The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) playoffs are now underway, with the National Championship game taking place on January 6, 2025, in Frisco, Texas.
We are pleased to release our ratings for the Top 25 stadiums at FCS stadiums. These rankings utilized our FANFARE scoring system, which considers all the factors that encompass the gameday atmosphere: food, atmosphere, neighborhood, fan support, accessibility, return on investment, and extras (anything unique to that stadium.) We have several facilities where stadiums had identical scores. These ties were broken by a vote of our reviewers, breaking the deadlocks.
We don’t expect you to agree with some of these rankings. We encourage you to have lively discussions with your fellow football fans. Feel free to share your thoughts on our social medias.
Jason Karp - Our top-rated stadium features spectacular natural surroundings, a lively fanbase, close up views of the action and an always competitive team year after year.
Lloyd Brown - Greene Stadium takes our second spot, as its natural setting at the base of a mountain provides a stunning backdrop to the games. The mountain also tends to trap the noise generated by the fans, resulting in making communications for the visiting teams very difficult.
Lloyd Brown - One of the most recent additions to the FCS level of football is Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. The on-campus Harlan Hunter Stadium features a sleek modern design and one of the largest videoboards in the FCS. The pregame programs and the Lion’s Pride activities create a lot of energy, resulting in a high score for fan support.
Aaron Terry - The pageantry of a football game at a service academy is always very special. This is very true at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. The entire cadet corps marches from the campus to the off-campus Johnson-Haygood Stadium prior to each contest. Recent renovations to the stadium have increased the seating capacity, and the fieldhouse at one end of the stadium features a façade that mimics the architecture found throughout the Citadel campus.
Will Halpern - The home of the Phoenix is rising in our ratings based on the great sight lines, terrific North Carolina BBQ being served at its concession stands, and the sounds coming from the Fire of the Carolinas Band.
Gregory Koch - Like many other structures in Philadelphia, Penn Stadium has withstood the test of time. It is one of the oldest college football stadiums still in use in the United States. It has frequently served as the home of the iconic Army-Navy football game, the home of the Penn Quakers every year, and has frequently been the host for some Philadelphia Eagles games when there has been a scheduling conflict.
Will Halpern - Our top HCBU stadium is Truist Stadium in Greensboro, NC. It features a dedicated fanbase, a terrific band, and a team that is always in the thick of the MEAC conference championship race.
Lloyd Brown - All aboard for a fun gameday experience at the home of the Mocs. The party gets underway at the Pavilion across the street from Finley Stadium, with the Marching Mocs, the cheer squads performing at the tailgating event and the Mocs football team doing their pregame walk through the crowd on their way to the stadium. Once inside the stadium, there are food trucks serving a wide variety of foods. After the games end, Finley Stadium is just a short distance from the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium … two of the city’s top tourist attractions.
Lloyd Brown - The Jackrabbits have Dykhouse Stadium hopping well before the opening kickoff. SDSU fans have a great reputation for their tailgating acumen, which always includes a stop at the campus dairy store for its famous ice cream. Low ticket prices, one of the largest videoboards in an FCS venue, wonderful sightlines and back-to-back FCS national championships all add up to some great Saturdays in Brookings.
Lloyd Brown - The Bobcat Nation has impressed us with their enthusiasm throughout the season. They are on their feet early, as the Stampede is one of the best team entry celebrations we’ve ever witnessed.
Joseph Oakes - Oh, what a wonderful web they weave! A lovely, wooded setting, great concession items, a fun zone for the kids, and capacity crowds add up to a number eleven ranking for this FCS stadium.
Jon Hart - The home of the Lions features great views of the Manhattan River, some of the cheapest ticket prices for a sports event in the Big Apple, and the panache of an Ivy League school earns this stadium a good grade.
Lloyd Brown - As our top-rated indoor facility, the Fargodome also has the best tailgating scene outside of any FCS venue. Once inside, the noise created by the Bison faithful can be deafening. Most important, the Fargodome provides a refuge from the harsh winter weather that typically moves into the area around the end of the season.
Lloyd Brown - Davidson College’s new stadium makes its debut on our top 25 stadiums list. It replaces the 100-year-old Richardson Stadium, which will now be used for track and field events. The new venue offers a wide variety of concession items, a close-to-the-field seating experience, and an extensive electronics package that was not possible in its former home.
Lloyd Brown - A unique playing surface (it’s purple and silver) creates an immediate strong impression for fans watching a Bears’ home game. The low-ticket prices and on-campus location also add to the gameday experience.
Connor Comeau - Mother Nature is one of the first things you will notice at a Weber State football game. Stewart Stadium is located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in Ogden Utah. The Wildcats typically schedule late afternoon games, which allows fans to experience a spectacular view of the sunsets the area enjoys. The stadium also features an affordable family experience for both locals and visiting fans.
Richard Smith - The Hen’s house is a worthy venue for the state’s lone major college. It is a simple facility that enjoys a team that always seems to be in the championship mix, which results in capacity crowds. The stadium also provides easy access via the interstate highway system in the area.
Matthew Collins - Our second Ivy League venue on this list, Powers Field, is a modern facility at a school known for its old, historic buildings. Tiger fans enjoy the many amenities made possible by the recent building of the stadium. It is very close to the central campus, which makes it very easy for the campus community to get to the games without needing a car. The Tiger statues just outside of the stadium make a great backdrop for selfies.
Aaron Terry - Our second indoor stadium on this list, the Dakota Dome, provides a quality viewing experience. You don’t need to worry about the elements, your seats are very close to the action on the field and the crowds are loud and enthusiastic. You also get to experience one of the toughest intrastate rivalry games in the country when the Coyotes welcome the SDSU Jackrabbits at the Dakota Dome every two years.
Gregory Koch - While many people think of Georgetown University as a basketball school, it also has a football program. Cooper Field is one of the smallest venues on this list with a capacity of 3,750. However, it is located on the Georgetown campus, making it very convenient for the students to attend. It also is the only football program within the District of Columbia, which results in several high-level government representatives attending each contest.
Aaron Terry - Crocker Field is located on the lovely Presbyterian College campus in Clinton, SC. It is a relatively small stadium compared to most of the other venues on this list. This results in an intimate experience for fans attending a Blue Hose game. The statue of the Scotsman in front of the stadium also serves as a great backdrop for a selfie.
Paul Donaldson - “The Hole” is the second HBCU stadium on our list. It offers low ticket prices, some uniquely Cajun concessions offerings and a great P.A. announcer. The Cowboys are known for their up-tempo offense, which tends to wear out the opposition late in the games.
David welch - Paladin Stadium is located on the lovely Furman University campus, which is well worth a visit, even when there is no game. Tailgating is very popular here, as the Furman campus offers plenty of shade, which is important in the hot days at the beginning of the season. The stadium is also known for its well-manicured setting, making it a very pleasing site for a game. The Paladin mascot is a very popular subject for fan photos, as he is a knight who roams the sidelines astride a horse.
Lloyd Brown - The Walkup Skydome is yet another indoor facility on our list of top FCS stadiums. Its domed roof is needed for the frequent heavy snowfalls in the mountainous area of Flagstaff, Arizona. The Lumberjacks know how to take advantage of the dome, as it amplifies the crowd noise, making it difficult for visiting teams to communicate on snap counts. The team lives up to its name, as the lumberjack mascot uses a chainsaw to cut up wood after each Northern Arizona score.
Aaron Terry - Our only representative from the New England region is the University of New Hampshire’s Wildcat Stadium. It is one of the oldest venues on this list, as it was built in 1936, and has gone through many renovations since. It is known for its lovely setting, especially during the fall leaf season.
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