The Best Sports Stadiums in the South

Most countries base their entire sporting culture around one sport and one sport only, but here in the United States we have a rich tapestry of mainstream sports that delight fans in both North and South.

South of the Mason-Dixon line, though, is where you will find not only some of the most loyal sports fans in the country, but it’s also where you can find some of the biggest sports fanatics on planet earth. This is why these five stadiums should be on every self-respecting tourist/sports fan’s “must-see” list.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Falcons (NFL) & Atlanta United (MLS)
Opened August 26, 2017
Record Attendance: 78,347 (2019 Peach Bowl)

Opened in 1992, the Georgia Dome was the official home to the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia’s biggest sports events for decades, until it was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. Owned by the state government of Georgia, the stadium cost an estimated $1.6 billion to build.

Georgia sports fans would argue that it was worth every penny, as it is one of the best venues in the country to watch a live game. The only home fans to have celebrated heartily at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium thus far have been Atlanta United’s soccer fans.

Since 2017, United has won the Campeones Cup, the MLS Cup, the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Eastern Conference Championship. To keep up to date with all the action from Gonzalo Pineda’s team, keep an eye on the MLS highlights.

Kyle Field

College Station, Texas
Texas A&M Aggies
Opened September 24, 1927
Record Attendance: 110,633 (2014 vs. Ole Miss)

One of the things that always take foreign sports fans by surprise is how serious college sports are here in the U.S. Can you imagine for one minute over 110,000 people turning up to watch a university soccer match in the UK?

In Texas, there is no need for imagination as crowds of that stature aren’t out of the ordinary at Texas A&M Aggies games. Believe it or not, the packed partisan crowd in 2014 wasn’t enough to spur the team on to victory as Ole Miss ran out 35-20 winners.

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AT&T Stadium

Arlington, Texas
Dallas Cowboys
Opened May 27, 2009
Record Attendance: 108,713 (2010 NBA All-Star Game)

The AT&T Stadium in Texas, home of the world-famous Dallas Cowboys, is an allegory of the importance of sticking to budgets. Originally estimated to cost no more than $650 million, costs eventually rose to a staggering $1.5 billion.
Has that overspending been worth it for Texans, though? You bet it has. The At&T Stadium is a stunning sports venue replete with two, 300-foot tall arches that span the length of the dome. In addition to that, it has played host to some of the most memorable moments in recent sports history.

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game holds the record attendance for the stadium, but 105,000 packed in to watch the Cowboys against the New York Giants in 2009. Over 100,000 filled the stadium for WrestleMania 32, and 73,126 turned up for a fight between Alvarez and Saunders earlier this year.

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide
Opened September 28, 1929
Record Attendance: 101, 821

If you want a truly unique sporting experience, head down to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Bryant-Denny Stadium has been home to the team since 1929 and has proved to be a lucky place, as they have won 18 national championships in that timeframe.

On a big game day, you’ll be blown away by the Million Dollar Band who leads the fans into Alabama’s fight song. Then you’ll find yourself uncontrollably joining in with the chants of “Rooooolll Tide, Roll.”

FTX Arena

Miami, Florida
Miami Heat
Opened December 31, 1999
Record Attendance: 19,600

We have had a lot of football entries on this list so far and, rightly so. It’s America’s premier sport and, as a result, the sport with the biggest stadiums. That doesn’t mean that other sports venues aren’t worth a visit, though.
If you love the fast-paced nature of basketball, you absolutely have to get yourself to the FTX Arena to watch the Miami Heat. Often referred to as the “Evil Empire” of the NBA, the Heat aren’t everyone’s favorite team, but they do usually provide a great spectacle for fans.