Ben Kenney
June 27, 2024 7:20 am CT
The Big Ten enters a new era with the start of the 2024 football season. The conference expands to 18 member institutions, adding former Pac-12 powers Oregon,Washington,UCLAandUSC.
The new additions all bring rich histories of success to the table. Importantly, they also bring unique identities and game-day environments. The Big Ten did not find four more Midwest schools with similar histories and styles of play, to say the least. Instead, the four West Coast additions are about as different as a collection of programs can be.
Related:Big Ten Football Power Index Rankings for 2024: Which teams are underrated, overrated?
Those identities and atmospheres will be seen first-hand when conference play begins and the Big Ten’s traditional powers take trips out West for conference matchups.
Part of that experience will be playing in Washington’s Husky Stadium, Oregon’s Autzen Stadium, the Rose Bowl (UCLA) and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum (USC). Again, an entirely new collection of game environments and stadium atmospheres.
Those stadium atmospheres were a hot topic of debate on Tuesday after EA Sports College Football 25 unveiled its ranking of the toughest places to play in the sport. Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium was No. 7 on the list due in part to the Badgers’ long history of home success, the stadium’s capacity and its terrific attendance record.
For reference, Camp Randall is one of the largest stadiums in the Big Ten — even after its new additions.
Here is that updated list of the Big Ten’s 18 football venues ranked by seating capacity:
18
Ryan Field (Northwestern)
Nov. 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; General view of a Northwestern Wildcats helmet on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:N/A (will be 35,000 after construction is completed in 2026)
Built:In progress
Notes: Northwestern will play its 2024 and 2025 seasons at a temporary location along the shore of Lake Michigan. The new stadium will open in 2026.
17
Huntington Bank Stadium (Minnesota)
Oct. 29, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Pregame between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:50,805
Built:2009
Notes: This stadium maxed out at more than 54,000 for a 2015 game vs. TCU. It also housed the Minnesota Vikings for a few years while their new stadium was under construction.
16
SECU Stadium
Nov. 19, 2022; College Park, Maryland; Ohio State Buckeyes punter Michael O’Shaughnessy (96) warms up before their game against Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Capacity:51,802
Built:1950
Notes: The stadium has undergone expansions in 1995, 2002 and 2008. It can surpass that 51,000 number for big-time games, but the Terrapins are rarely in position to host those contests.
15
SHI Stadium
Oct. 2, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey; A general view of the field at SHI Stadium before the game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:52,454
Built:1994
Notes: The stadium underwent a significant expansion in 2008/2009 to increase the capacity from 41,500 to the current number. It remains half as large as some of the top stadiums on this list.
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis, and opinions onRutgers Wire
14
Memorial Stadium (Indiana)
Oct. 20, 2018; Bloomington, Indiana; A view of the north end zone before the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:52,626
Built:1960
Notes: New head coach Curt Cignetti is tasked with filling the stadium again after things took a negative turn under former head coach Tom Allen. The Hoosiers had an average attendance of 44,589 in 2023, down from nearly 47,000 in 2022.
13
Autzen Stadium (Oregon)
Oct. 18, 2014; Eugene, Oregon; General view of Autzen Stadium between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies. Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:54,000
Built:1927
Notes: Autzen Stadium routinely stretches its capacity to nearly 60,000 for its biggest games. That includes 59,987 last year against Oregon State. It isn’t the biggest stadium, but it’s one of the best gameday atmospheres in the sport.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
12
Memorial Stadium (Illinois)
Dec. 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois; A general view during the first half in a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:60,670
Built:1923
Notes: The Chicago Bears played their 2002 season here while Soldier Field was being rebuilt.
11
Ross-Ade Stadium (Purdue)
Sept. 26, 2015; West Lafayette, Indiana; A general view before the game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Bowling Green Falcons at Ross Ade Stadium. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:61,441
Built:1924
Notes: This is one of the only grass fields remaining in the conference, with most other programs having opted for some form of field turf. The stadium has undergone six expansions: 1930, 1949, 1955, 1964, 1969 and most recently in 2023.
10
Kinnick Stadium (Iowa)
Nov. 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa; A general view of Kinnick Stadium before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:69,250
Built:1929
Notes: Kinnick Stadium made EA Sports’ list of the toughest places to play in the sport at No. 20. The stadium is not one of the largest in the conference, but it is easily one of the more raucous.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
9
Husky Stadium (Washington)
Sept. 24, 2022; Seattle, Washington; General view of Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium as the Husky Marching Band performs before a game between the Stanford Cardinal and Washington Huskies. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:70,083
Built:1920
Notes: Many call this the greatest setting in college football. It’s hard to argue due to its perch right on Lake Washington. The stadium was also briefly the home of the Seattle Seahawks (2001, 2002) while Lumen Field was being constructed.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire
8
Spartan Stadium (Michigan State)
Oct. 24, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan; A view inside Spartan Stadium before the game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:75,005
Built:1923
Notes: Michigan State has a substantial home-field advantage at Spartan Stadium, with 15 consecutive wins in the building from 2010-2012. The building itself has gone through several expansions, most recently in 2005.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
7
Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin)
Sept. 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; General view of Camp Randall Stadium during the game between the Washington State Cougars and Wisconsin Badgers. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:75,822
Built:1917
Notes: The stadium and its capacity crowd are highlighted by the playing of ‘Jump Around’ at the end of the third quarter in every home game. The recent south end zone renovation in 2022 cut the capacity down from 80,321 to its current number.
6
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (USC)
April 15, 2023; Los Angeles, California; A general view of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before the USC Trojans Spring Game. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:77,500
Built:1923
Notes: This building has a rich history outside of just USC football. It has housed the Los Angeles Rams Rams, the Summer Olympics, the Los Angeles Dodgers, World Cup games a NASCAR race and more.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
5
Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)
Nov. 19, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) looks to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:90,000
Built:1923
Notes: Nebraska has an alleged sellout streak in this building dating to 1962 (if you pan to the upper deck, the games are not sold out). The building’s record attendance is 92,003 for a women’s volleyball match in August 2023.
Get more (Nebrasa) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
4
Rose Bowl (UCLA)
Jan. 1, 2020; Pasadena, California; General view during the B-2 flyover during the national anthem before the 106th Rose Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers at Rose Bowl Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:92,542
Built:1922
Notes: The Rose Bowl Stadium is more known for the Rose Bowl itself than for UCLA home games. But the building has played host to some of college football’s greatest games of all time.
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
3
Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)
Sept. 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio; General view before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ohio Stadium. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:102,780
Built:1922
Notes: The Horseshoe is one of the few stadiums that surpass an attendance of 100,000 for nearly every game. The building’s record is 110,045 for Ohio State’s 2016 overtime win over Michigan.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
2
Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
Sept. 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania; A general view of Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:106,572
Built:1959
Notes: Beaver Stadium’s record attendance is 110,889 for its 2018 game against Ohio State. Not only is it one of the largest stadiums in the world, but it also creates one of the best and most intimidating game day environments.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
1
Michigan Stadium (Michigan)
Sept. 4, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan; General view Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the game between the Western Michigan Broncos and the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Capacity:107,601
Built:1927
Notes: Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States and the Western Hemisphere.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
