The Big Ten isn’t just one of the two premier conferences in college football, it’s also chock-full of bucket list stadiums to visit.
Unlike in the NFL, where the stadium experience from team to team is relatively similar, the Big Ten boasts some of the grandest cathedrals in the sport of football. Even the worst on our list would be among the best in college football.
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Having covered Michigan football since 2015, we’ve been to most of the 18 stadiums of the Big Ten football teams, with only a handful (two) exceptions. Judging off the stadium experience, the architecture, the storied nature, and our general feeling being in and around the stadium on game day, here is how we rank all 18 Big Ten football stadiums.
Sep 10, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; A general wide view during the fourth quarter in a game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Currently, Northwestern isn’t playing at Ryan Field, but is splitting its time between a makeshift stadium on the lakefront outside of the practice facility and Wrigley Field. Once Ryan Field is renovated, it certainly will rise on the list. But the home field for the Wildcats is mostly a forgettable experience — from the ambience to the tailgating atmosphere outside of the game.
16. SHI Stadium – Rutgers Scarlet Knights (tied)
Photo: Isaiah Hole
We’ve been to Rutgers now three times and the birthplace of college football is quite a mundane affair when it comes to the stadium atmosphere. The tailgating outside is interesting, as was the fair-like carnival we saw in 2022. But inside SHI Stadium, it feels a little higher than a high school experience. The biggest draw is the proximity to New York City.
16. SECU Stadium – Maryland Terrapins (tied)
Oct 1, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; A general view as the Maryland Terrapins take the field to play the Iowa Hawkeyes at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve also been to Maryland three times and it’s not terribly different than Rutgers. The stands have always had large swaths of empty seats, and it rarely gets raucous. Like going to Piscataway, the draw here is the proximity to Washington D.C.
15. Rose Bowl – UCLA Bruins
Sep 4, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; General view as the UCLA Bruins play against the Louisiana State Tigers during the first half the at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The stadium itself is top-notch, likely the best in all of college football. We were, of course, there for Michigan’s tilt on Jan. 1, 2024 against Alabama, which was the most thrilling game we’ve seen in person in the greatest atmosphere. However, well before we were in the media, back in 2008, we saw a UCLA vs. (then-ranked) Oregon State game. Though the tailgating on the golf course was top-notch, what was inside the stadium didn’t even resemble college football. We couldn’t find the band or the student section, and the stadium itself was maybe half full.
14. Ross-Ade Stadium – Purdue Boilermakers
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 22: General view of the stadium before the game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Wisconsin Badgers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 22, 2023 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
We’ve only been to Purdue once, in 2017, and it didn’t stand apart from its competition, minus the cinder block visitor locker rooms (well-publicized in the wake of Wilton Speight’s neck injury sustained in that game). It’s an OK experience inside, but the tailgating outside, which was sprawling, was pretty cool to see.
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A general view during the first half in a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve visited Memorial Stadium twice, and it’s been a pretty great atmosphere. The recent renovations have improved the stadium experience, but it’s still wanting compared to the rest of the conference.
12. Spartan Stadium – MSU Spartans
Aug 31, 2018; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Spartan Stadium during the first quarter of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Utah State Aggies at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
This isn’t a rivalry knock, but this grandstand, comprised entirely of concrete, is something of an eyesore. The crowd can get awfully raucous, which isn’t nearly as fun when it’s as heated a rivalry as Michigan vs. MSU tends to be. Still, it is a great experience and would be rated higher if it weren’t for the teams ahead on the list.
11. Huntington Bank Stadium – Minnesota Golden Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 31: A general view of the members of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Minnesota Golden Gophers ready for play in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The newest stadium on the list, the Gophers haven’t played here long, and it’s certainly a giant upgrade on the Metrodome. It’s not a big stadium, but it’s cozy and has the feel of an older stadium. Tailgating leaves a bit to be desired, but it’s not surprising, being in the middle of Minneapolis. Still, this is a pretty great stadium experience.
10. Memorial Stadium – Indiana Hoosiers
Oct 20, 2018; Bloomington, IN, USA; A view of the north end zone before the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
A smaller stadium on the list, but Indiana is always a pleasure to take in a game within. A good mix of old and new after the renovations last decade, this stadium can get raucous, especially now that the Hoosiers have improved their standing from a football perspective.
9. Kinnick Stadium – Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; A general view of Kinnick Stadium before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
If you’re an opponent, the last thing you want to do is play at Kinnick at night (ask Michigan football in 2016). We’ve been here twice, and it’s a pretty cool place that feels a lot more like a Big 12 setting in some ways. It’s loud, the fans are friendly, and the tailgating scene is quite cool. Of course, Iowa has the coolest tradition with ‘the wave’ to the children’s hospital between the first and second quarters.
8. LA Memorial Coliseum – USC Trojans
Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general overall view of United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before a game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the USC Trojans. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
One place we haven’t been as of yet, USC is known for having a great football environment — when the team is good. It was arguably greater when there were no NFL teams in town (let alone two) as this essentially was the only show in town. One big drawback is location, as the proximity to DTLA isn’t exactly a hospitable area.
7. Camp Randall Stadium – Wisconsin Badgers
Sep 7, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Camp Randall Stadium during the third quarter of the game between the South Dakota Coyotes and Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
We hate to say it, but we’re always somewhat underwhelmed coming to Camp Randall. The tailgating scene is out of this world, as is the crowd environment. Yet, for whatever reason, in our three times at Wisconsin, it’s never quite been as good as advertised. Perhaps that’s because it’s often spoken of as perhaps the best in the Big Ten. We won’t go that far, but it is a pretty great place to watch a game.
6. Husky Stadium – Washington Huskies
Dec 5, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; General view of Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium during the fourth quarter of a game between the Stanford Cardinal and Washington Huskies. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
They call it ‘the greatest setting’ for a reason, and it does not disappoint. Everything about attending a game in this area of Seattle is out of this world, from the beautiful location on Lake Washington with the sailgating, to the tailgating outside of the stadium, to the fan environment. Washington has a truly spectacular place to take in a football game, and it’s hard to rival this.
5. Ohio Stadium – Ohio State Buckeyes
The Oregon Ducks mascot stand behind the endzone during the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. The Ducks won 35-28. Oregon Ducks At Ohio State Buckeyes Football
We’ve been here four times now, and we always want to like it more. The old, dirty concrete aesthetic leaves a bit to be desired, and it feels a lot more like an NFL experience compared to a college one. Still, it’s loud, historic, storied, and there are fans everywhere. The tailgating is great outside the stadium, but odd otherwise — as many are doing so on different levels of parking garages. Still, Ohio State has one of the great stadiums in the country, and the fact that The Horseshoe is No. 5 on our list speaks more to the schools ahead than the Buckeye home.
4. Michigan Stadium – Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Stadium spring game
Our home stadium, where we’ve seen nearly 100 games at this point. Michigan Stadium is almost always full somewhere during the first quarter but the student section tends to empty out in the fourth if the Wolverines are winning. Still, it’s hard to beat seeing a game at The Big House, especially if it’s a big match. No game has impressed more than the 2021 Ohio State game.
3. Autzen Stadium – Oregon Ducks
EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 07: A general view of the stadium during the game between the Washington State Cougars and the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
We haven’t been to Autzen, but we’re placing this at No. 3 based on reputation alone. One of the smaller stadiums in the conference, all reports indicate that it may be the loudest. It has a unique design and always gets positive reviews from opposing fans who visit. Oregon truly has a unique and great stadium, and we can say that sight unseen.
2. Memorial Stadium – Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nov 24, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; A general view of the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve been to Memorial Stadium twice, and it’s impressive every time. Nebraska has struggled mightily in the last decade, and yet, the Husker fans sell their stadium out every game. They’re always kind, of good, and eager spirit, yet raucous during the game. It’s a very cool experience that every football fan should take part of.
1. Beaver Stadium – Penn State Nittany Lions
Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Our No. 1 (and it isn’t really close) is Penn State. We’ve been to State College five times, with two being night games. The Erector Set-looking stadium isn’t necessarily impressive when you’re meandering the concourses, but inside, standing on the grass field, it’s something to behold. It’s difficult to explain just how loud it gets inside, particularly for night-game ‘white out’ matchups. It’s a daunting place, and yet, it’s easily our favorite.
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None of the aforementioned places are a bad experience overall when it comes to watching a college football game, which speaks heavily of just how good and storied the Big Ten is and how great the fanbases are for all 18 teams.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Best Big Ten football stadiums: Ranking the best places to watch games