How Many NFL Stadiums Are Indoors?

There are eight NFL stadiums with a retractable roof and/or a fixed dome.

How Many NFL Stadiums Are Indoors?

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The NFL is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, and is widely considered to be the most popular sports league in North America.

Twelve NFL stadiums are currently configured with a retractable roof: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, NRG Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, US Bank Stadium, State Farm Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Ford Field, Gillette Stadium, Heinz Field, JerryWorld (AT&T Stadium), Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Pros and Cons of Indoor Stadiums

NFL stadiums have been getting increasingly more sophisticated and expensive in recent years. A big reason for this is because many teams are now opting to build their stadiums indoors. There are several benefits to this such as climate control and a decreased chance of weather delays. However, there are also some drawbacks such as the increased costs of construction and the lack of a home-field advantage.

The Pros of Indoor Stadiums

Indoor stadiums provide protection from the elements for both athletes and spectators. This can be a huge advantage in places with extreme climates, like Green Bay, Wisconsin, where Lambeau Field is located. Lambeau is notorious for its cold weather and snow, but fans and players are shielded from the elements inside the stadium.

Another benefit of indoor stadiums is that they tend to be more comfortable for spectators. There are no issues with sun glare or inclement weather, and the temperature is controlled, so it’s usually more pleasant inside than it is outside. This can make a big difference when attending a long game or event.

Lastly, indoor stadiums can be designed to create an optimal fan experience. There tend to be more restrooms and concessions available inside, and the sightlines are often better since there are no obstructed seats. This can make attending a game more enjoyable and convenient for fans.

The Cons of Indoor Stadiums

There are several disadvantages of playing football in an indoor stadium, the most significant of which is the potential for injuries. Because the turf is harder and faster than natural grass, there is a greater risk for player collisions and slips, which can lead to serious injuries. Additionally, the artificial lighting can cause eye strain and headaches for some players. Finally, the lack of fresh air can create a stuffy atmosphere that is unpleasant for both players and fans.

The History of Indoor Stadiums in the NFL

The National Football League has a long and storied history, dating back to its inception in 1920. Throughout the years, the league has seen many changes, including the construction of new stadiums. In the early days of the NFL, all stadiums were outdoors. But as the years went on, some teams began to build stadiums that were indoors.

The First Indoor Stadium

In 1965, the Astrodome opened in Houston, Texas and became the first major league baseball stadium with a retractable roof. The Astrodome was revolutionary at the time and became known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Not only did it have a retractable roof, but it also had air conditioning, which was a huge benefit for players and fans alike. The Astrodome was so successful that other professional sports teams began to look into building their own indoor stadiums.

In 1967, the§2.1 billion Kingdom in Minneapolis (now U.S. Bank Stadium) becomes first indoor stadium for an NFL team with its announcement.. The temporary home of the Minnesota Vikings was open for business three years later after some construction delays. The Metrodome, as it came to be known, featured a white Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric roof that was inflated by giant blowers. It became such a recognizable landmark in Minneapolis that when it was finally demolished in 2013, there was a public ceremony held to celebrate its passing.

The next indoor stadium in the NFL came about as a result of Grey Cup game being played in Winnipeg during a blizzard in 1991. As it turns out, playing football in snowy conditions is not ideal and led to calls for a new stadium with a dome. That led to construction of Investors Group Field, which opened in 2013 and is currently home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The Second Indoor Stadium

On December 21, 1967, the Omnibus Metropolitan Stadium bill was introduced in Congress to authorize the construction of three multipurpose stadiums: one in San Francisco, one in Atlanta, and one in Minneapolis. The bill passed both the House and Senate, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law on January 17, 1968.

One of the three stadiums authorized by this bill was Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, which would be home to both the Atlanta Braves baseball team and the Atlanta Falcons football team. The Falcons had been playing their home games at Atlanta Stadium (now Georgia State Stadium) since 1966, but had been hoping for a new facility that would be more suitable for football. When ground was finally broken on Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in April 1968, it became apparent that the stadium would not be ready in time for the 1968 NFL season. As a result, the Falcons played their first two home games of the 1968 season at other venues (Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., and Tulane Stadium in New Orleans), before finally moving into their new home on October 7, 1968.

With a capacity of 50,000 people (expandable to 72,000 for football), Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium became only the second stadium with a dome-shaped roof (after the Astrodome in Houston). The stadium’s roof was made out of Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric and was held up by air pressure; it could be open or closed depending on the weather conditions. In 1974, following complaints from baseball fans about sunlight peeking through gaps in the fabric roof, millions of tiny plastic beads were sewn into the fabric to make it opaque.

In its first year of operation, Fulton County Stadium hosted both the NFL’s Falcons and MLB’s Braves. But after 1971, when baseball expanded and added two additional teams (the San Diego Padres and Montreal Expos), each team needed its own stadium. As a result, Braves owner Ted Turner purchased land just outside of downtown Atlanta and built Turner Field (now SunTrust Park), which opened in 1997. The Falcons then became sole tenants of Fulton County Stadium until 1991 when they moved to their current home: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Future of Indoor Stadiums in the NFL

The National Football League has seen a recent trend of building indoor stadiums. This is due to the many advantages that they offer compared to traditional outdoor stadiums. Indoor stadiums can protect players and fans from the elements, provide a more controlled environment, and create a more intimate atmosphere.

The Possibility of More Indoor Stadiums

While all the NFL stadiums currently in operation are outdoors, that could change in the future. There are a number of advantages to playing games in an indoor stadium, including controlled temperatures and no risk of weather delays or cancellations. In addition, indoor stadiums can be designed to maximize the fan experience with better sightlines and more comfortable seating.

There are currently four NFL teams who play their home games in domed or retractable roof stadiums: the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks. Of these four teams, only the Seahawks have a fully retractable roof. The Cardinals’ and Colts’ stadiums have a dome that can be opened or closed as needed, while the Saints’ stadium has a fixed roof but is designed to allow natural light in.

If more teams move to playing indoors, it could change the way the game is played. For example, the faster pace of play in indoor arenas has led to higher scoring in basketball and hockey games. It’s possible that we could see something similar happen in football if more games are played indoors.

Only time will tell if we see more indoor NFL stadiums in the future, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

The Probability of More Indoor Stadiums

It’s no secret that the NFL is a cold weather league. With most of the teams located in the northern United States, playing games in December and January can be a challenge. That’s why many NFL teams have decided to build stadiums with retractable roofs or domes.

Currently, there are only eight NFL stadiums with a retractable roof or dome. But that number could soon increase. In the next few years, several NFL teams are planning to build new stadiums or renovate their existing ones. And many of these plans include adding a retractable roof or dome.

The main reason for this trend is simple: comfort. When the weather is nice, fans can enjoy the game in an open-air stadium. But when it gets cold or starts to rain, the roof can be closed to protect fans from the elements.

Of course, building an indoor stadium is not cheap. It’s estimated that adding a retractable roof to an existing stadium costs about $100 million. So it’s no surprise that most teams are opting for cheaper, simpler renovations like adding heated seats and changing the playing surface from grass to artificial turf.

But as more teams move to warmer climates or build new stadiums in cold weather cities, it’s likely that we’ll see more indoor stadiums in the NFL in the future.