Discover the Top 10 Biggest Stadiums in Alabama
Alabama is without a professional NFL team, but several college football teams have massive facilities in the state. Join us as we discover the 10 largest stadiums in Alabama.
10. JSU Stadium – Capacity: 24,000
The JSU Stadium is a multi-purpose venue located in Jacksonville, Alabama. Also known as the Burgess-Snow Field, it serves as home to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The university constructed the stadium in 1947 and shared the field with the Jacksonville High School football team until 2004. Jacksonville State renovated the stadium in 2010 to entertain its growing fanbase and install a regulation turf field. Jacksonville is a small town in the Northeastern corner of Alabama with roughly 14,000 residents. Although there is a sparse suburban feel to the town, the Cheaha State Park provides camping accommodations, hiking trails, and fishing hotspots.
9. Cramton Bowl – Capacity: 25,000
Originally constructed as a baseball field in 1922, the Cramton Bowl is the host stadium for NCAA Division I Football bowl games. Each year, the FCS Kickoff game and Camellia Bowl take place at the 25,000-seat arena. It is also a training ground for Major League Baseball spring training and was previously home to the Blue-Gray Football Classic. The Cramton Bowl lies in Montgomery, Alabama, and is owned and operated by the city. Montgomery is the capital city of Alabama and is recognized for its new urban projects and revitalized downtown area. The city rests along the Alabama River and is also the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous Montgomery bus boycott.
8. Hancock Whitney Stadium – Capacity: 25,450
Hancock Whitney Stadium, built in 2020, is the second most recently developed facility on our list. The prominent football field in Mobile, Alabama, serves as the home to the University of South Alabama Jaguars. With 11 suites and 42 Loge boxes, it is one of the most luxurious venues in Alabama. Since it has a regulation turf field, Hancock Whitney Stadium hosts the annual 68 Ventures Bowl and the Senior Bowl all-star game. Mobile rests along the waterfront of the Gulf of Mexico and is just 40 miles from the Mississippi border. It’s a famous hotspot for its proximity to the sandy-white beaches on Dauphin Island. Mobile also participates in the annual Mardi Gras celebration and is rich in Southern cultural history.
7. ASU Stadium – Capacity: 26,500
Alabama State University opened its new facility in 2012 after relocating from the Cramton Bowl. The ASU Stadium is located on the university’s campus in Montgomery and serves as the home field for the Hornets football team. Although the venue’s current capacity is 26,500, the venue is designed to expand soon and accommodate roughly 55,000 fans. Montgomery is one of the most historic cities of the Civil Rights Movement, as it was the site of several of the movement’s important events. Despite the city’s questionable past, Montgomery is the perfect blend of Southern charm and modern infrastructure. With delicious comfort food and a bustling bar scene, the state capital is a phenomenal place to visit.
6. Veterans Memorial Stadium – Capacity: 30,740
Located in Troy, Alabama, Veterans Memorial Stadium is one of the oldest arenas in the state. Troy University opened the venue in 1950 and has since renovated and expanded it on six different occasions. It primarily functions as the home field for the Troy Trojans and the Charles Henderson High School football team. The stadium honors the college students and residents who served during World War II. Troy is a typical college town, with a small population of roughly 18,000 residents. The city rests in the Southeast corner of the state and is less than a two-hour drive from the Georgia border.
5. Ladd-Peebles Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
Without any current tenants at the stadium, the facility acts as a concert venue and multi-purpose arena. In 2023, the Murphy High School football team will play their home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The arena rests in Mobile, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It was constructed in 1948, serving as an alternate site for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Ladd-Peebles Stadium hosted the Senior Bowl for almost 70 years and became known as a concert hotspot in Alabama. In 1955, a previously unknown Elvis Pressley performed nightly shows at the famed arena. Word quickly spread of the venue’s popularity and the rest is history.
4. Protective Stadium – Capacity: 47,100
Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham is the most updated facility in Alabama. Private owners opened the arena’s doors in 2021 after spending over 175 million dollars to construct the modern marvel. Several tenants occupy the glamorous football field, namely the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers. Two USFL teams play at Protective Stadium, along with the Legion FC USLC soccer team. 50,000 fans set the stadium’s attendance record during a Garth Brooks concert in 2022. Downtown Birmingham is wedged between the Appalachian foothills and Red Mountain, making it a vastly unique city. With the rapid growth of the technology and banking industries, Birmingham is becoming a true economic hub.
3. Legion Field – Capacity: 71,594
Known as the Old Gray Lady, Legion Field is forever enshrined in college football history. Owned and operated by the city since 1927, it primarily served as an alternate venue for the Alabama Crimson Tide until the late 1990s. It formerly hosted the SEC Championship Game and the Iron Bowl, before a slew of XFL and CFL teams made the historic venue their home. While there aren’t any current tenants, the annual Magic City Classic takes place on the distinguished Legion Field. The stadium rests in Birmingham within proximity to the recently developed downtown area. Due to its max capacity of roughly 71,000 fans, Legion Field also functions as a concert venue and amphitheater.
2. Jordan-Hare Stadium – Capacity: 88,043
Auburn University first opened the massive arena in 1939, later expanding the facility to accommodate over 88,000 fans. It’s located on the Auburn campus near Alabama’s eastern border with Georgia. Despite Auburn High School’s short stint at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the momentous venue is solely occupied by the Auburn Tigers football team. Before the 2007 season, Jordan-Hare Stadium received a massive 2.9 million dollar technological upgrade. The multi-purpose facility hosts concerts and other large events but prohibits the sale of alcohol. Auburn is the largest city in eastern Alabama and is known for its beautiful sunsets and extensive outdoor activities.
1. Bryant-Denny Stadium – Capacity: 100,077
Located on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Bryant-Denny Stadium is the largest and most illustrious venue on our list. It’s exclusively occupied by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and is one of few college stadiums with a natural grass field. The university opened the arena in 1929 and expanded it on eight separate occasions. Due to the Crimson Tide’s success over the years, Bryant-Denny Stadium is regarded as the pinnacle of college football fields. Tuscaloosa County lies in western Alabama and has a population of 105,000 residents. The area surrounding the stadium is jam-packed with local bars and die-hard Crimson Tide supporters. Tuscaloosa is a must-visit destination for any college football fan.
Stadium Name | Capacity |
---|---|
Bryant-Denny Stadium | 100,077 |
Jordan-Hare Stadium | 88,043 |
Legion Field | 71,594 |
Protective Stadium | 47,100 |
Ladd-Peebles Stadium | 40,000 |
Veterans Memorial Stadium | 30,740 |
ASU Stadium | 26,500 |
Hancock Whitney Stadium | 25,450 |
Cramton Bowl | 25,000 |
JSU Stadium | 24,000 |