It has been said that you haven’t experienced college football until you’ve spent a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
But when the writers of Stadium Journey Magazine created their list of the 101 top stadium experiences in the world, Death Valley was left off.
Assuming Tiger Stadium would be the world’s 102nd best stadium experience, LSU would still be behind 15 different college football stadiums, six Southeastern Conference football stadiums and a myriad of Minor League Baseball stadiums.
Only four stadiums on the list have a greater capacity than Tiger Stadium despite Death Valley being the 17th largest stadium in the world at over 92,000.
Tiger faithful can find some solace in the fact that Alex Box Stadium is the only college baseball stadium to make the list — not including No. 13 TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., home to the college world series — as The Box comes in at No. 70.
The magazine says the list was based of criteria of stadium food and beverage, overall atmosphere, surrounding neighborhood, fans, access outside and inside the stadium, return on investment and allows “bonus points” for unique features.
For the second consecutive year — the list has only existed for two years — the Indianapolis Colts’ home turf in Lucas Oil Stadium reigns supreme in stadium experience.
Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium is the highest ranked college football stadium, taking the No. 8 spot.
The distinction of college football is necessary, however, because the Compton Family Ice Arena comes in at No. 3 as the home to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team.
No. 20 Notre Dame Stadium, No. 22 Michigan Stadium, No. 25 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida), and No. 28 Donald W Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Arkansas) round out the top five college football stadiums.
The Rose Bowl, one of the most historic stadiums in the world, was No. 39, while Dallas Cowboy Stadium landed at No. 35.
Other notable snubs include London’s Wembley Stadium, Churchill Downs ( home of the Kentucky Derby), the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Ohio State’s Ohio Stadium.
