradition which started at the original Mile High Stadium is the "Incomplete Chant." When the opposing team throws an incomplete pass, the stadium announcer will say "Pass thrown by (opposing quarterback) intended for (opposing intended receiver) is..." at which time the fans complete the chant by saying "in-com-plete!"

Sold out every game since 1970.

3. Metrodome: Minnesota Vikings

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Built In: 1982

Stadium Capacity: 64,111

Home Record: 157-86 .646 (including playoffs)

False Starts: 97 (since 2005—second in the NFL)

Temperature: Controlled environment

Rain: Controlled environment

Snow: Controlled environment

Elevation: 849 feet above sea level

Fun Facts: Former Bears coach Mike Ditka once called it a "big livestock hall" and the Vikings responded by putting huge fake cows and other animals on the field.

He also called it the "Rollerdome" and the Vikings had all their cheerleaders wear in-line skates.

2. Soldier Field: Chicago Bears

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Built In: 1924/2003 reopened after renovations

Stadium Capacity: 61,500

Home Record: 46-23 .667 (including playoffs)

False Starts: 74 (since 2005 – fourth in the NFL)

Temperature: September to January 43.8F average

Rain: 36.3 inches

Snow: 38 inches

Elevation: 600 feet above sea level

Fun Fact: Tailgating before the game is called the Greatest Party on the Lake where the fans pour into the stadium after for the game.

1. Qwest Field: Seattle Seahawks

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Built In: 2002

Stadium Capacity: 67,000

Home Record: 53-25 .680 (including playoffs)

False Starts: 107 (since 2005—leads the NFL)

Decibel Rating: 112 dB average (137 dB 2005 playoffs—130 dB is a Boeing 747)

Temperature: September to January 48.7F average

Rain: 22 inches

Snow: 8.1 inches

Elevation: 20 feet above sea level

Fun Facts: Fans are called the 12th Man for their role in home games. A record 11 false start penalties were called in one game by the New York Giants in 2005. Marshawn Lynch’s beast mode against New Orleans caused an earth tremor.

Conclusion

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As stated before toughest stadiums do not represent the talent of the team. It is supposed to be a challenge to face the other team but when a player/team has to compete against the crowd, elements and elevation it becomes an even greater challenge to try and overcome.