There’s nothing quite like watching your favorite team live. From the tailgates and pre-game rituals to the roar of the crowd as the players take the field, the energy builds long before kickoff. A lively crowd doesn’t just watch the action, it elevates it, turning every play into an unforgettable experience. And with each season, fans seem to get louder and prouder, taking the excitement to new heights.

Case in point, last year’s Stanley Cup finals had the loudest crowd in recorded NHL history, when the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, recorded a crowd roar of 130 dB. And this got us wondering – which stadiums and arenas have the best atmosphere for sporting events?

To find out, we researched each venue in the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL to find out which crowds are the most electric on game day, which we calculated by assessing TripAdvisor reviews, social media sentiment, crowd safety, and the number of sell-out games at each venue.

Read on to find out where your favorite team’s home turf ranked.

The most fan-fueled stadiums in the NFL

With millions of fans across the country, the NFL has some of the loudest crowds in any sport. If you’re looking to attend a game with a great atmosphere, these stadiums are your best bets:

1. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)
2. Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers)
3. Highmark Stadium (Buffalo Bills)
4. Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins)
5. Ford Field (Detroit Lions)

1. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)

Green Bay Packers fans can take pride in their home stadium having the best atmosphere in the NFL, scoring 93.06 out of 100 on our rankings.

As well as topping our overall list, Lambeau Field is the highest-rated NFL stadium on TripAdvisor, with reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5. These reviews were also more likely to mention a great atmosphere in the venue than any other stadium, with 210 people bringing up the stadium’s energy when recounting their experiences.

We also registered 150 tailgate mentions, which makes Lambeau Field the second-most discussed venue in the NFL for tailgate parties (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs’ home ground, saw 166 mentions).

Some venues have actually banned tailgating, but if you’re looking to enjoy a party outside the venue before your game, Packers fans have plenty of options.

2. Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers)

The home turf of the San Francisco 49ers, Levi’s Stadium, ranks as the second-best NFL venue for crowd atmosphere on our list. Not only is the stadium hosting Super Bowl LX in 2026, but it has the most positive fan sentiment of any NFL stadium on social media, with 87% of discussions mentioning the venue in a positive light.

You can always rely on a 49ers game having a great turnout, too, as our data shows that Levi’s Stadium had the second-highest attendance in the league last season. With an average sell-out rate of 94%, only the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium saw better ticket sales. This helps give 49ers fans a second-place finish overall, with a total score of 92.50 out of 100.

3. Highmark Stadium (Buffalo Bills)

The Bills Mafia has a reputation for being one of the NFL’s most vocal fanbases, so it’s no surprise to see Highmark Stadium take a spot on our list of the five best stadiums in the league for atmosphere. With an average TripAdvisor rating of 4.4 out of 5 and 83% positive fan sentiment on social media, the Buffalo Bills have one of the most popular venues in the NFL.

Another factor in Highmark Stadium’s success on our list is its safety, as it has the lowest crime rate in the whole league. Our data shows that the local crime rate is just 884 incidents per 100k people, which is lower than in any other NFL city. Scoring 82.99 out of 100 overall, Highmark Stadium earns a podium finish at #3 on our list.

With the Bills having started their final season at Highmark Stadium before moving into a brand-new home in 2026, one question remains: Will the fans’ electric energy seamlessly carry over to the new venue?

4. Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins)

Not only is Hard Rock Stadium a popular venue among Miami Dolphins fans, who are one of the most loved teams in the NFL, but visitors from other stadiums seem to enjoy their away games in the Magic City, too. With 85% of social media discussions being positive, Hard Rock Stadium is one of the most popular NFL venues among attendees across the entire league.

The Miami Dolphins’ home turf also boasts a low crime rate compared to many other NFL cities, as 2,095 incidents are reported per 100k people – that’s lower than half of the average across all venues (4,323). Its popularity and safety combine to give Hard Rock Stadium a total of 82.06 out of 100 in our rankings for a fourth-place finish.

5. Ford Field (Detroit Lions)

Rounding out our top five is Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions. The venue enjoyed near sold out crowds throughout the 2024 season, with an above-average TripAdvisor score of 4.4 out of 5. Its low crime rate (2,714 incidents per 100k people) also helps to give it a place on our list.

Scoring 81.64 out of 100 overall, Ford Field in Michigan ranks at #5 in our rankings of the NFL stadiums with the best atmosphere. It beats stiff competition from the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium at #6 (80.13) and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium at #7 (77.26).

The most fan-fueled stadiums in the MLB

There are a few notable omissions from our top five best MLB stadiums for atmosphere. For example, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ PNC Park is the highest-rated MLB venue on TripAdvisor, but it appears at #8 on our overall rankings with a score of 64.97.

Similarly, Angel Stadium (home of the Los Angeles Angels) landed at #9 with a score of 64.44, despite having a positive fan sentiment of 88% – the highest of any venue in the league. So, which venues beat them in the overall rankings?

Here are the top five most fan-fueled MLB stadiums:

1. Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
2. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)
3. Petco Park (San Diego Padres)
4. Oracle Park (San Francisco Giants)
5. Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)

1. Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)

With an overall score of 82.83 out of 100 in our index, Wrigley Field tops our list of the MLB stadiums with the best atmosphere. While it scores highly across the board, its reputation for a great atmosphere among fans cements its position at the top of the list, with 1,000 mentions of the venue’s energy in TripAdvisor reviews.

Combined with a 79% positive fan sentiment online and an average game attendance of 89% last season, it’s easy to see why it’s such a beloved stadium.

2. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)

With a 4.7 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor and 1,000 mentions of a great atmosphere in reviews, Fenway Park earns a silver medal in our rankings.

The stadium boasts a low crime rate of 2,653 incidents reported per 100k people, which makes it the second safest MLB venue, and its average attendance of 90% for home games last season proves how dedicated Red Sox fans are.

Scoring 80.85 out of 100 overall, Fenway Park finishes less than two points behind first place.

3. Petco Park (San Diego Padres)

Not only is Petco Park the safest venue in the MLB, with a crime rate of 2,092 incidents per 100k people, but it also had a nearly 100% average attendance in the 2024 season.

This makes the 39,860-seater stadium the most widely attended venue in the league for the past year. With an overall score of 71.54 out of 100, it earns a podium finish on our list of the stadiums with the best atmosphere.

4. Oracle Park (San Francisco Giants)

The home ground of the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park lands at #4 in our rankings with an overall score of 69.10 out of 100.

With 700 mentions of its atmosphere in TripAdvisor reviews, and an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 on the site, it’s one of the most highly reviewed venues in the league. Oracle Park also saw an average attendance of 88% for home games last season, so fans could enjoy packed stands at almost every game.

5. Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)

As one of the biggest teams in the league, it’s hardly a surprise to see the New York Yankees rounding out our top five. Yankee Stadium may only have a rating of 4.4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor, but with 445 reviews mentioning the venue’s atmosphere, and the average game reaching a 92% attendance last season, its energy is undeniable.

Its overall score of 68.12 sees it beat close competition from the likes of the Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays) and Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers).

The most fan-fueled NBA and NHL arenas

When ranking NBA and NHL arenas, we learned that venues which host both leagues made up half of our top ten, suggesting that a great atmosphere can carry over between the two sports. The NHL also ranks higher than the NBA overall, with eight of its venues landing in the top ten.

Arenas are often smaller than stadiums and typically feature a closed roof, providing a distinctly different crowd atmosphere. But which arenas ranked the best in our data?

Here are the top five NBA and NHL venues for atmosphere:

1. Madison Square Garden (NY Knicks + Rangers)
2. Kaseya Center (Miami Heat)
3. TD Garden (Boston Celtics + Bruins)
4. Prudential Center (New Jersey Devils)
5. Crypto.com Arena (LA Lakers + Kings)

1. Madison Square Garden (NY Knicks + Rangers

There’s an argument to be made that Madison Square Garden is the most famous arena in the world, so it’s hardly a surprise to see it dominate the competition in our rankings.

As well as having the joint-highest rating on TripAdvisor of any venue we researched (4.6 out of 5), we counted 678 mentions of atmosphere among its reviews, and almost every game in its sporting calendar was a sellout last year.

These all contribute to its final score of 88.88 out of 100, putting MSG head and shoulders above any other NBA or NHL arena.

2. Kaseya Center (Miami Heat)

Miami’s Kaseya Center, the home of the three-time NBA championship-winning Miami Heat, earns a second-place finish in our rankings with 75.70 out of 100 on our index.

TripAdvisor gives the venue a rating of 4.6 out of 5, with 184 reviews listing its atmosphere as a positive. Boasting a capacity of 19,600, each of the Miami Heat’s games last season bordered on a sell-out, with an average attendance of almost 100%.

3. TD Garden (Boston Celtics + Bruins)

With an average game attendance of nearly 100% last year and 186 mentions of the venue’s great atmosphere in TripAdvisor reviews, Boston’s TD Garden takes third place in our rankings.

The arena is also one of the safest on our list, with 2,653 incidents per 100k people (compared to an average of 3,518). However, given the venue’s rating of 4.4/5 on TripAdvisor and just a 60% positive fan sentiment online, it finishes with an overall score of 73.71.

4. Prudential Center (NJ Devils)

Out of all the arenas we researched, the Prudential Center in New Jersey has the most positive fan sentiment on social media, with 98% of discussions being positive. The venue also saw an average attendance of 98% for New Jersey Devils home games last season, making each of its 16,514 seats a highly sought-after commodity among fans.

Add a crime rate of 2,542 incidents per 100k people to the list, and the Prudential Center finishes with a score of 71.07 out of 100.

5. Crypto.com Arena (LA Lakers + Kings)

Formerly known as the Staples Center, the Crypto.com Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the NBA and NHL over the years. It earns a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5, with 242 reviews mentioning its atmosphere.

Plus, it’s one of the safest arenas in either league, with just 2,223 crimes reported per 100k people. However, the arena is brought down by having the second-lowest positive fan sentiment online (just 44% of discussions were positive), which gives it a final score of 70.77.

Did your local sporting venue make the list? Which stadium do you think has the best atmosphere? Be sure to share your thoughts, and make sure to stay tuned to Hard Rock Bet’s news section for all the latest sports betting news, betting tips, surveys, and more.

Methodology

This study set out to identify and rank the stadiums and arenas in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL with the best overall atmosphere. To achieve this, we evaluated each venue across five key factors that reflect both fan experience and external conditions:

1. Stadium rating – Average review ratings for each stadium/arena were collected from TripAdvisor.
2. Fan mentions of atmosphere and tailgating – Text data from Tripadvisor reviews was analyzed for the frequency of the keywords “atmosphere” (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) and “tailgating” (NFL, MLB), as proxies for in-venue experience and fan culture.
3. Game attendance – League-reported attendance figures were compared to maximum venue capacity as a measure of fan engagement. The formula used was Game Attendance = average attendance/venue capacity. Data was gathered from:
   NFL: Pro-Football-Reference
   MLB: Baseball-Reference
   NBA: InsideHoops
   NHL: HockeyDB
4. Crime rate – Local crime data was gathered from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer (CDE).
5. Fan sentiment – Social listening data from Brandwatch was analyzed to assess how positively fans discuss each stadium/arena online.

Once the data was collected, each factor was normalized to a score between 0 and 1, making them directly comparable. These scores were then combined and scaled to a total score out of 100. Finally, we ranked every stadium and arena in each league from highest to lowest, revealing where fans can expect the very best game-day atmosphere.

* Note: The Tampa Bay Rays and Athletics were excluded from the MLB ranking due to having temporary ballparks.

While some NFL teams have hiked fan costs by over 500% since 1991, others have lowered them in real dollars.

From the NFL and NBA to MLB and NHL, owners of the Big Four often find themselves under fire for the rising costs of attending games. But it’s not just about ticket prices, as even the cost of hot dogs, jerseys and foam fingers seems to be constantly on the rise.

And if we’re being honest, it’s true that fans across the country are feeling the pinch, and recent headlines like the Buffalo Bills’ 12% season ticket hike only add fuel to the fire. But is this increase in cost really driven by greed, or is it part of a broader economic trend?

To find out, let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture, and more importantly, shine a light on the owners who are actually doing right by their fans.

By comparing the Fan Cost Index (a measurement that combines ticket prices, food and drink, and merchandise) across football, basketball, baseball and hockey from 1991 to 2024, we can explore how gameday costs have tracked against U.S. inflation in recent years.

Which owners have kept gameday costs fair despite decades of inflation?

While prices have undoubtedly risen, our analysis identifies which owners have kept increases in line with inflation or even below it, offering fans better value in tough times. In a climate of criticism, this is a chance to celebrate those who’ve stayed grounded (and even been pretty generous) in an industry that’s only getting more expensive.

When you take into account that the cumulative inflation rate between 2015 and 2024 was 26.7%, you’d expect to see some pretty hefty price increases in the sports world. However, prepare to be surprised (and perhaps even proud), as many Big Four owners have managed to keep the Fan Cost Index (FCI) impressively low.

1. Bruce Sherman – Miami Marlins

Bruce Sherman, owner of the MLB’s Miami Marlins since 2017, is the number one most generous owner in the Big Four. The Fan Cost Index was $79.12 in 1991, which increased to $224.83 in 2015. Despite high levels of inflation, in 2024, the FCI for Miami Marlins fans was only $184.90, which is an 18% decrease over nine years for the Florida based franchise.

2. Francesco Aquilini – Vancouver Canucks

Francesco Aquilini owns the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks in British Columbia. This team had a Fan Cost Index of $139.94 in 1991 and $456.35 in 2015. By 2024, this had gone down by 7% to $424.39, helping fans to save a few dollars compared to nine years ago. This is the only NHL team to appear in the top 10 list of generous Big Four owners, so props to Aquilini!

3. Ted Leonsis – Washington Wizards

Ted Leonsis of the NBA’s Washington Wizards is another generous owner. A Fan Cost Index of $123.50 in 1991 and $322.82 in 2015 went down to $300.36 in 2024, which is a drop of 7% over nine years.

4. Micky Arison – Miami Heat

Another Florida team that has seen lower fan costs is the NBA’s Miami Heat, owned by Micky Arison. A Fan Cost Index of $118.20 in 1991 and $465.92 in 2015 reduced to $449.36 in 2024, which is a decrease of 4% over nine years.

5. Jim Pohlad – Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins in MLB, owned by Jim Pohlad, had a Fan Cost Index of $74.17 in 1991 and $229.36 in 2015. In 2024, this had dropped to $228.86, which is a 0% change over nine years but still a few cents less at a time when everything else is becoming more expensive.

6. John Mara & Steve Tisch – New York Giants

The NFL’s New York Giants are owned by John Mara and Steve Tisch. These two owners have kept prices low, too, as the Fan Cost Index was $151.80 in 1991, $629.62 in 2015, and only $655.06 in 2024, which is only a 4% increase over nine years.

7. Jerry Jones – Dallas Cowboys

Everything is bigger in Texas, except the cost for fans to attend games for ‘America’s Team’ – the Dallas Cowboys. American Businessman Jerry Jones, known for helping reshape the business of sport through sponsorship rights and elevating franchise valuations league-wide, is one of the Big Four owners who has overseen a relative price stability in the last 9 years. In 1991, the Fan Cost Index was $184.32; in 2015, it was $634.80, and since then it’s increased by just 5% to $665.60 in 2024.

8. Ilitch Family – Detroit Tigers

Christopher Ilitch, the owner of the MLB’s Detroit Tigers, has also ensured that the Fan Cost Index has only increased by 5% over nine years. It was $83.49 in 1991, $213.03 in 2015, and $224.74 in 2024.

9. Rogers Communications – Toronto Blue Jays

Ontario’s Toronto Blue Jays are an MLB team owned by Rogers Communications. Their Fan Cost Index went from $106.69 in 1991 to $208.23 in 2015, but then only increased by 6% over nine years, becoming $220.70 in 2024.

10. Glen Taylor – Minnesota Timberwolves

Last but not least, Glen Taylor is another Minnesota-based Big Four owner who looks after his team’s fans. The Fan Cost Index for the Minnesota Timberwolves was $121.74 in 1991, then $281.06 in 2015, and increased by just 6% to $298.80 by 2024. Taylor sold his stake in the Timberwolves in 2025, so we’ll see if the new ownership group, including former MLB star Alex Rodriguez, continues this fan-friendly trend.

The most generous franchises of the last three decades

Moving on to the franchises themselves, rather than their owners, some have been more generous than others. It’s safe to say that prices have skyrocketed across the board over 33 years, but some franchises have managed to keep the costs down so that fans can still afford to attend games in person.

The Charlotte Hornets (NBA) saw the Fan Cost Index go from $125.26 in 1991 to $237.55 in 2024. This is just a 90% increase in 33 years, which is quite the achievement, compared to the cumulative rate of inflation surpassing 120.8%

Also in our list of franchises that are considered the most generous over the last 33 years are the NBA’s Detroit Pistons (98%), the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays (107%), NBA’s Atlanta Hawks (121%), and San Antonio Spurs (134%).

These are followed by the Washington Wizards (143%) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (145%). With the Indiana Pacers (158%), this brings the total to seven NBA teams in the top 10, for three MLB teams. Interestingly, no NHL or NFL rank in the Top 15.

All of these franchises have managed to keep their FCI relatively low between 1991 and 2024, which is great news for fans who love the excitement of being in the audience for a live game.

For reference, the worst 33-year increase recorded in our study is an NFL franchise that saw a 543% price hike, which goes to show just how generous these top 15 franchises have been over the years.

Ticket inflation: which league’s prices have skyrocketed?

As for the Big Four leagues in general, the Fan Cost Index has, unsurprisingly, risen quite a lot over the years. The NBA has seen the smallest Fan Cost Index increase of the four, going from $141.91 in 1991 to $339.02 in 2015 and $448.61 in 2024. This is a rise of 216% over 33 years and just 2% in the last nine years.

Next up, MLB went from $79.41 in 1991 to $211.89 in 2015 and $266.56 in 2024, which is a 236% rise overall and a 10% increase over the last nine years. Meanwhile, the NHL had a Fan Cost Index of $139.94 in 1991, then $387.72 in 2015, and $498.04 in 2024. That’s an increase of 256% since 1991 and 13% since 2015.

Finally, we then have the NFL, which has seen the largest increases. The Fan Cost Index went from $151.33 in 1991 to $480.89 in 2015 and $631.63 in 2024. This is a 317% increase over 33 years but only a 14% increase over the last 9-year period.

These price hikes have been similar across major events in the Big Four leagues over the past decade, with average Super Bowl ticket prices rising by 215%, World Series tickets up 150%, and Stanley Cup Final tickets now averaging $2,324, a 132% increase since 2015. More details on these findings can be found onsite: Top Sports Events in the U.S. Experiencing Shocking Ticket Inflation.

However, though these sound like sharp rises, bear in mind that all areas of the economy have seen major cost increases over the last 33 years. While inflation has pushed prices up across the board, teams that prioritize fan experience, accessibility, and value through thoughtful pricing, game-day experiences, or community engagement can maintain strong connections with their base. Smart ownership decisions aren’t just about maximizing revenue; they’re about nurturing long-term loyalty in an era where fans are increasingly selective about where they spend their money.

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Methodology

This study ranks all current NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL franchises based on how generous their owners are. To do so, the Fan Cost Index for each year between 1991 and 2024 was taken into account to find out how it varied throughout the years. The Fan Cost Index differences were then compared to cumulative inflation rates in the last 9 years (2015-2024) and 33 years (1991-2024). The owners were then ranked from most generous to least generous based on the percentage increase of fan cost over the years. Data is accurate as of 16/05/2025.

Sources:

Fan Cost Index: https://teammarketing.com/fci/
Inflation rate: https://www.investopedia.com/inflation-rate-by-year-7253832