The Top 5 Largest Stadiums in Maryland
As the birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, Maryland is a heavyweight when it comes to all-American sports like football and baseball. Despite being the fourth-smallest state, Maryland‘s national, local, and college sports scenes pack an exciting punch. From pro and college football, to major and minor league baseball, horse racing, motocross, lacrosse, and more, this mid-Atlantic state is a destination for sports enthusiasts.
Maryland boasts two National Football League (NFL) teams, one Major League Baseball (MLB) team, six minor league baseball teams, and nine NCAA Division I college football teams. No matter what part of the Old Line State you traveled to, you couldn’t avoid running into one of the state’s many impressive stadiums no matter how hard you tried. Some of Maryland’s stadiums are considered the best in the nation, so it’s not likely anyone would try to miss out on watching a game at one of its state-of-the-art facilities.
With such an abundance of stadiums to choose from, it’s difficult to narrow down which ones to visit first. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you! We collected a list of the top five largest stadiums in Maryland based on capacity. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Maryland’s five biggest stadiums!
Check out the biggest stadiums in the world here!
#5 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — 34,000 Seats
Along with being the home stadium for the Navy Midshipmen college football and lacrosse teams, this stadium serves a unique status as a memorial to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is located about a mile east of the U.S. Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, Maryland.
This stadium was built in 1959 for $3 million. It underwent a $56 million renovation beginning in 2002. Some of the upgrades included an expanded press box, the addition of club and private suites, and updated restrooms and concession areas. FieldTurf replaced the original grass turf prior to the start of the 2005 season. In 2016, the stadium added a $2.5 million videoboard in the south end zone, mirroring its counterpart in the north end zone.
The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium plays an important role in honoring current and former U.S. service members by hosting the annual Military Bowl. This event is “the National Capital Region’s college football postseason bowl game featuring a matchup between teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference,” according to the Military Bowl Foundation. It is played in December at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and broadcast on ESPN.
On October 21, 2023, the stadium hit its record attendance at 38,803 when the Navy lost to the Air Force 17-6. With a seating capacity of 34,000, the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is Maryland’s fifth-largest stadium.
#4 Oriole Park at Camden Yards — 45,971 Seats
Home to Major League Baseball team the Baltimore Orioles since 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is often referred to as simply “The Yard.” This one-time railroad center is only two blocks from the birthplace of America’s most celebrated baseball hero, “Babe” Ruth. Baseball fans consider The Yard to be one of the best stadiums in the big leagues.
Camden Yards’ smooth union of a classic vibe and modern comfort make it a fan favorite. Walking into the stadium gives fans the feeling of being in a baseball time capsule despite its modern amenities like skyboxes. Visitors to the stadium are met with a red-brick exterior and views of the old Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse at Camden Yards behind the right field wall once inside. The success of the Yard’s “retro-classic” architecture inspired many stadiums to incorporate the its timeless charm into their own construction.
Although Camden Yards originally seated 48,041 people, recent expansions left the stadium with 45,971 seats. It is Maryland’s fourth biggest stadium.
#3 SECU Stadium — 51,500 Seats
Located on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park, SECU Stadium is home to Maryland Terrapins football and lacrosse teams. SECU stadium opened in 1950 with a capacity of 34,680. It cost $1 million to build and consisted of a horseshoe-shaped bowl.
Views from the upper deck of Maryland Stadium include the Washington Monument, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Washington National Cathedral, and the U.S. Capitol.
Since the 1990s, SECU’s various improvement projects have increased the stadium’s capacity to 51,802 seats. In a game between the Terrapins and Penn State in November 1975, SECU Stadium hit record attendance when 58,973 people, utilizing temporary seating, attended the game. SECU Stadium is Maryland’s third-biggest stadium.
#2 FedEx Field — 62,000 Seats
Once the largest stadium in the NFL, FedEx Field was built in 1997 with a seating capacity of 80,116. A few years later, the Washington Commanders pushed that number to more than 91,000. Since becoming the largest stadium in the NFL, FedEx Field has continued to reduce its capacity. In 2022, seating capacity fell to 62,000-63,000.
FedEx Field is located in Landover, just five miles east of Washington, D.C. It is home to the NFL Washington Commanders. The team has one of the few marching bands in the NFL. With its current seating capacity of 62,000, it is Maryland’s second-largest stadium.
#1 M&T Bank Stadium — 71,008 Seats
M&T Bank Stadium is the home venue for the Baltimore Ravens National Football League. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Maryland’s fourth-largest stadium, is only half a mile away. At 1.6 million square feet, however, “The Bank” is nearly double the size of Oriole Park.
While the venue is primarily used by the Baltimore Ravens, it serves a variety of functions. College and high school football teams have utilized the stadium. Soccer clubs, as well as lacrosse, Maryland’s official team sport, have played matches at The Bank. Metallica, Beyonce, and Billy Joel are just a few of the musicians to perform at M&T Bank Stadium.
Completed in 1998 at an estimated cost of $220 million, the Baltimore Ravens unveiled a plan in December 2023 for a $430 million upgrade project for their stadium. The transformation will take three years and will “make the fan experience bigger and better on game day and year-round,” according to WBALTV.
The Baltimore Ravens won 20-13 against the Houston Texans on January 15, 2012, when the stadium hit a record crowd of 71,547. With seating capacity for 71,008 people, M&T Bank Stadium is Maryland’s biggest stadium.
Take a virtual tour of the M&T Bank Stadium!
The Biggest Stadiums in Maryland Ranked
Rank | Stadium | Capacity | City |
---|---|---|---|
#1 | M&T Bank Stadium | 71,008 | Baltimore |
#2 | FedEx Field | 62,000 | Landover |
#3 | SECU Stadium | 51,802 | College Park |
#4 | Oriole Park at Camden Yards | 45,971 | Baltimore |
#5 | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | 34,000 | Annapolis |
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