Top 25 Biggest College Football Stadiums in the USA (2025): The history of college football stadiums is a journey from modest beginnings to modern-day giants. The first official college football game in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton was witnessed by barely 100 spectators. Today, the sport has transformed into a cultural phenomenon where the largest college football stadiums regularly welcome crowds of more than 100,000 fans.
One of the most famous examples of extraordinary growth came on September 10, 2016, when Tennessee and Virginia Tech faced off at Bristol Motor Speedway. This neutral-site showdown set an NCAA all-time record with 156,990 fans, making it one of the biggest moments in college football history.
Thanks to multimillion-dollar renovations and expansions, massive crowds are now the norm. As of the 2025–26 season, eight programs boast home fields that exceed a six-figure capacity, ranking them among the biggest college football stadiums in the world.
The 25 largest college football stadiums in the United States:
RANK | SCHOOL | STADIUM | CAPACITY |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Michigan | Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Mich.) | 107601 |
2 | Penn State | Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pa.) | 106572 |
3 | Ohio State | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio) | 102780 |
4 | Texas A&M | Kyle Field (College Station, Texas) | 102733 |
5 | LSU | Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, La.) | 102321 |
6 | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, Tenn.) | 101915 |
7 | Alabama | Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) | 101821 |
8 | Texas | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas) | 100119 |
9 | Georgia | Sanford Stadium (Athens, Ga.) | 93033 |
10 | UCLA | Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.) | 91136 |
11 | Florida | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Gainesville, Fla.) | 88548 |
12 | Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn, Ala.) | 88043 |
13 | Nebraska | Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.) | 85458 |
14 | Oklahoma | Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, Okla.) | 83489 |
15 | Clemson | Clemson Memorial Stadium (Clemson, S.C.) | 81500 |
16 | Notre Dame | Notre Dame Stadium (South Bend, Ind.) | 80795 |
17 | Florida State | Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, Fla.) | 79560 |
18 | South Carolina | Williams-Brice Stadium (Columbia, S.C.) | 77559 |
19 | Southern Cal | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles) | 77500 |
20 | Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Fayetteville, Ark.) | 76212 |
21 | Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, Wisc.) | 75822 |
22 | Michigan State | Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, Mich.) | 74866 |
23 | Washington | Husky Stadium (Seattle, Wash.) | 70138 |
24 | Iowa | Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa) | 69250 |
25 | South Florida | Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.) | 69, 218 |
Before the historic Battle at Bristol, Michigan Stadium — also known as “The Big House” — held the modern attendance record. In 2013, Michigan hosted Notre Dame in front of 115,109 fans, creating an atmosphere that defined why it remains the largest stadium in college football.
The Rose Bowl is another legendary venue. While UCLA home games are capped at around 91,136 seats, the stadium’s record crowd was set during the 1973 Rose Bowl Game. A massive 106,869 spectators watched USC defeat Ohio State 42–17, cementing the Rose Bowl as one of the most iconic college football stadiums ever built.
From historic rivalries to modern mega-events, these colossal venues highlight how the largest college football stadiums have become more than just sports arenas — they are cultural landmarks that shape the identity of college football across the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the biggest college football stadium?
A1. The biggest college football stadium is Michigan Stadium, also known as The Big House, with a seating capacity of over 107,000 fans.
Q2. Which college football game had the largest attendance ever?
A2. The Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2016 set the NCAA record with 156,990 spectators.
Q3. How many college football stadiums hold over 100,000 fans?
A3. As of the 2025 season, there are eight college football stadiums in the United States that can hold more than 100,000 fans each.
Q4. What is the Rose Bowl’s all-time attendance record?
A4. The Rose Bowl’s record crowd was 106,869, set in the 1973 Rose Bowl Game when USC defeated Ohio State 42–17.