Which NFL Stadium Is The Loudest?
Contents
The Seattle Seahawks’ CenturyLink Field is the loudest NFL stadium, according to a 2013 study.
Seattle Seahawks – CenturyLink Field
The Seattle Seahawks have the loudest fans in the NFL, and it’s not even close. The 12th man at CenturyLink Field holds the Guinness World Record for crowd noise at an astounding 137.6 decibels. That’s about as loud as a jet engine taking off.
Kansas City Chiefs – Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is widely considered to be the loudest stadium in the NFL, and it has held the world record for loudest crowd roar at 142.2 decibels. The stadium is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and is home to the Kansas City Chiefs.
New Orleans Saints – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
In 2005, the New Orleans Saints installed the largest and most powerful sound system in any sports venue in the world. With 18,000 watts of power output and 128 speakers, the system is capable of reaching decibel levels of 139.
The stadium’s acoustics are such that crowd noise has been known to cause opposing players to false start on numerous occasions. In fact, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is widely considered to be the loudest stadium in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens – M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, is widely considered to be the loudest stadium in the NFL.
The record for the loudest crowd noise at an NFL game was set at M&T Bank Stadium on December 2, 2013, when the Ravens played the Detroit Lions. The noise level reached 137.5 decibels, which is equivalent to standing next to a jet engine take-off.
The reason M&T Bank Stadium is so loud is because of its unique design. The upper decks are much closer to the field than at most other stadiums, and there is no roof to absorb sound. Additionally, the stadium is built partly on concrete pilings, which amplifies crowd noise.
Denver Broncos – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
The Denver Broncos – Sports Authority Field at Mile High is the loudest stadium in the NFL, according to a recent study. The study, conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder, found that the Broncos’ home stadium reached a peak noise level of 137.5 decibels during a game against the New England Patriots in September 2013.
The study’s lead author, CU-Boulder sound engineer Andrew J. Florez, said that the Broncos’ fans set the record for loudest crowd noise at an outdoor sporting event with their cheers during that game. “To put it in perspective, that’s about as loud as a jet taking off from 100 feet away,” Florez said.
The second- and third-loudest stadiums in the NFL were CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, and Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
