Top CFB Stadiums West: Rankings & Debate

West Coast Gridiron: A Deep Dive into the Top College Football Stadiums

A spirited debate between two seasoned sportswriters has yielded a comprehensive ranking of the top college football stadiums in the Western United States, sparking discussion and sure to draw criticism. Nick Bartlett and Stephen Vilardo of SuperWest Sports each compiled their own lists, then challenged each other’s choices in a “Serious Fun” exercise, revealing fascinating insights into what makes a college football venue truly special.

The Rankings: A Tale of Two Perspectives

Both Bartlett and Vilardo agreed on the top three stadiums in the West: Husky Stadium (University of Washington, Seattle), Autzen Stadium (University of Oregon, Eugene), and LaVell Edwards Stadium (BYU, Provo). However, significant divergence emerged as they moved down the list, highlighting the subjective nature of stadium rankings.

Bartlett’s list places Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego State, San Diego) at No. 4, praising its aesthetic appeal and ideal weather conditions. He also gave a surprisingly high ranking to Allegiant Stadium (UNLV, Las Vegas) at No. 5, while Vilardo placed it dead last at No. 25. “How do you have a nearly $2 billion NFL stadium last on your list?” Bartlett questioned. Vilardo responded that while the stadium is fit for major events, it lacks “juice” as a permanent home for the Rebels, describing it as a “sterile indoor building.”

Vilardo, a self-described “Big Ten guy,” championed the Rose Bowl (UCLA, Pasadena) at No. 5, calling it one of the “cathedrals of sport,” comparable to Fenway Park and Churchill Downs. He noted the beauty of the sunset over the stadium and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Underrated Gems and Personal Preferences

The conversation also revealed some overlooked venues. Bartlett highlighted Air Force’s Falcon Stadium as Vilardo’s most underrated pick, praising its “eloquently majestic” setting with mountain views. Vilardo also suggested Reser Stadium (Oregon State, Corvallis) deserves more recognition for its atmosphere and aesthetics.

Personal preferences also played a role. Vilardo admitted he simply “doesn’t like” Mountain America Stadium (Arizona State, Tempe), while Bartlett confessed to potentially overrating Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Hawai’i, Honolulu), acknowledging its temporary status and modest facilities but conceding it’s hard to dismiss a stadium located in Hawaii.

Beyond Ambience: Attendance and Fanbase

A key point of contention centered on Martin Stadium (Washington State, Pullman). Vilardo expected Bartlett to rank it higher, but Bartlett explained that the stadium’s atmosphere suffers from inconsistent attendance. “Martin Stadium is like a worse version of Reser Stadium,” he stated, adding that the Cougars’ faithful need to “show out” in more meaningful games. He emphasized that for most stadiums, he prioritized ambience, but attendance factored into his assessment of Martin Stadium.

The Intangibles: What Makes a Great Stadium?

Bartlett articulated what elevates Husky Stadium to the top spot: “Washington is just the perfect mix of everything football. A passionate fanbase, a beautiful view, and decent enough weather.” He also pointed to the tradition of “sailgating” as a unique aspect of the Husky experience.

Beyond the grand venues, both writers appreciated subtle details. Bartlett lauded the track around Nevada’s Mackay Stadium and the end zone art at Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium, while also recognizing the dedicated fanbase at Colorado State’s Canvas Stadium, who consistently support a historically average team.

Ultimately, the rankings are a testament to the diverse and passionate college football landscape of the West. While opinions may differ, the debate underscores the importance of atmosphere, tradition, and the unwavering support of the fans in creating a truly memorable game-day experience.

Beyond the Gridiron: The Economic Impact of College Football Stadiums

the discussion between nick Bartlett and Stephen Vilardo offers a compelling look at the experience of attending a college football game. However, the conversation barely scratches the surface of another critical aspect: the economic impact of college football stadiums. These venues are not just places for sporting events-they are economic engines that drive significant financial activity within their respective communities. Let’s delve into how these stadiums affect local economies, building upon the themes of atmosphere, tradition, and the importance of fans.

Stadiums contribute to the local economy in several key ways:

• Job Creation: Game days require a significant workforce, including concession staff, security personnel, ticket takers, and parking attendants. This creates both full-time and part-time employment opportunities.
• Tourism and Hospitality: College football games attract visitors from out of town,boosting hotel occupancy rates,restaurant revenues,and retail sales. Some fans travel hundreds, even thousands, of miles.
• Local Business Revenue: Businesses near the stadium, such as bars, restaurants, and shops, experience a surge in customers on game days. Tailgating also supports local businesses, generating revenue from food and beverage sales. This has become an integral part of the gameday experience.
• Tax Revenue: Increased economic activity generates additional tax revenue for local governments, which can be used to fund public services.

Stadiums often undergo significant renovations and expansions, further adding to their effect on the local economy. The construction phase itself provides jobs and boosts commerce. The venues also host events beyond football, like concerts, which drive revenue for communities.

But are all stadiums equal when it comes to economic impact? Not necessarily. The “juice” Vilardo cites as lacking at Allegiant Stadium, for example, might translate to less economic activity as of a less vibrant fan base. The attendance at Martin Stadium (Washington State, Pullman) also underscores this point. A smaller, less engaged crowd can mean fewer dollars spent locally, compared to the consistently packed houses at Husky Stadium or Autzen Stadium. Those passionate fans contribute substantially to surrounding businesses.

What does this mean for the future? Beyond the aesthetics of the stadiums, the economic impact often becomes a significant factor in where teams build, how they renovate, and how they approach gameday.

Here are a few ways stadiums and communities can maximize the economic benefits of college football:

• Investing in Infrastructure: Improving roads, parking facilities, and public transportation can make it easier for fans to access games and support local businesses.
• Promoting Local Businesses: Encouraging local vendors to sell their products at games, providing opportunities to partner with caterers, and offering special promotions for game attendees can increase revenue.
• Expanding the Event Schedule: Hosting more events, such as concerts, community events, and other sporting competitions throughout the year, is an excellent approach.
• Focus on Fan Experience: Offering an engaging and enjoyable game-day experience keeps fans returning. A better experience encourages visitors to travel and spend money.

So, what does this mean for the future?

College football stadiums are not just venues for games but economic assets that drive significant revenue for their communities. The size of a stadium alone does not equal success, as fan engagement and surrounding local businesses greatly influence the economic impact. The importance of the fanbase is obvious (see: the passionate fanbase at Colorado State’s Canvas Stadium). From the construction phase to game day to hosting non-football events, these structures generate jobs, drive tourism, and boost local economies.

FAQs

How much economic impact do college football stadiums really have? Economic impact studies vary but often estimate tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue for local communities, depending on the size of the stadium, the team’s success, and the surrounding area.

Are there any downsides to the economic impact of stadiums? Yes, besides traffic and crowds, stadium construction can displace residents and businesses. Increased tourism may strain local resources, and game-day price gouging can occur. These are valid concerns that communities can mitigate with proper planning.

How does the team’s performance affect the stadium’s economic impact? Accomplished teams tend to draw larger crowds, boost merchandise sales, and create more excitement, positively impacting the local economy. Also, a good win-loss record boosts tourism.

Do all stadiums generate the same level of economic impact? No. Factors like stadium location, fan engagement, amenities, the team’s conference affiliation, and the surrounding community’s economic health influence the financial benefits a stadium brings.

What are examples of unique stadium impacts? at the University of Washington, the “sailgating” tradition around Husky Stadium adds a unique element to the fan experience that benefits local businesses.The setting of Air Force’s Falcon Stadium with mountain views provides a unique experience for game attendees.