2024’s Best Places to Watch a College Football Game
From Athens to State College and everywhere in between, here are some of our must-visit stadiums
Posted On: August 26, 2024 By :College football season looks different than ever before after two years of realignment frenzy. With the Pac-12 Conference all but disbanded and mega-conferences stretching from coast to coast, SportsTravel is taking a different approach this fall. With a massive season about to get underway, we’ve picked out a series of destinations that would be great for a weekend road trip.
Athens, Georgia
Sanford Stadium, Capacity 92,746
Success? The Bulldogs have plenty of that in recent years, having won two national titles in the past three years. History of success? The Bulldogs have that too thanks to the three-year stretch of Herschel Walker in the early 1980s. The home of the Dawgs is between the hedges, Uga patrolling the sidelines and one of the best small-town atmospheres on any weekend in the South.
Games of Note: October 5 vs. Auburn; November 16 vs. Tennessee
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Michigan Stadium, Capacity 107,601
It’s called “The Big House” for a reason. The biggest college football stadium in the U.S. is home to rabid Wolverines — fans that is. Game day is huge for the city’s economy, from restaurants to downtown businesses. Coming off a national championship and with a marquee home game against Texas, Ann Arbor is one of the epicenters of the sport.
Games of Note: September 7 vs. Texas, September 21 vs. USC; October 26 vs. Michigan State
Blacksburg, Virginia
Lane Stadium, Capacity 65,000
Make sure to be in your seat early, as the Virginia Tech team entrance is one of the greatest traditions in college football. Half the crowd bellows “Let’s Go!” with the other side responding “Hokies!” before “Enter Sandman” hits and sends the crowd into a jumping frenzy. The city of Blacksburg is a perfect place for a fall vacation, with friendly locals, temperate weather and great food.
Games of Note: November 9 vs. Clemson; November 30 vs. Virginia
Boulder, Colorado
Folsom Field, Capacity 50,183
The arrival of Deion Sanders as head coach last season took the Buffaloes from irrelevant to immediately interesting. And the white-hot interest in the team has made Folsom Field one of the more intriguing places to watch a game. It’s always been one of the most beautiful places to watch football with views of the Flatirons in the distance. But the combination of limited supply and intense demand has sent ticket prices skyrocketing. Add in the tradition of Ralphie the Buffalo making her run on the field and a return to CU’s historic rivals in the Big 12 this season and you have a recipe for a must-see experience.
Games of Note: September 21 vs. Baylor; November 16 vs. Utah
Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, is the home of the Buffaloes and Ralphie’s Run before each home game. Photo by Jason Gewirtz/SportsTravel
College Station, Texas
Kyle Field, Capacity 102,733
Kyle Field, home to Texas A&M University, is one of those stadiums whose size is hard to comprehend. With a capacity of 102,733, it sits just behind Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State in official seating capacity. But the experience at Kyle Field is second to none. Come for the game, but stay for the military-style marching band, whose formations are as tight and unique as you’ll ever see. If you want to grab a bite at halftime, you’re best served making a run in the second quarter so you don’t miss the band. They are that good.
Games of Note: August 31 vs. Notre Dame,;November 30 vs. Texas
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Falcon Stadium, Capacity 46,692
The experience at Falcon Stadium, home of the Air Force Academy, is one worth having. Games at the military academies automatically have a different feel. Adding to the excitement this year at Air Force, however, are new options at the entry to the academy itself. A new and improved visitor center will open at the Academy’s north entry gate this year. And across from the new visitor center will be the new Hotel Polaris opening this fall, whose top-floor bar and restaurant will offer one of the most stunning views of the Rocky Mountains you can find, as well as flight simulators that will make you feel like a cadet in training.
Games of Note: October 5 vs. Navy; October 19 vs. Colorado State
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Stadium, Capacity 102,780
Since opening in 1922, the Horseshoe has had an estimated 40 million fans come through at one point or another, so the Ohio State University must be on to something. While the team has been among the elite for years, so is its marching band. Watching someone “dot the i” has become a tradition as well. Columbus itself is worth the road trip with so much activity being generated downtown in recent years in the Arena District, which includes Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park and Lower.com Field. But make no mistake about it: The Buckeyes rule when college football season rolls around and this year should be no exception.
Games of Note: October 26 vs. Nebraska; November 30 vs. Michigan
Dallas, Texas
Cotton Bowl Stadium, Capacity 92,100
The Cotton Bowl Stadium doesn’t see as much use as it once did, but the 74-year-old venue still hosts one of the biggest college football rivalries each October when Oklahoma and Texas clash in the Red River Rivalry. The neutral site matchup is one of the loudest and fiercest in the sport, with half the stadium clad in crimson and the other half in burnt orange. The tailgate scene is as good as it gets in college football, as the game is held in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas. Accordingly, the Cotton Bowl also hosts the State Fair Classic each season, featuring two HBCU teams.
Games of Note: September 28, Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling; October 12, Oklahoma vs. Texas
Gainesville, Florida
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Capacity 88,548
The Steve Spurrier era is where the mystique of “The Swamp” was truly born and the era of Tim Tebow and others only emphasized it more. The Swamp is an apt metaphor for the home of the Gators with the early-season heat plus humidity making every day game feel like a challenge to get through. We’d say be sure to hydrate, but this is college football in the South: hydrating before a game may carry a different definition.
Games of note: August 31 vs. Miami; November 23 vs. Ole Miss
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargodome, Capacity 18,700
This may be the smallest venue on the list, as well as the only indoor facility, but don’t be fooled by either of those facts. The Fargodome has seen some of the loudest crowds in recorded college football history, hitting 115 decibels during a game in 2013. Home to the FCS North Dakota State Bison — 17-time national champions — the Fargodome provides a massive homefield advantage. The Bison are 183–28 overall and 35–1 in playoff games in the venue. While you’re in town, visit the Roger Maris Museum to see some baseball history.
Games of Note: October 5 vs. North Dakota; October 19 vs. South Dakota State
Knoxville, Tennessee
Neyland Stadium, Capacity 101,915
Prepare to descend into a sea of orange. Neyland Stadium is one of the heavyweights when it comes to seating capacity but it’s also a heavyweight when it comes to the fan experience. You can start with Smokey, one of the most beloved figures in the state, who leads the team into the Giant “T” formation made by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band before each game. And the white and orange checkerboard pattern dates as far back as 1921 and the completion of Ayers Hall on campus, whose clock tower is topped by the pattern in brick. Recently announced updates will include upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium.
Games of Note: October 19 vs. Alabama; November 2 vs. Kentucky
Pasadena, California
Rose Bowl Stadium, Capacity 96,400
Keith Jackson’s legendary voice calling the Rose Bowl “The Granddaddy of Them All” sums up the experience at one of the world’s most famous venues. SportsTravel was lucky enough to make two trips to the 102-year-old Rose Bowl Stadium last year — for the last regular season Pac-12 game, and the College Football Playoff matchup between Michigan and Alabama. Seeing the sun set behind the mountains at the Rose Bowl is an iconic college football experience. And the perfect weather year-round doesn’t hurt either.
Games of Note: September 28, UCLA vs. Oregon; November 25, UCLA vs. USC; Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2025
The Rose Bowl is home to some of the best bowl games in postseason history and hosted another classic on New Year’s Day 2024 when Michigan beat Alabama in overtime in the CFP semifinals. Photo by Justin Shaw/SportsTravel
Seattle, Washington
Husky Stadium, Capacity 70,138
The home of the Washington Huskies will feel different this year with new conference foes coming into town, although there will still be a few familiar faces in USC and UCLA, who are all joining the new-look Big Ten. Not only is the open-air stadium one of the more unique looking venues in college football with its one open end looking out onto the water, but Husky Stadium is also home to one of the best tailgate traditions around with boats by the dozen either docking at the shore or dropping anchor and having fans brought in by tender boats.
Games of Note: October 5 vs. Michigan; November 2 vs. USC; November 15 vs. UCLA
South Bend, Indiana
Notre Dame Stadium, Capacity 80,795
The crisp air of South Bend on a fall Saturday, with the leaves changing colors all around, is an elite atmosphere for college football. Touchdown Jesus watches over the historic venue, which underwent a $400 million renovation in 2018 and will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025. Be sure to check out the pep rally the night before each home game, which includes the Notre Dame Drumline performing their traditional Drummers’ Circle at midnight on campus. South Bend’s charm is a blend of major college football with a small-town feel.
Games of Note: October 12 vs. Stanford; November 9 vs. Florida State
State College, Pennsylvania
Beaver Stadium, Capacity 106,572
On game days, the little hamlet of State College turns into one of the biggest cities in Pennsylvania. At both ends of the state, there are few things that unite all people in the commonwealth like Nittany Lion football. The stadium itself has expanded continually over the decades to meet demand and has a full renovation coming in the near future. The “White Out” games are held back for the biggest visiting opponent to be one of the loudest crowds in college football.
Games of Note: October 5 vs. UCLA; November 2 vs. Ohio State