Environment is a phrase routinely heard when discussing faculty soccer, notably when evaluating the sport to its skilled counterpart, the NFL. The stadiums through which the video games are performed present a lot of that ambiance.
Whereas many NFL stadiums, notably the newer ones, feel and look the identical each Sunday, faculty soccer stadiums have distinctive personalities. Some are gigantic, whereas others are a bit extra intimate. All are particular to those that name them residence, however some are higher than others.
With the Large Ten including 4 new faculties and stadiums, it felt like a superb time to rank the buildings the 18 groups within the league name residence. I’ve ranked them primarily based on their ambiance — the indefinable vibe you get from each place. Whether or not it is awe-inspiring dimension, the followers who fill them, or the tailgate scene, it is almost inconceivable to objectively outline the most effective of the most effective.
Nicely, except you are me, it’s. I’ve performed it, and I am positive you’ll all agree that my rankings are immaculate.
1. Penn State – Beaver Stadium
The sheer dimension of Beaver Stadium (106,572) is spectacular sufficient, however the sound its occupants produce when the place is packed is eardrum-shattering, notably if it is a white-out recreation at evening. One other issue that typically goes unconsidered however makes a huge impact is that, for probably the most half, the stadium is in the course of nowhere. That makes it the one present on the town in numerous methods, and that ensures the individuals who present up are excited to be there.
2. Washington – Husky Stadium
I can already see the indignant messages from Large Ten followers outraged that I would embrace this newcomer so extremely, however belief me. When you go to the place, you will get it. Husky Stadium’s total capability of 70,138 ranks ninth within the league, however few buildings are as loud. The stadium’s design retains the sound from escaping, and the view of the bay and the sailgate scene are unmatched anyplace else within the league. It is a welcome addition to the league.
3. Michigan – Michigan Stadium
The primary time I noticed Michigan Stadium from the skin, I used to be unimpressed. For a spot referred to as “The Large Home,” it did not look too large. It wasn’t till coming into that the scale of the place slapped me within the face. Over 107,000 individuals fill the stands on Saturdays within the fall, and there’s no escaping them. Opponents are fully surrounded, and the closest seats are virtually on the sidelines with the gamers.
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4. Oregon – Autzen Stadium
Like fellow newcomer Husky Stadium, Autzen is a extra intimate venue in comparison with conventional Large Ten stadiums. With a capability of 54,000, it is one of many smallest stadiums within the league, nevertheless it’s not the scale of the canine within the struggle; it is the scale of the struggle within the canine — or, on this case, the duck. You are surrounded, and the 54,000 individuals inside are as loud as anyone within the nation, they usually’re very near the sector.
5. Ohio State – Ohio Stadium
Buckeyes followers can be livid about this, however whereas Ohio Stadium is big (capability of 102,780), and Buckeyes followers are a few of the most passionate (a pleasant option to name any individual insane) within the nation, it is at all times bothered me how far-off the followers are from the sector. There’s an excessive amount of area on the sidelines. That could be greatest for the protection of visiting groups, nevertheless it’s not perfect for neutrals like myself.
6. Iowa – Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium will get loads of deserved love for “The Wave” custom of waving on the children within the Stead Household Kids’s Hospital, nevertheless it’s additionally an ideal place to observe a soccer recreation. Even for a fan of a visiting crew, I assure you that you will have a superb time in Iowa Metropolis. Simply do not anticipate many factors to be scored through the recreation.
7. Wisconsin – Camp Randall Stadium
There’s nothing fairly like seeing the look within the eyes of any individual visiting the press field at Camp Randall for the primary time in the beginning of the fourth quarter when the stadium begins to shake to the tune of Home of Ache’s “Soar Round.” It may be a bit scary however in a enjoyable manner. That mentioned, the ambiance exterior the stadium is usually extra fulfilling than the within.
8. Nebraska – Memorial Stadium
There in all probability is not a nicer fan base within the Large Ten than Nebraska’s. Cornhuskers followers will make a customer really feel at residence, and although they need your crew to lose, they need you to get pleasure from your go to and luxuriate in a runza. If the soccer crew had higher success lately, Memorial Stadium could be nearer to the highest 5, if not in it. Perhaps it’s going to get again there quickly?
9. USC – Los Angeles Coliseum
There are two completely different LA Coliseums. There’s the stadium that’s rocking and filled with celebrities when the Trojans are good, and it is the cool place to be seen. Then there’s the model with too many empty seats when the Trojans aren’t at their greatest. Nonetheless, even when full, I can not rank it larger than a lot of the stadiums above it as a result of there’s an excessive amount of area between the followers and the sector.
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10. Minnesota – Huntington Financial institution Stadium
It is the second-smallest stadium within the league, solely larger than Northwestern’s outdated and soon-to-be-constructed new stadium, nevertheless it’s additionally the most recent stadium within the league. I perceive why some followers do not prefer it a lot, however I discover the place charming and cozy. After all, I have never been there when it is extraordinarily chilly, and the way in which the stadium is constructed, the wind chill might be a significant issue at occasions.
11. Michigan State – Spartan Stadium
We have now reached the portion of the rankings the place the standard of this system has a big influence on the stadium ambiance. When Michigan State is at its greatest, Spartan Stadium will be as loud as any stadium within the league. However when the Spartans are struggling, it may be uninspiring.
12. Illinois – Memorial Stadium
Renovations lately have made Memorial Stadium a extra nice place, and the tailgate scene exterior is best than you suppose. The issue is the crew cannot put collectively profitable seasons persistently, which makes it troublesome to generate an unbelievable gameday setting.
13. UCLA – The Rose Bowl
I really feel the necessity to level on the market’s a distinction between The Rose Bowl on New 12 months’s Day when it is the host of The Rose Bowl, and The Rose Bowl on a Saturday in September when UCLA is internet hosting any individual from the Mountain West. Sure, it is a historic stadium in a lovely setting, however it could really feel like a mausoleum through the common season when the Bruins are struggling. There are numerous issues to do in Los Angeles, and that you must be good to persuade followers to move up on different issues to come back to your video games.
14. Rutgers – SHI Stadium
I’ve by no means been to a Rutgers recreation, however I keep in mind how unbelievable the ambiance felt on tv almost twenty years in the past when the Knights started profitable beneath Greg Schiano. Given the struggles since becoming a member of the Large Ten, there’s been an comprehensible apathy from followers lately, so I can not rank it any larger than this, however the potential is there.
15. Purdue – Ross-Ade Stadium
It isn’t certainly one of my favourite locations to observe a soccer recreation, sorry! The U-shaped design of the seats and decrease profile do not do a lot to create a raucous ambiance, and like most locations, the standard of the crew enjoying there issues, too. It is nearly the antithesis of Mackey Area, the place the basketball crew performs.
16. Maryland – SECU Stadium
One other Large Ten stadium I’ve but to go to, so I am pressured to rank it primarily based on the way it comes throughout on tv and from what those that have been there inform me. It is smaller than Ross-Ade, and like Ross-Ade, it isn’t in-built a manner that helps with the acoustics. Even when Maryland is profitable the place feels quiet on tv.
17. Indiana – Memorial Stadium
There are a number of things that work in opposition to Indiana’s Memorial Stadium. Visually, it isn’t a lot to have a look at, although current renovations have been an enchancment. It is small and barely crammed with rabid followers. Usually, when the stands are packed, it is because of guests making the journey. Lastly — whereas they’ve had some good seasons currently — by and enormous, Indiana’s soccer crew hasn’t produced the sort of on-field success that attracts followers to the video games.
18. Northwestern – A follow discipline
The Wildcats will play on a follow discipline in 2024. It is on the shore of Lake Michigan, in order that’s cool. However once more, it is a follow discipline. There is no manner I can rank it larger than final, although we’ll see how issues change when the Wildcats open their new stadium down the street.