Tonight’s post category was suggested by BFC’s comment last week in the inaugural donut post. Thank you to all that provided suggestions and I will be incorporating those into future posts.
As I mentioned in the first post, the plan is for this to be an ongoing off-season series on Saturday nights in which I present to you my five favourite somethings and then you comment and tell me:
- How I’m wrong
- Your Top Five
- Suggestions for the next top five list
I have narrowed BFC’s scope of “favorite sports stadia” to only the ones you have been in for a game. I have been to a few where I’ve taken The Tour and sometimes those experiences are even better than an in-game experience, so that may cloud the judgment. I do encourage you, though, to let us know of any cool stadiums you’ve toured and what made them so cool.
Before you say anything, both “stadia” and “stadiums” are accepted plural forms of the word “stadium”. I looked it up.
Without further ado, I present to you my Top Five Stadia I’ve Been to for a Game!
1 – Jerryworld
We love to shit on Jerry Jones around here but you have to admit the man was a genius for building his new stadium in Arlington. I was lucky enough to attend a game at Texas Stadium in Irving, which was iconic but, to be fair, it showed its age.
Jerry transformed the idea of what a stadium should look like and be. He added Go Go Dancers, a Victoria’s Secret store, and the BIGGEST DAGGUM TEEVEE Y’ALL EVER SEEN!
Pros:
Gigantic yet you have amazing views of the game action from every seat.
Literally changed the game in sports stadia. This is now the standard against which any new stadium is measured.
Is an attraction by itself. The Cowboys don’t have to be good. You can take a tour. You can watch college football or professional soccer there. You can hold corporate events. The revenue streams are endless.
Cons:
Not accessible by public transport (although I’m pretty sure that was on purpose so as to get parking money)
At the right time, the sun shines through the side windows and blinds players. Again, this may have been intentional but Cowboys coaches have been too stupid to take advantage.
2 – Amsterdam Arena
Yes, you are looking at the picture correctly. There is a ROAD going directly underneath the stadium!
The Amsterdam Arena (now named Johan Cruijff Arena) was truly ahead of its time when it was built. It is easily accessible by public transport (which is HUGE in The Netherlands), it is environmentally friendly (also a big deal there), and it has great sight lines (not as big but still important).
I saw a European Championship game there and the atmosphere was awesome. The whole experience is hazy but I remember being extremely impressed with that stadium.
Pros:
Extremely “green” stadium.
Acoustics were excellent. In quiet moments you could hear the players and when the crowd went wild it was deafening.
It’s in Amsterdam.
Cons:
It’s in Amsterdam. Not many North Americans will get a chance to pop in for a game on the cheap.
On a hot summer night, the patrons may be a bit…ripe.
3 – The Rose Bowl
I’ve honestly lost count how many events I’ve been to at this stadium. It’s in my hometown, so I’m VERY acquainted with it. I’ve played golf on the course to the north of it. I’ve ran laps (as many people do) around the perimeter in the mornings. I’ve even played official playoff soccer games on the fields outside of it.
Fun fact: The Pasadena City government actually limits the number of events that can be held in the Rose Bowl because we can’t have the neighbors in the multi million dollar homes be disturbed too often.
Pros:
Arguably one of the most famous stadiums in the world.
Are you seeing that backdrop/view?
The grass is pristine. I’ve been on it.
Cons:
At UCLA home games, they used to have cardboard shows at halftime. The students would flip cards to reveal pictures. One year, at the end of the halftime show, the cards started getting tossed in the air. You had to keep your head on a swivel. One time, one smacked me across the forehead, drawing blood. They cancelled the card flips within a year or two because too many people were getting hurt.
The easiest way to get in and out is using a shuttle. Other than that, you’re hiking to Old Town Pasadena. Luckily, it’s not that bad of a hike.
4 – Del Mar Racetrack
To all you atheists, I’m telling you right now: Heaven is a place on Earth and it is called North San Diego County. And Heaven’s Playground is Del Mar Racetrack.
There are so many things to like about it. It’s right next to the ocean so you have amazing views. The architecture is sublime. It has a history as the playground for the rich and famous of bygone eras. The people-watching is unreal.
And there is legal gambling.
Seriously, it is a bucket list item to go to Del Mar for a racing day. Treat yourself to a Thoroughbred Club ticket. You won’t be disappointed.
Pros:
Accessible by train from LA. That train trip alone probably warrants a separate post.
The most architecturally stunning sports stadium I’ve ever been in.
Racing days are incredibly fun and go by super fast.
Cons:
Proximity to the ocean means the temperature changes quickly. Wear layers.
The state of horse racing is dicey in California. Go there before the sport dies.
5 – Dodger Stadium
This is the first stadium that my family went to for a game when we arrived in the United States and it still holds a special place in our hearts. We’ve gone to Dodger playoff games here. My family got our COVID vaccine shots in the parking lot. My brother played a high school championship game there.
Yes, people were displaced to build it. However, the stadium has given so much back to the city that it’s made up for it. If you don’t believe me, count the number of Latino “Doyers” fans.
It is beautifully perched atop a hill that overlooks downtown LA and the greater LA basin. It is easily accessible via multiple major freeways. And, pretty soon, it will have a GONDOLA!
Pros:
Iconic and beautiful and historic
Did you see the view?
GONDOLAS!
Cons:
RTD’s friend is not too thrilled about the gondolas going by her house and possibly catching her disrobed in her own house.
Traffic is not great, Bob.
You need to be in shape. The terrain is hilly and there’s a lot of walking involved.
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What say you in the comments?
