http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/bpkarl70.jpg

http://www.utdallas.edu/~jbt015000/albums/Rangers0722/Ameriquest_field_section326.jpg

best pic of exterior I could hope he doesn't mind
http://www.cecs.uci.edu/~dongwans/images/sp_texas01.jpg

I've got to admit Ameriquest Field is pretty sweet.

It is pretty sweet. Just out of place. Should've been in the Farmers Market area of downtown Dallas.

It's probably the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas.
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/texas/san_antonio_alamodome1.jpg
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/texas/san_antonio_alamodome2.jpg
It's rather plain stadium. It's used for a collegiate bowl game and maybe a NFL game now and then. I have a suspicion that the Saints will call San Antonio home for 2005.

^thats a possibility.. but how about the Astrodome.. i dont think its used for anything since the reliant stadium and minutemaid park opened..

actually they already announced that there first game will be at the alamo (only because lsu's facilities will be in use, and the rest at lsu

^thats a possibility.. but how about the Astrodome.. i dont think its used for anything since the reliant stadium and minutemaid park opened..

i dont think the NFL would double book a city for many reasons, especially since the saints have already played once (right?) in san antonio and have been making inclinations about going there 4 good.

They might as well move them there for now.

Now they are sending refugees to the Alamodome as well.

What they should do is play their 'home' matches at the 'visiting' teams home stadium that is scheduled on this seasons fixture.

This way you will have supporters of one of the clubs competing rocking up at least, rather than just neutral fans who have no natural affinity with the Saints.

Found an interesting article about the Superdome and the Astrodome, and how they were once revoloutionary stadiums.

Obsolete Stadium Is Now Serving a Tragic Purpose

By Thomas Heath
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 1, 2005; Page A18

The announcement yesterday that as many as 23,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees will be bused from the New Orleans Superdome to the Astrodome in Houston focused the spotlight on a pair of buildings once viewed as engineering marvels that have been turned into relics by the fast-changing economics of the sports world they helped to revolutionize.

The Astrodome, which opened in 1965, and Superdome, which opened in 1975, are national and local icons, identified with Houston and New Orleans as much as the Golden Gate Bridge is with San Francisco and the Empire State Building with New York. They ushered in a period of domed multi-sport facilities, introducing fans to AstroTurf, luxury suites and climate-controlled sporting events.

"They are the super-daddies of their times," said Janet Marie Smith, who helped design Oriole Park at Camden Yards and now works for the Boston Red Sox. "Most of their sister facilities of that era, the era of multipurpose stadiums, are gone. Clearly there is structural stability to them. The question is whether or not there is an economic life for them. What a curious way for us to be forced to explore their future than through this natural disaster."

Because of their size, strength and spaciousness, stadiums are a logical haven in disasters. The Ford Center and the Cox Business Services Convention Center (formerly the Myriad) in Oklahoma City are designated as tornado shelters. Giants Stadium in New Jersey and Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y., were used as staging areas in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City. The Superdome provided refuge from Hurricane Georges in 1998 and Hurricane Ivan last year. Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego was used as an evacuation site during the Southern California wildfires of 2003.

But the structures have outlived their everyday sports usefulness. Over the last decade, most teams have moved away from the impersonal, multipurpose facilities of the 1960s and 1970s, preferring single-purpose stadiums such as Oriole Park and FedEx Field that can be tailored to the demands of one sport and adorned with fancy suites and club seats that generate more revenue.

"The economics of sports has passed" the Astrodome and Superdome by, said Matthys Levy, chairman of Weidlinger Associates, a New York-based engineering firm, and designer of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The Astrodome cost $35 million to build and opened in 1965 as the first major roofed sports stadium. It was billed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by Judge Roy Hofheinz, then the owner of baseball's Houston Astros, and included about 45,000 seats, 53 skyboxes and a $2 million scoreboard. It was home to the Astros and football's Houston Oilers.

The roof was initially made of clear panels to allow sunlight to reach a grass field, but baseball players couldn't spot fly balls against the ceiling and the panels were painted, forcing the introduction of plastic grass -- AstroTurf. In 2000, the Astros moved to Minute Maid Park, a $250 million stadium with a retractable roof. The Oilers left for Tennessee after the 1996 season, and the city's current NFL team, the Texans, plays in Reliant Stadium, which sits next to the Astrodome.

Though the building hosted the 1992 Republican Convention and Billie Jean King's "Battle of the Sexes" tennis victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973, it is now an afterthought -- hosting the occasional rodeo, corporate softball game, even a bar mitzvah -- that costs about $1.5 million annually for upkeep.

The Superdome, built at a cost of $134 million, opened in 1975 and seats 72,968 for its only major tenant, the NFL's Saints (the NBA's Jazz left for Utah after the 1979 season). It has 137 luxury suites and more than 14,000 club seats. The Superdome has hosted seven Super Bowls and four NCAA Final Four men's basketball tournaments, helping turn New Orleans into a premier destination for major sports events.

That may not last, however. The Saints would like the state to modernize the Superdome or build a new, $600 million riverfront stadium.

And I know I am in the minority, but I don't care, I miss these places.

Maybe it is because I grew up with these facilities being the norm, but I miss places like the Astrodome, Kingdome, northern bowl stadiums, and other 60's and 70's era multipurpose stadiums.

I don't care if the places are "bland", "boring" or whatever, I would take these places any day over the retro copycats that currently are being built in baseball and modern corporate suite laden football stadiums that exist today.

These places were practical. They could hold baseball games, football games, concerts, rodeos, conventions, and as we see today, evacuees from disasters.

Stadiums from the 70's, that could of lasted another 100 years, were demolished to make way for a bunch of overly designed, fancy yuppie infested moneypits that couldn't do one tenth the 70's facilities could.

If these two domes stadiums weren't there, where would these evacuees be held? They damn sure couldn't use the modern 21st century sports facilities.

To be honest, using separate stadiums for baseball and football just seems stupid to me. Now if the owners want to build these places with their own money, than by all means, they can go ahead. But for taxpayers to pay for all these new ballparks to be build when there are perfectally good places in which to play bugs the hell out of me. There is so much better things that the money could be spent for.

is the superdome going to be destroyed by the floods?

is the superdome going to be destroyed by the floods?


No, it will be fine.

But in time it was due to come down anyway as the Saints owner was pushing the city for a brand new 600 million dollar stadium. The type of place that isn't necessary.

With the events that just took place, I wonder if people will be so quick to call for it's demolition.

i thinkj theres more imortant things now to worry about...

It should be at LSU

If these two domes stadiums weren't there, where would these evacuees be held? They damn sure couldn't use the modern 21st century sports facilities.



What about Reliant?

I like multipurpose stadiums too. But for something like Rogers Center (né SkyDome), it has less of an intimate feeling, because it's not purpose-built for football, for baseball, or for concerts. And that makes the atmosphere feel a little bit lacking.

I didn't hear that their other games would be at LSU. That's good to keep it in the state. Lots of cities are looking at the Saints with theirs mouths watering I think (San Antonio, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Orlando, etc.).

can they even be afford to be taken down
i mean is this the only choice
i did not realise they were in such decline ?

Hopefully they will play at the Alomo Dome. It's a shame that San Antonio built aa huge new stadium and nobody ever plays there.

They shouldnt use LSU's stadium for many reasons:

1. It is a college stadium and doesnt even meet NFL Standards
2. There is a much better stadium in San Antonio
3. LSU football will already be using the stadium on saturdays and the field will be torn up by sunday and not to mention the LSU logo's all over the place.

MSG, in NYC, was built before the the 70's, but it does serve as multipurpose as well, which why it is called the "World's Famous Arena" for that matter.

We've heard a lot about the Saints, but what about the Hornets? I've read at SSC that Vancouver is being thought of, and Oklahoma City has offered its college stadium as well.

MSG, in NYC, was built before the the 70's, but it does serve as multipurpose as well, which why it is called the "World's Famous Arena" for that matter.

What are you talking about? Sports arenas have always been multipurpose facilities. We're talking about stadiums here, not smaller arenas like MSG.

What they should do is play their 'home' matches at the 'visiting' teams home stadium that is scheduled on this seasons fixture.

This way you will have supporters of one of the clubs competing rocking up at least, rather than just neutral fans who have no natural affinity with the Saints.

Obviously you don't watch sports :| Making them the away team the whole year, not going to happen...

They should play in cities without NFL teams, and that could double as a fundraising tour as well. With a large percentage of gate revenue (or all of it) going to the relief effort and rebuilding.
The NFL would probably have to subsidize the Saints heavily, but it would be an exciting way to get people to donate.

Seems like the Reliant Stadium is ready for the Saints too, if needed. Probably not the best solution though. Having it at LSU would be best, but college stadia and NFL stadia are just in totally different leagues when it comes to facilities etc. (I'm talking about bleachers vs. chairbacks, stuff like that). I don't know if that's gonna be a problem. If I'd be a student to LSU, I'd be psyched to have the Saints come play at my place ;)

I really Hope they decide to stay here in San Antonio for the season! Id think theyd do fine! Not to mention im sure people down here would become fans! Not to mention we already have other 10,000 From New Orleans and are expected to get upwards of 25,000. Im sure they could arrange a program to get those people over the the Alamodome for games along with us locals. Im sure the Saints and people from New Orleans would be very grateful to be reunited... and it would also give them something to look forward too and get away from it all.

No, having them play all road games would devastate the team. Look at the Expos' last couple of seasons, when they played half their "home" games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and their record was abyssmal, when compared to their home games in Montréal.

hometown bias, here we come!

I dunno if theres a better way to enter a baseball stadium...
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/m/b/mbs195/BballTrip_files/ComericaPark1.JPG

http://www.detnews.com/2000/tigers/wallpaper/5.jpg

http://www.detnews.com/2000/tigers/wallpaper/800/4.jpg

http://danielleodette.com/images/detroit/comerica%20park%20wide.JPG

http://tinyurl.com/798bn

http://www.paulruschmann.com/images/comerica_scoreboard_1.jpg

http://www.drinkingbird.org/tigers/2000/0411/bigflag.JPG

*we dont sell out very often though. we've sucked ass for about 15 years straight

*theres is no more than a handful of seats where you cant see the whole field. no bad seats the the house

*you really gotta be there to appreciate it

^ Just next to Pittsburgh in the skyline view catergory

When the Almadome was originally built, it was so that San Antonio would have an NFL franchise, which it never got.

The Saints are putting in a formal request to have all the rest of their home games at the Alamodome.

After seeing the All-Star game there, I became much more of a fan of Comerica. I guess I never paid much attention to it. Really really like it. Great detail in the metal work and great combination of rounded and squared off seating areas.

From CNN:
Katrina Aftermath (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/06/katrina.impact/index.html)
:eek2:

Just one more thing New Orleans will have to get to eventually rebuilding, so i guess in the end it will be the nice for the city to have a new stadium.

^ I think they should move the whole city.

We're at the beginning of a 30-40 year hurricane cycle, global warming is causing sea levels to rise...

There's just no way the city is going to last. New Orleans will have to be moved, probably in our lifetimes.

If it is damaged it must be demolished and built a new and modern stadium.

^ I think they should move the whole city.

We're at the beginning of a 30-40 year hurricane cycle, global warming is causing sea levels to rise...

There's just no way the city is going to last. New Orleans will have to be moved, probably in our lifetimes.

Strange but from the video footage of the suburbs of New Orleans all the houses are at ground level. I would have thought that in such a place many of the homes would be on stilts to avoide such problems. In Queensland, Australia where we have similar conditions in many of our towns all our houses and infrastructure is on stilts or up high out of waters harm. Things like Traffic light signal boxes are up high on posts out of the way of flood waters. When floods come we just roll up carpets, move cars and head upstairs in most cases.

Cities and entire communities can be flood proofed. Many parts of Asia are the same - some do it every year the monsoon comes.

New Orleans can go on things just have to be changed to cope with floods occuring.

This is the kind of housing New Orleans should have, this is typical of the housing in low lying areas up and down the Queensland Coast. When the water comes up its easy just to move everything up into the house - sometimes for an extended period. In summer monsoons your home can be surrounded by deep water for weeks but life goes on as it should in New Orleans.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9441/102639441ml1125874068.jpg

In many beach communities houses are built on stilts, I don't know why that wasn't the case in New Orleans.

those beach communities are above sea level. NO is below sea level. And they will likely not get a new stadium as the Saints will probably move. It was already a dicey situation to keep them in NO without Superdome renovations or a new stadium. Now it would be years to get a new stadium, plus the uncertainty of whether NO can host an NFL team in the coming years.

If I was the Saints, I'd relocate to New York City.

They have 2 teams there who have waiting lists for season tickets. So I'd bung in the Saints into the Bronx or Brooklyn, maybe even Manhatten.

Can the Jets and Giants do much to stop them moving to the Big Apple?

If I was the Saints, I'd relocate to New York City.

They have 2 teams there who have waiting lists for season tickets. So I'd bung in the Saints into the Bronx or Brooklyn, maybe even Manhatten.

Can the Jets and Giants do much to stop them moving to the Big Apple?

The Jets have been trying to move into Manhatten for years, it won't happen

Greater New York has something like 15 odd million people(probably more). They have plenty of room for another club in the area. The region is screaming for another football club.

With potential waiting lists for season tickets, as a pure business proposal I'd be looking to move the side up there and put a team on the eastern side of the city as the Jets and Giants are to the west in Jersey.

It was a place of sanctuary that turned into a place of death, fear, anxiety and despair. How could they ever play another game of competative sport in such an arena ever again?

It was a place of sanctuary that turned into a place of death, fear, anxiety and despair. How could they ever play another game of competative sport in such an arena ever again?

O THE HORROR!!!!

hahaha.... no, don't worry, I am not trying to start a US vs. the world thing going on. but sure, why not, let's bring back FIFA. that is a good idea, the US needs it.

I just mean to emphasize that many Americans do not appreciate many sports. Any sport is worthwhile, I am just saying that you have a very narrow view about what sport really is.



Huh? Why does the U.S. "need FIFA"? That is so patronizing. Are football/soccer fans so insecure about their game they need to try to push it down Americans throats? Americans are exposed to football!!!!! They vote with their feet. We are much more exposed to football here then Europeans are to hockey, basketball, la crosse, or baseball.

If Americans want to make soccer its number one sport then great. If not then its OKKKKKK. Europeans (and espeically Britts) don't have to be so insecure about Yanks not "getting it".

The U.S. is more well rounded then any European country in relation to its sports. Tell me another country where four differant sports leagues regularly draw 20,000-70,000 for its games and has up to 120 teams whos value is worth over 100 million dollars.

In Europe there is ONE major sport and every other sport is a good distance behind at best. And the U.S. has a very narrow idea of "what sports is about". What a load.

I think its Europeans (and the Britts specifically) who need to be exposed to more games from the outside world.

And for our European friends, it seems as if the roof covers mostly all of the seats..



LMAO...So true.


This stadium does look incrediable. Hopefully no matter where the A's end up putting this stadium (in Oakland or another city) they keep the design. It looks awesome.

at least we play sports that have a global following and we can have proper internationals...not like the world series of US baseball teams lol

oh and we are all very much exposed to hockey....we play it at school on fields

Good Choice NYC! (http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/07/sports/OLY.php)

I bet millions of New Yorkers are overwhelmingly sighing releif at the ridiculous notion of an olympics in the City. WTF does New York have to prove to the world, which is the top, or one of the top 2 or 3 world class cities on the planet. London and Paris should follow suit. The olympics are dead as dead and a monumental waste of money. Let Mozambique host it for the next century, who fucking cares?

Only thing that sucks is that the New York Jets wont get their new stadium on the West Side.

I don't see the point of developed countries hosting the olympics anymore. Let the poor countries rush to build their infrastructure in order to showcase the olympics and their country. I honestly don't care about the olympics anymore either. The last one I cared about was the 1996 olympics in Atlanta. Also remember the 1992 ones for some reason.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/08/sports/othersports/08olympics.html
New York Mum as Los Angeles Says It Will Bid on 2016 Games

By LYNN ZINSER
Published: September 8, 2005
A Los Angeles group declared its intention yesterday to bid for the 2016 Olympics, but the future of a potential New York bid remained far from clear two months after the city's failed attempt to land the 2012 Games.

The United States Olympic Committee has not announced its timetable for selecting an American bid city for 2016, but a committee led by Barry Sanders, a lawyer, and backed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles unofficially kicked off the bidding season with its announcement.

"This is a city with so many obvious attributes, because of what kind of city it is, the climate, the spirit of the city," Sanders said in a telephone interview. "We think Los Angeles was made for the Olympic Games."

Since New York lost a five-city race for the 2012 Games in July, when London won the vote by members of the International Olympic Committee, city officials have not rushed to embrace another run for 2016. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has put off any serious consideration of another bid until after the November election. He emphasized during the 2012 process that New York could not guarantee it would return for another bid.

When Bloomberg has addressed the topic recently, he has said that the city would probably need to find another bid leader willing to spend the time and raise the money necessary because he doubted that Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff, the 2012 bid leader, would continue in the role.

Doctoroff, who said yesterday that he did not want to comment on his future role, spent 11 years and said he raised about $35 million in private donations for the 2012 bid.

That does not mean other officials from the 2012 group could not revive the bid, which has been discussed among some of the board members.

The U.S.O.C. will give them plenty of time to consider the options. At a meeting Saturday in Denver, the committee will discuss how to choose the next American bid city. It is a process that officials have promised will be different from the one that gave New York the nod over San Francisco in 2002, because the U.S.O.C. has reorganized. In 2002, the committee's 123-member board voted on a winner. Now, the committee's board has been reduced to 11 members.

Some of the changes will also be a response to problems in the 2012 process. There was friction between the U.S.O.C. and NYC2012 over the bid's reliance on the West Side Stadium plan, which was rejected by New York State officials only a month before the I.O.C. vote, becoming a major factor in the bid's defeat.

The U.S.O.C. has vowed to institute a rigorous set of selection criteria to choose the next city, including an emphasis on having facilities approved long before the I.O.C. selection.

But those criteria are not likely to be determined until this fall, when cities will be offered the chance to apply. A winner is likely to be chosen by 2007 for the I.O.C. selection process, which will end in 2009.

The Los Angeles group's eagerness to bid comes as no surprise. The city failed to make the list of finalists the U.S.O.C. considered in 2002, but it has long sent signals that it would return for the 2016 race.

Sanders has a long history of involvement with Olympic sports, including serving as general counsel to the organizing committee of the 1984 Los Angeles Games, which was led by the U.S.O.C.'s current chairman, Peter Ueberroth.

Ueberroth, though, has no role with Sanders's group, a U.S.O.C. spokesman, Darryl Seibel, said. And Sanders said he was not relying on his long association with Ueberroth.

"He would not let us compromise his integrity, and we would not attempt to," Sanders said. "We not are advised at all by Peter Ueberroth."

Sanders emphasized that Los Angeles offered an extensive array of existing facilities, including the same Coliseum that was used in the 1932 and 1984 Games for the opening and closing ceremonies and for track and field.

It remains to be seen whether Los Angeles's experience as an Olympic host will be a positive or a negative to the I.O.C. Sanders says that the selection of London as the site of an Olympics for a third time signals that the I.O.C. is not reluctant to tread on old ground.

Los Angeles is the only American city to play host for a Summer Olympics more than once. Part of New York's unsuccessful pitch for 2012 was that it had never been the host for the Olympics and would help break new ground for the Games.

oh and we are all very much exposed to hockey....we play it at school on fields



In the U.S. women play "field hockey". To each is own though.

at least we play sports that have a global following and we can have proper internationals...not like the world series of US baseball teams lol



I can see you are big into the sheep factor. Like people should care that India came to like a game because you colonized it for over 200 years!!!!

And baseball doesn't have a "global following"? Check yourself my friend. Baseball is the first sport in Japan, U.S., Taiwan, Korea, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and a 1A or #2 sport in a host of others.

How many teams differant sports does the UK average 20-70k in attendance every year? In hockey and basketball in the U.S. attendance often is 15-20,000. And baseball (which is 162 games a year) often is 35,000 a year and football averages around 70,000 a year. Plus we have professional la crosse and "soccer" leagues as well that do pretty well.

So spare me that Britts are more "diversified" and appreciate sports better nonsense.

I dont see the reason for olympics 2016 in USA.They hosted the games a lot of times but tha 1996 was a catastrophe..

I dont see the reason for olympics 2016 in USA.They hosted the games a lot of times but tha 1996 was a disaster..

@Tootshibbard: Europeans are more well rounded with sports than Americans. This is coming from me a person who has lived in both Europe and the U.S.

Many sports including basketball, F-1 Racing, football(soccer), water polo, athletics, Ice Hockey, Rugby, and Field Hockey are very popular throughout Europe. The reason why there arent 70,000 seat stadiums everywhere are because no country in Europe has even close to the population of the US and it wouldnt make sense to have huge stadiums that would never get filled.

European sports and sport competitions such as the Champions League football(soccer tournament) along with the European football(soccer) Championships are very popular throughout the world. Not to mention European soccer fans are far and away the best fans of any sport in the world.

I love many US sports. I am an avid Washington Redskins, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and Washington Nationals fan but overall I accept that most sports in the US such as NFL Football, NASCAR, Baseball arent extremly popular outside of it.

The only sport which is popular in both the US and the world is the NBA which is watched all around the world. I remember going to my uncle's house in Athens, Greece a few years ago and he had a big gathering to watch the first game of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Nets. Keep in mind my uncle and most of the people in that room had never even been to the US but still loved the NBA since it is popular in Europe.

In Europe there is ONE major sport and every other sport is a good distance behind at best. And the U.S. has a very narrow idea of "what sports is about". What a load.

I think its Europeans (and the Britts specifically) who need to be exposed to more games from the outside world.

You have obviosuly not heard of Rugby League, Rugby Union (six nations etc), Cricket (the Ashes series that is taking place at this very moment is off the chart fan wise in the UK at the moment).

I am pretty sure that basketball is very popular in Italy and the Baltic states and Ice Hockey extremely popular in many Northern European countries.

There was a tiny rumor that the Saints would play at the LA Coliseum. But I think that now they will play at the Medowlands.

[QUOTE=Zorba]@Tootshibbard: Europeans are more well rounded with sports than Americans. This is coming from me a person who has lived in both Europe and the U.S.

Sorry, this proves nothing.


Many sports including basketball, F-1 Racing, football(soccer), water polo, athletics, Ice Hockey, Rugby, and Field Hockey are very popular throughout Europe.

Tell me any other place in Europe where different countries and cities draw as many spectators to as many different sports as the U.S. does. You can't. Rugby if very popular (and that is a relative term) in the countries by my count. Field Hockey? Are you serious? Can field hockey get anywhere near 10,000 a game on a regular basis? Same with water polo. Now hockey is played with regularity in the Nordic and some eastern European countries but it is still a pretty minor sports in any of the western European countries outside the Nordic countries.




The reason why there aren't 70,000 seat stadiums everywhere are because no country in Europe has even close to the population of the US and it wouldn't make sense to have huge stadiums that would never get filled.

If rugby was so popular in Europe as you claim why can't they find enough places to draw 30 or 40 k on a regular basis there?


European sports and sport competitions such as the Champions League football (soccer tournament) along with the European football(soccer) Championships are very popular throughout the world. Not to mention European soccer fans are far and away the best fans of any sport in the world.


Of course they are popular around the world. Soccer is the widely played and watched sport in the world. How does this at all prove anything about sports diversity?
And the "European soccer fans are the best fans of any sports" smacks of such provinciality and homerism that it does not even deserve a reply. Never mind how that is PROVABLE in any objective way. I KNOW we could go back and forth about the dumbness/merritts of that comment but the bottom line it is very provincial an ignorant stream of thought best to come out of a 12 years mouth then a grown adult who is "so well traveled".



I love many US sports. I am an avid Washington Redskins, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and Washington Nationals fan but overall I accept that most sports in the US such as NFL Football, NASCAR, Baseball arent extremly popular outside of it.


The insecurity of some Europeans (especially some Britts) is beyond the pale. The fact that Amerians aren't sheep and follow Britt sports seems to bring out the most insecure in them. You are wrong about baseball. It is the FIRST sport of over 500 million people!!!!!! Far many more people play baseball then "rugby". And the reason why crickets numbers are so inflated is because you include over one billion people on the India. The widespead "popularity" of a sport is no way indicittive to me of how great a sport it is. By many measures then figure skaing would be consdiered a very popular sport but give me La Cross any day of the week.

You have obviosuly not heard of Rugby League, Rugby Union (six nations etc), Cricket (the Ashes series that is taking place at this very moment is off the chart fan wise in the UK at the moment).

I am pretty sure that basketball is very popular in Italy and the Baltic states and Ice Hockey extremely popular in many Northern European countries.


Yea I have heard of all of those thank you very much. Still which one even comes in the same zip code as European football in terms of tv ratings and average fan attendance? In the U.S. you have four mainline sports that do VERY well and other sports that do well (La crosse, soccer). As much as you talk about these other 2nd tier sports in those countries it doesn't do anything to prove that Europeans are very football centric and undiversified.

If rugby was so popular in Europe as you claim why can't they find enough places to draw 30 or 40 k on a regular basis there?

Twickenham, Murrayfield, Millenium, Stade de France and Landsdowne all spring to mind.

Why don't teams pull 30-40k? Well, mainly because there are so many teams. France (60M) has 30, the Celtic League (13M) has 11, England(50M) has 26. And thats just Rugby Union. So there's 67 professional Union teams for 113M people. Plus the hundreds if not thousands of semi-pro/amateur clubs.

Then theres internationals which are very well supported. Tickets in the 6N are like gold dust in London, Dublin, Edinburgh and especially Cardiff. I doubt if any games have failed to sell out for 20 years. Possibly in Italy but they're an emerging nation.

Even places like Georgia can pull 60k plus for internationals.

Oh, and theres Rugby League too.

O THE HORROR!!!!
But he's right though. That probably played a huge part in there decision to close the dome.

Hold up the Superdome got some roof damage and they want to tear it down i think this is a fake rumor the roof can be easily replaced and its structually sound and everything so wtf?

It should be destroyed and redesigned. I'd feel icky playing on a field or stadium that was home to so many horrors. And the Saints won't be moving anywhere anytime soon, as much as you'd like to think. Hearing the team players and staff you can tell that they'd want to continue playing in New Orleans, except it isn't possible for the time being.

Hold up the Superdome got some roof damage and they want to tear it down i think this is a fake rumor the roof can be easily replaced and its structually sound and everything so wtf?

There was much more than just some roof damage. The huge amount of water leaking in, flood damage and human contamination will probably render it condemned. Therefore unusable. Therefore needing to be torn down. This has been officially repeated multiple times. Not a rumor.

if it's irrepairable it should be replaced...

....to see the Buckeyes fall to the Longhorns in an epic battle. This is why we love college football so much

Ohio Stadium filled with 105,565 people
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/CO108091023_1024x768.jpg


The game
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/gettyimages/photos/55111471HH013_Texas_OhioSt091101_1024x768.jpg
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/CO113091102_1024x768.jpg
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/CO117091102_1024x768.jpg
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/CO116091103_1024x768.jpg
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/gettyimages/photos/55111471HH018_Texas_OhioSt091100_1024x768.jpg
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/gettyimages/photos/55111471HH019_Texas_OhioSt091101_1024x768.jpg
http://images2.sportsline.com/u/gettyimages/photos/55111471HH008_Texas_OhioSt091023_1024x768.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/hornsrock/DSCF0032.jpg

Love that stadium pic. The blokes running about wearing helmets are not quite so interesting though to be honest. ;)

When my Red Raiders visit Austin, prepare for an ass beating

A very impressing attendance.

LOL. All those Ohio St. fans went to see the game and Ohio State lost. :hilarious

BTW I think that college sports have a much better atmosphere than pro sports. The fans are a lot better since they are devoted to the school and not individual players and the players arent playing for money but for a trip to a bowl game/ trip to the NCAA tournament(for basketball) and a shot at the pro's.

Nothing like college sports. Expecially college basketball which IMO is a million times better than the NBA.

GO TERPS!!
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/md/graphics/Fear-the-Turtle-150x220.jpg

Where's the roof?

:jk:

Yes, it alright when it's sunny and warm, but what about when it's raining cat's and dogs with a stiff wind blowing ;)

Nice photos rantanamo.

Is it an all seater stadium? Individual seats rather than benches? if so that is quite impressive.

Its benches as are most college football stadiums. Still an absolutely huge stadium, and like all US stadiums, has a minimum width for each "seat" according to firecode.

gameday

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/eflow24/Sept2005093.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/279/218/1600/DSC01013%20%28Small%29.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/279/218/1600/DSC01014%20%28Small%29.jpg

Hook 'em, baby!

more pics of gameday ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/OSU.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/OSU2.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/OSU3.jpg

HAHAHAHAHA

THE CHEATING BASTARDS LOST

Michigan and us (Penn State) have way more than 105,000 when we play shitlick warm up teams like Akron or Eastern Michigan.


WAY TO BEAT THE FUCKEYES

HOOK EM UP!!!!!!

http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_photos/08/05/20050101205809990002

This is why College football>NFL.

LOL @ Great Prairie!

Are the tickets for NCAA as expensive as for the pro leagues?

i think ticket face value of this Texas vs. Ohio State game shown here were $65 each, but a pair of tix together were going for up to $2500 from the scalpers.

Its benches as are most college football stadiums. Still an absolutely huge stadium, and like all US stadiums, has a minimum width for each "seat" according to firecode.


Imagine the width for the minimum, as our American chums do like their burgers!!! In Europe that stadium could probably hold 350000.

This is why College football>NFL.

Why?

HUGE !!!!!!

Imagine the width for the minimum, as our American chums do like their burgers!!! In Europe that stadium could probably hold 350000.

sounds unsanitary, as we know our european buddies dont like to shower

Imagine the width for the minimum, as our American chums do like their burgers!!! In Europe that stadium could probably hold 350000.



You guys are on your way to fattieville as well so you shouldn't talk.

Why?


You will find very few if any NFL games that even come close to the atmosphere of a college game.

^ I think they should move the whole city.

We're at the beginning of a 30-40 year hurricane cycle, global warming is causing sea levels to rise...

There's just no way the city is going to last. New Orleans will have to be moved, probably in our lifetimes.


actually global warming doesnt cause sea levels to rise, it stays the same, fill a glass of water to almost the very top, now put in ice and wait for it to melt, the glass wont overflow it will just go back to the level it was before the ice was there, so if anything the polar caps melting is lowering the sea level!!!!

^ I think they should move the whole city.

We're at the beginning of a 30-40 year hurricane cycle, global warming is causing sea levels to rise...

There's just no way the city is going to last. New Orleans will have to be moved, probably in our lifetimes.

New Orleans is the birth place of Jazz and a cultural icon. It is just too important to give up on. You don't just "demolish" a historical place. They should build a 30-foot high levee wall around it if necessary, America has the means to do it.

Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE. Home of the College World Series.

http://www.lamar.com/offices/omaha/images/cwsphoto.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/ph/omaha3.jpg

Very old and different, but that's what I like about it. Plus, I love NCAA baseball.

Yea but if you love watching the game played at it's best sit back and watch the NFL in awe

I don't believe either is better
High School football might be the best

nice

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/09/13/gallery.leadingoff/gallery06.jpg

You will find very few if any NFL games that even come close to the atmosphere of a college game.

It really depends on the college game, only rivalries and big games like UT/OSU have better atmosphere.

I think the NFL gets sold short on the atmosphere.

Stadiums:
College stadiums are bigger for the big schools. NFL stadiums are nicer. College stadiums are older and have a larger variety in design due to their "tinker toy" nature

Pageantry:
Colleges have large bands, Big flags, bold long standing logos, more outrageous and/or regional mascots, traditional cheerleaders, stadium traditions and cheers and you are more apt to find a stadium bathed in a team color. NFL does have music from the stadium(Redskins have a band though), big flags, newer more up to date logos, alternate unis, sexy dance squads(called cheerleaders) a few cheers and usually lack stadium traditions because most teams have gone through two or three stadiums in the last 50-60 years. Both are colorful, but the college pageantry is memorable, steady and very specific to each school. It is most importantly familiar. If you go back to see your college team 30 years from now it will continue to be familiar. The uniforms will likely be very very similar. The cheers will be the same. Traditions will be the same.

Fans:
College fans are very loyal. Even when a team stinks for 10 years, huge stadiums are still very full, almost to capacity. Fans will watch their team no matter what. They will listen to what the head coach says and do it. They'll come out in the same color shirt, they'll stand until their team scores. They'll generally know all the cheers and traditions. They are also cheering for the jersey and school name moreso than players. NFL fans are generally not as loyal, and can be transient as to which team they root for. There is still passion there, just not the sheep passion that many college fans have.

Atmosphere. In general, I'd say college has better atmosphere. The NFL playoffs though are big time, as are rivalries like Cowboys-Eagles. The NFL games are a bit more relaxed. Likely because the defensive skill and athletes are so incredible in the NFL. They tend to deflate scoring much of the time, and if the home team is the defensive greatness team, then it can really get loud. There are few cheers per team, so you might get a de-fense or the rare J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets. You also have rare traditions like the Lambeau leap. In college, you have lots of cheers. I can think of several off hand for UT. We sing them in unison throughout the game. When your college team is on defense, you generally make lots of noise. Some places wave towels or whatever. Then you have the bands. It creates a great atmosphere. But these are mostly the biggest 30-40 schools.

On the field: I've explained before. The NFL is more refined and specialized. If a guy is open, the quarterback generally hits him or puts the ball where it can be caught. Missed reads are rare by any player and usually result in first downs because the speed and strength is so equal. So the games come down to a few plays. Those plays can be very spectacular though with the calibre of athlete in the NFL. College is exciting for its own reasons, which is why many like it so much. There are more assignment mistakes since the players are younger and less experienced. Mistakes in college more often lead to long gains or touchdowns. You also have more experimentation at positions. In the NFL there's pretty much a prototype size, speed and mental make-up for each position. In college you might find a smaller, but faster running back, or a quarterback who only throws marginally well, but runs like a gazelle. The schemes are also more varied to take advantage of the more often made mistakes. It makes match-ups much more interesting. For example, Michigan's basic pro-style offense against Texas' spread option offense. Put all of that variety, with athlete's who are maturing into NFL calibre athlete's (almost there really) and you get a very exciting brand of football.

I would put Rosenblatt at the top of a medium sized stadium category, not better than most major league stadiums.

well this could just be the owner trying to get a new stadium built or just trying to find a reason to relocate

old story----
*Saints Stadium
After playing at the Superdome for more than two decades, the New Orleans Saints are one of several teams in the NFL who want a new stadium built. In the summer of 2001, owner of the Saints, Tom Benson requested that a new retractable roof stadium be built for the team by the 2006 season. Several sites have been discussed on where the stadium should be built including one 10 blocks from the Superdome. However, since 2001, little progress has been made on a new facility for the Saints. Originally the projected cost was roughly $450 million. Under the original plans, if a new stadium was built, it would be in an oval shape with 60-70,000 seats and a retractable roof to protect fans from bad weather. The stadium would also include a state of the art entertainment system, and fans would also be allowed to tailgate around the stadium. Throughout 2004 and 2005 there have been discussions of the Saints possibly relocating to Los Angeles or possibly San Antonio. There has been discussions of renovating the Superdome at a cost of around $174 million, but in April 2005, the Saints dropped the negotiations. The team does have a clause that allows them to leave the Superdome at New Orleans after the 2005 season.
old design for new stadium
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/future/saints102.gif

I really like that stadium.

They shouldn't demolish this stadium.

actually global warming doesnt cause sea levels to rise, it stays the same, fill a glass of water to almost the very top, now put in ice and wait for it to melt, the glass wont overflow it will just go back to the level it was before the ice was there, so if anything the polar caps melting is lowering the sea level!!!!

OK, a slightly better experiment - fill the glass of water almost to the top, and place some ice cubes on the edges of the glass (to represent the ice caps, which aren't currently part of the world's oceans), and see what happens. Then warm the water by a couple of degrees for good measure.

This is why College football>NFL.

EXACTLY

Baylor Ballpark of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Capacity of 5000.

Certainly not the biggest, but it's a very nice venue with good scenery and a usually great team. Great place to watch a game.


http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/bay/non-sport/school-bio/bay-ballpark2.jpg

http://superseriesbaseball.com/images/WacoBaylorPark.gif

http://superseriesbaseball.com/images/WacoBaylorPark2.gif

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/bay/non-sport/school-bio/baseball_from1stbasestands-lg.jpg

Thanks for that comparison Rantanamo.

Personally, from a complete outsider's point of view, College Football wins hands down. For a start, NFL teams are refered to as a "Franchise", aren't they? I think thats crazy! They are TEAMS, not COMPANIES. The NFL is just not what sport is about at all, and that annoys me.

College football on the other hand is a sports team, proud in its roots and traditions. College teams won't move cities just to get more people going to their games. College football just has that special something - the fans are all like-minded, I presume often students, or families in some way connected to the school, which means that there is a real sense of pride that goes with following a college team, more so than a commercial money making nonsense.

Am I completely wrong here? I don't really follow American Footy (don't really get the oppertunity over here) but thats what I get from the very little I'm exposed to.


Incredible attendance, by the way :okay:

that is true of most of the north polar region, the ice displaces more water than it would create melted, the problem is the ice sat on top of rock ie all of greenland and most of antartica

That's a good understanding I think. Many NFL teams(the older half of them) like Green Bay, Dallas, Cleveland or Chicago, have pretty good tradition and loyal followings. They celebrate their roots almost like college teams. They are, however, organizations or franchises of the NFL in a business sense. A very astute business I might add.

You're also right about family connections with colleges. Whether colleges are big with sport or not, you are part of your college's "family". Often parents, cousins, or siblings(like in my family) will all attend the same school, which often draws those who don't attend a college and are close to you into rooting for your school as well. So my family is definitely a Longhorn family. I know many SMU, Texas A&M and Baylor families as well. Plus, no matter where you move to, you attended that university.

Aside from that though, the Athletic Departments of larger universities are almost like NFL franchises, except they don't pay the student-athletes and that they are over all of the school's "intercollegiate" athletics. These Athletic Departments do indeed create their own revenues from ticket and apparel sales as well as donations, television money and athletic company deals(notice the Nike swooshes all over the pics). The larger schools run budgets of over $50 million per year, with more in donations from alumni. This will include sports like football, soccer(yes there is college soccer), basketball, baseball, track and field(this is the world's largest feeder of world track and field athletes), swimming, volleyball and many more. So when you get the fuddy duddies complaining about school money being spent on athletics, that is false. The athletic programs make and raise their own money.

Baylor's park certainly looks great. I'm glad that UT will finally catch the Disch up to modern parks like that.

Nice pictures of the Horseshoe and the game. Where is that guy dotting the "i"?

uhh is it just me or isn't there a WHOLE LOTTA things in the N.O that need to re-built before consideration for even thinking about a new stadium can be comtemplated!?

i.e neighbourhoods, houses, facilities, power stations...maybe some levees here and there?

It's not like those things are going to be sacrificed in order to build a new stadium.

^been looking for a pic of it.

Bump

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4292392.stm

Here's a look at the new stadium the Vikings and Anoka County have apparently agreed upon.

- 68,000 seats
- $675 million
- retractable roof
- supposed to open in 2009

http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/future/vikmain.jpg
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/future/vikings701.jpg
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/future/vikings700.jpg

Nice stadium, look's cool to me :)

Wow, great stadium. I swear this is almost to the T the stadium I had in my head for an olympic stadium along Chicago's lake front for a 2016 olympic bid. I love that one end zone is open. Can you see the skyline from the side that is open>

No you can't see the skyline, Blaine is a long way from downtown. That's the thing I don't like about this stadium plan. It's not in a central location. For those in the south metro (Eagan, Bloomington, Eden Prarie, etc.) it's a long drive. I'm not sure this will actually get built.

I couldn't tell from the article, but will this be taken to the voters?

Looks nice, and I guess now that in the north retractable roofs are a must. I love how it looks like it built near a swamp.

No you can't see the skyline, Blaine is a long way from downtown. That's the thing I don't like about this stadium plan. It's not in a central location. For those in the south metro (Eagan, Bloomington, Eden Prarie, etc.) it's a long drive. I'm not sure this will actually get built.

The Cowboys are doing the same thing by building a new stadium in the suburbs. I also like the old model better.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/837/screenbig4av.jpg

Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq-DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., announced today that it has been awarded a contract to design and build the world’s largest high definition (HD) light emitting diode (LED) display for Dolphins Stadium.

Daktronics has been chosen by Dolphins Stadium to provide two large ProStar® video displays, each with true, physical pixel resolution exceeding the 720p high definition television standard of 720 pixel by 1,280 pixel resolution. The largest of the two displays will be the largest of its kind in the world. The project is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2006 baseball season, which begins in April.

The facility will be the first NFL venue to implement true HD large screen video. Sports fans are becoming accustomed to watching their teams on high definition broadcasts. Now fans in Dolphins Stadium will see incredible, high resolution, crystal clear, live video and replays on the new digital displays behind each end zone.

Both ProStar® screens will incorporate an even wider aspect ratio than the 9:16 wide screen ratio of HD television, and will give fans a wider, more panoramic view of the action. With their superb resolution and super wide format, the displays will also have the ability to show multiple images simultaneously.

Behind the east end zone, a Daktronics ProStar® display will be installed on the existing scoreboard structure. This display will measure approximately 50 feet high by 137 feet with a true resolution of 736 pixels high by 2,112 pixels wide. Full-screen images shown on this display will be comprised of more than 1.5 million pixels, made from more than 4.6 million red, green and blue LEDs.

Upon completion, this display will become the world’s largest high definition video display, surpassing one installed earlier this year that was recognized as the largest by Guinness World Records. The largest of the two ProStar® displays at Dolphins Stadium will be nearly 20 percent larger than the current record holder.

Behind the west end zone, a second large ProStar® display will be installed. This high definition display will measure approximately 50 feet high by 99 feet wide, and will be mounted to the existing support structure.

“Daktronics is very excited about the opportunity to bring true HD large screen video to a great venue like Dolphins Stadium,” said James Morgan, President and CEO of Daktronics. “This will add another dimension and greater entertainment for the fans. With this upgrade, Dolphins Stadium will claim the world’s largest HD video screen, which will be a landmark for video display technology.”

“As a football fan who has attended Dolphins games, I can say the game-day experience is already exceptional,” said Brent Stevens, Daktronics Regional Sales Manager for Large Sports Venues. “The installation of these two revolutionary displays will enhance that experience even further by allowing Dolphins fans to see images unsurpassed in any venue in the world.”

Said Stevens: “Fans will be amazed with the image quality of the ProStar screens."

Blimey! - It will be so real lifelike, that you would amost expect them to jump out of the screen and take too the field lol :)

WHOA so i guess huizenga is finally reaching into those very deep pockets and spending some money in anticipation for the 2007 and 2010 superbowl....go dolphins?

100th game of the Red River Rivalry between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The stadium seats 75,452 and tickets are divided exactly even between both universities, right down the 50 yard line at midfield. Both campuses are exactly 3 hours from the city of Dallas and the Cotton Bowl doorstep. As part of the tradition, OU gets the south side and UT the north, making fans ceremoniously "cross paths" on thier way to the stands (Norman, OK is 200 miles north of dallas, Austin, TX is 200 miles south of dallas) This takes place during the state fair of TEXAS, which adds to the ambiance of the football game. Texas' color is Burnt Orange and Oklahoma's color is Crimson.

The 50-50 split at the 50 yard line
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/bigkickoff.jpg



Up close
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/orange.jpg



Texas state fair in the background:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-05/0817redriver2.jpg



'Big Tex' greets players and fans outside the Cotton Bowl
http://suzanne.hopkins-family.org/journal/snapshots/59.jpg



Jamal Charles, just another great runningback in a long line of great Texas runningbacks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/JC.jpg



Billy Pittman scores a touchdown on the Texas side with 7 seconds left before halftime
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/BP.jpg



Ramonce Taylor catches the first touchdown pass for Texas in 6 TX-OU games
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/RT.jpg



315 pound Rod Wright returns an OU fumble 80 yards. Notice the QB Rhett Bomar flat on his ass after commiting the fumble on a VERY hard hit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/rodrique.jpg



TOUCHDOWN!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/rod.jpg


Bomar would rather NOT get up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/bomar_down.jpg



Vince Young, Texas quarterback, is the MAN!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/VY.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/vince.jpg



TEXAS fans celebrate a 45-12 victory. Notice the half-full stands of orange, while the crimson-clad Sooner fans have headed for the exits on their side of the stadium.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/cottonbowl.jpg



Winner get The Golden Hat trophy. Hook 'em Horns! OU sucks!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/a_goldenhat_412.jpg

Cool pics!! The pageantry captured in those pics is why college football is better than pro football.

That is pretty awesome. .

Awesome stuff. Kind of sad for OU that their 'fans' left at half time. OK, it was 24-6 at the half, but a lot can happen in 30 mins of play.

What is this world coming to...Florida State finally beats Miami, Texas finally beats Oklahoma, and Minnesota finally beat Michigan...

What is the biggest rivalry in California?

What is the biggest rivalry in California?

i would say probably Cal-Stanford

Why is Oklahoma called the "Sooner" State? Is it because all its visitors would Sooner be somewhere else? :D

thats awesome hey, wish they did that for the Western derby over here in aus in the afl , rather than having one team be at a home game and the other supporters getting like 10,000 seats (although they play twice a year so it evens out)

American "football" :| rivalrys are very big in size but that is it the passion isn't there simple as you want passion and singing and an amzing atmosphere go to FOOTBALL match like Tottenham vs Arsenal at whl or Everton vs Liverpool now that is a real sporting rivalry.

Sorry to be a git but it is true.

American "football" :| rivalrys are very big in size but that is it the passion isn't there simple as you want passion and singing and an amzing atmosphere go to FOOTBALL match like Tottenham vs Arsenal at whl or Everton vs Liverpool now that is a real sporting rivalry.

Sorry to be a git but it is true.

Oh, for God's sake, shut up about Tottenham just for once, can't you? It's very tedious. And if you had been to a big American football match, then you would know that the fans are very passionate indeed. Just as passionate as they are in English football. They may not sing spontaneous songs as "soccer" fans in Europe and South America. But that's just a matter of tradition. The fans at American football still make a hell of a noise, though.

So please - just for once - stop trying to turn every thread into a competition or a discussion about Tottenham.

American football rivalrys are very big in size but that is it the passion isn't there simple as you want passion and singing and an amzing atmosphere go to FOOTBALL match like Tottenham vs Arsenal at whl or Everton vs Liverpool now that is a real sporting rivalry.

Sorry to be a git but it is true.

LMFAO. Spoken like a typical english git. You dont know shit outside of your little island. now go wank to your wayne rooney posters and slather your face in spot cream.

Texas-ou has more pagaentry than 99% of sporting events in the world. The best part is, its not forced, like say, the olympics ... "oooohhh, everybody's happy, its the olympics, we're the peace games, fair competition, look at the fireworks, la da da deee da!"

No, its driving up with your buddies from Austin on Friday when you should be in class (but hell, your professors are driving up too), its going out and getting fucked up at "The Across the Street Bar" in Dallas Texas, with 25 cent pitchers and talking shit to Oklahoma trash. Its waking up with your date on saturday moring in a cheap hotel, bloody-nosed and hungover, but none of that matters because you're headed to the Texas State Fair to eat funnel cake and corny dogs and every other fried delicacy in the midway while talking shit to the Sooner trash outside the Cotton Bowl. Its taking your picture underneath Big Tex, then making your way over to the team entrances to greet your team bus or throw shit at the OU bus.

Its filing into the Cotton Bowl stadium. An OLD historic dinosaur of a stadium that is split exactly 50-50 with fans down the 50 yard line, 38,000 in Orange, 38,000 in Crimson. There isnt even an aisle to divide the fans. you are rubbing sholders with the enemy halfway down your aisle should you be lucky enough to be on the dividing line.

Its the teams walking down the famed Cotton Bowl tunnel, so close that they could reach out and touch each other. Great players have thrown up in there from nerves. The Texas section sings "The Eyes of Texas" and possibly "Texas Our Texas", two heartfelt songs (much, MUCH like "You will never walk Alone" before England plays) before the hysteria begins

The Oklahoma band plays Boomer Sooner and The Texas Band playing Texas Fight, and the teams rush out of the tunnel to their respective sides. OTher songs include March of the Longhorns, March Grandioso, Wabash Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas, Texas, Texas, Yee Haw, and Go Horns Go, all of which require spontaneous singing, body movements and the world famous "hook 'em horns" hand sign. There are flags, banners and posters.

Every play, 50% of the stadium is cheering. Every play. When have you heard a stadium like that? Hook em horns handsigns up, or if you are a sooner, you do the handsign upside down to show disrespect. Old grandmothers teach their young grandchildren how to flip off "TEXASS" fans. No shit, i've seen it.

Matthew McConaughey, actor, cheering on the sidelines for the horns, and Willie Nelson doing a bump of cocaine from his seats in the endzone (allegedly in the 70s). Barry Switzer, former OU and Dallas Cowboy coach getting taunted and praised from Longhorns and Sooners.

And in the end, you have that little matter of a football game. One that has been played one hundred times in a neutral site in a neutral city in a 50-50 split stadium. the smell of fair food lingers, and the prospect of celebrating your win on the town of Dallas or drowning your sorrows. Either way, you know you'll be ending up with a bloody nose and a hangover next to your date in a cheap La Quinta hotel on Sunday morning.

Why Notre Dame has such a high rank in the polls? I don´t think they are that good.

What is this world coming to...Florida State finally beats Miami, Texas finally beats Oklahoma, and Minnesota finally beat Michigan...
Well, Texas has beaten OU before 2000-2004. In fact, they have beaten them now as of 2005, 56 times. This rivalry goes in streaks. Just before OU had its 5 game winning streak, Texas had a 3 game winning streak itself and won 7 out of 9 in the series.
It was a great game if you was a Longhorn fan :). Glad you guys got to "2005" before I did because I would have said the same things lol. 45-12 was sweet.
40acres, if you don't mind, I saved your post describing the Texas-OU game. Have not seen a better description on the internet.

Why Notre Dame has such a high rank in the polls? I don´t think they are that good.

Because they are a good team and not many teams in the top 20 are better than them. They are only going to get better with Charlie Weiss as head coach.

BTW that pic of billy pittman is great. That was a great pass and catch and just overall, a great play.

I hope Laura Miller doesn't fuck up and let the series go to home and home...

Oh, for God's sake, shut up about Tottenham just for once, can't you? It's very tedious. And if you had been to a big American football match, then you would know that the fans are very passionate indeed. Just as passionate as they are in English football. They may not sing spontaneous songs as "soccer" fans in Europe and South America. But that's just a matter of tradition. The fans at American football still make a hell of a noise, though.

So please - just for once - stop trying to turn every thread into a competition or a discussion about Tottenham.

Sorry just can't but piss everyone off well funny.

American "football" :| rivalrys are very big in size but that is it the passion isn't there simple as you want passion and singing and an amzing atmosphere go to FOOTBALL match like Tottenham vs Arsenal at whl or Everton vs Liverpool now that is a real sporting rivalry.

Sorry to be a git but it is true.


Hey, well this may not be all that spontaneous as the other team just got whupped, but dare to see this and deny American football fans lack passion (even if there is a smidgeon of unsportsmanship in this).

http://www.jandedesigns.com/RJYH%20Florida.wmv

(I hope its okay for me to post outside links. i get confused with all these different forums)

Hey, well this may not be all that spontaneous as the other team just got whupped, but dare to see this and deny American football fans lack passion (even if there is a smidgeon of unsportsmanship in this).

http://www.jandedesigns.com/RJYH%20Florida.wmv

(I hope its okay for me to post outside links. i get confused with all these different forums)

True but I bet they were singing because they were winning I've been to Nottingham Forest away games and they've been loosing and I joined in singing my lungs out and I've done the same just the once at a Tottenham game. I admit that tho that I would not take away the brilliance of that atmosphere.

Only fair that I give a link hay.
http://www.tottenham-fans.com/aday_ina_life.htm

Hey, well this may not be all that spontaneous as the other team just got whupped, but dare to see this and deny American football fans lack passion (even if there is a smidgeon of unsportsmanship in this).

http://www.jandedesigns.com/RJYH%20Florida.wmv

(I hope its okay for me to post outside links. i get confused with all these different forums)

have you ever been to a Texas/Oklahoma game?

have you ever been to a Texas/Oklahoma?

Nope. I imagine its get loud there too. However, I hear they're leaving the Cotton Bowl after next year to go a home-and-home series.

It's 2007

oh the question was meant to be asked to people who claim the Red river rivalry lacked passion?

I quoted the wrong person

RATE THE ARENA: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA.

Home of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL, it was built in 1961 and located in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is the oldest arena in the NHL, formerly known as the IGLOO. It has a capacity of over 17,000. The Penguins won the 1990-91 and 1991-92 Stanley Cup Championships when playing in this building.

http://www.inthecrease.co.uk/trippics/theigloo.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~orngaclorngio/Mellon%20Arena%20450x300.JPG
http://www.aviewoncities.com/img/pittsburgh/kveus1256s.jpg
http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com/pittsburgh026.jpg
http://www.skylinepictures.com/Smith_Mellon_Arena_p68_large.jpg

It is awesome from the outside but the interior is old and outdated, the Penguins are heavily pursuing a new arena or else they will leave Pittsburgh. The roof originally retracted when built but it cannot anymore.

7/10 for being pretty cool.

I totally agree with your comments, DrJoe, I'll be off to Pittsburgh next year in March to see a Penguins/Leafs game! Looking forward to that!

I give it a 7.5/10

I think it looks pretty cool at least from tv and photos. It has some charecther at least from many of the new areans built in North American which if you look at photos of the inside are generally very hard to distinguish from one another.

The roof really used to retract? I think that is a fabulous idea. I wish my Blackhawks had done something like that. Imagine how cool it would be to watch hocky on not TOO COLD of nights during winter out in the elemants under the stars!!!!! That would rock.

Hopefully the last few organizations that will build a new arena in the future will take it into strong consideration.

Wow, I love the outside! Why don't they just renovate the interior into a modern arena. I would hate to see that treasure lost to the wrecking ball.

As a Univeristy of Oklahoma student, nothing compares to the Red River Rivalry. OU and UT are two schools that are undeniably in the top 5 in terms of tradition and history in college football. I read that some of you say it probably "lacks passion." How can you say that when you've never been? Classes are even canceled the day before at OU! The night before, OU and Texas fans go to the West End and trash talk and it gets pretty tense. Extra police force is required to make sure nothing gets out of hand.

Great Prarie, great job in capturing the atmosphere! It truly is one of the greatest rivalries in college football. By the way.... Texas still sucks!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from OU-Texas.

This is permanently painted in the South Oval at OU:
http://www.tuckfexas.com/photos/photos/129.jpg

Texas my have the scoreboard on us this year but they don't have this!
OU/Texas 2000 score:
http://www.tuckfexas.com/photos/photos/29.jpg
OU/Texas 2003 score:
http://www.tuckfexas.com/photos/photos/28.jpg
http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics5/400/BK/BKLVDKDAPUAGXUI.20031013184320.jpg
http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics6/400/MX/MXPUBLXTKRNCYIY.20031013184609.jpg
http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics4/400/EX/EXWGPFBOBLOYZHQ.20031013184741.jpg
http://www.myweb.cableone.net/andrews05/ousaxet.bmp

Pregame show - Pride of Oklahoma marching band - OU!
http://photos.newsok.com/show_image.php?p=52616e646f6d49564e295bb95ab610c0379daf2043f172cc

Well they just started the demolition of the old Busch. The new one is really coming along now.

July 05
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2005.nsf/show/62E5C28F7F9E8038862570470081F233/$FILE/july2005.jpg

August 05
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2005.nsf/show/2AF3EABBE7BD599286257061001BAC46/$FILE/august2005.jpg

September 05
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2005.nsf/show/A808412FA25C85688625708A007EDA4C/$FILE/september2005.jpg

October 05
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2005.nsf/show/9F75475A207AF9D8862570AF0075CCEF/$FILE/20051013-stadium.jpg

Lame-ass if those green seats turn out to be that same Camden green, which I wouldn't doubt.

Lame-ass if those green seats turn out to be that same Camden green, which I wouldn't doubt.

The seats are red

I'm gonna miss the old Busch.

Neat project, so I guess there'll be one road extension, and one dead end since the stadium's location will have moved. I've always like Busch Stadium though, how round it is. The new one looks nice too though.

Just a quick question - does the term "cookie cutter stadium" come from the fact that they look like cookie cutters (which Busch does in a way), or from the fact that they look so similar to each other, like cookies made with the same cookie cutter?

Just a quick question - does the term "cookie cutter stadium" come from the fact that they look like cookie cutters (which Busch does in a way), or from the fact that they look so similar to each other, like cookies made with the same cookie cutter?

A little bit of both

When is demolition of the old Busch?

Now.

(btw, I'm a big Cardinals fan)

Demolition started like a week ago. They were originally going to blow it up, but because construction was so far ahead of schedule they decided to tear it down instead. Demolition is supposed to be completed by summer 06. Opening day for baseball is (I think) April 6th 2006.

Thanks Arch.

Here is a webcam. When it's light out you can see the demolition progress.

http://www.kmov.com/stadiumcam/images/stadium_lg.jpg

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/astroout.jpg
Should the 8th wonder of world (the Astrodome) be used for soccer?????
From my point of view I think it should, Houston should keep the landmark as a sports venue instead of a hotel. FIFA has approved artificial truf on stadiums.

Maybe for minor games,, but Reliant should be used for Mexico's national team games, for example this wednesday, against Bulgary there should be at least 45-55 k, even if its only a friendly

Forgive my ignorance but can the roof be retracted to allow real grass to grow instead?

Should be the 8th wonder of the world? I hope that was tongue in cheek.

i don't think it should, playing soccer on astroturf sucks, and the feeling of the open air in a stadium is much better than a dome.

It's too outdated. No.

Maybe for minor games,, but Reliant should be used for Mexico's national team games, for example this wednesday, against Bulgary there should be at least 45-55 k, even if its only a friendly
Why would Reliant stadium be used for Mexico's games.

Reliant Stadium= In the US

Mexico= Not in the US

Anyways I dont think so. Even if they removed the astroturf the stadium is still too old.

Forgive my ignorance but can the roof be retracted to allow real grass to grow instead?

Funny story... The roof is fixed, but when it opened in 1965, the roof was made up of thousands of plexiglass panels that allowed sunlight to pour in, and natural grass was installed and grew pretty well. Unfortunately, the light was so glaring, baseball players had an extremely difficult time seeing the ball when it was hit up in the air. So, the clear panels were painted black. But then the grass died, and a company named Monsanto invented a green artificial carpet to play on, hence the name "AstroTurf." :)

So if you want real grass in the Astrodome, you can scrape the paint off the roof, or the other alternative would be to use the artificial surface FieldTurf, which I believe is FIFA approved. ;)

Why would Reliant stadium be used for Mexico's games.

Reliant Stadium= In the US

Mexico= Not in the US

Anyways I dont think so. Even if they removed the astroturf the stadium is still too old.


normally due to the large mexican inmigrantion population in Houston, the national team plays some friendlies in the US ( Houton, LA, Chicago, San DIego, and other major us cities),, usually the get really big crowds, and almosts everybody sharing for mexico.

of course oficial home games are always played in Mexico.

What is a cookie-cutter stadium? I don't know a whole lot about baseball, so forgive my igorance ;)

A "cookie-cutter" stadium, or "concrete donut" as some call them, were a series of multi-purpouse stadia erected in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s. In an effort to save taxpayer money, these stadiums were built to house both a city's baseball and [American] football franchises, and could be easily converted from one type of field to the other. All of them were essentially identical in design, with multiple vertial concrete pillars holding up two or three main decks of stands that encircled the interior, and a small roof at the top to add a little character. (Jokingly, some baseball players said these stadia looked so similar, they didn't know where they were playing at. :) )

The following stadia are classified as "cookie-cutter":

- Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium: Atlanta, Georgia
- Busch Stadium: St. Louis, Missouri
- Riverfront Stadium (Also known as Cinergy Field): Cincinnati, Ohio
- Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK Stadium, for short): Washington, D.C.
- Three Rivers Stadium: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Veterans Stadium: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

All but RFK have been demolished and replaced with separate stadiums for football and baseball. RFK has been abandoned for a few years since the Washington Redskins moved to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. But in 2005, the Washington Nationals MLB franchise moved in as a temporary home, while their new ballpark is being planned and built in the city elsewhere.

:)

^ What about Shea Stadium? It was built for the Mets and the Jets. The only thing that differentiaties it from other cooki-cutters is the lack of outfield seats.

I would also put Jack Murphey as part of the "cookie-cutter" group. Due to its palm treets in the outfield and a bit nicer look it didn't look as bad but it is still pretty much a cookie cutter.

Shea is on the borderline. It certainly fits the criteria up untill the outfield. I wouldn't call it a true cookie cutter though since I think as CC's as totally enclosed.

Ya and now the US only plays important US-Mexico games in the heart of US, where you wont find one Mexican, like Colombus, because the Mexicans usually outnumber the Americans and really intimidate US. :)

Soccer on turf?

No.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/52787CCF82F04D998DC2029FE7C1B157.JPG?0.64107592064111
.Arrowhead Stadium with Rolling Roof

The NFL’s Super Bowl – considered to be among the most prestigious sporting events in the world – is coming to Kansas City. Today, in a vote taken at the fall session of the league’s annual meeting, NFL owners passed a proposal to bring the NFL’s championship game to Kansas City in a year between 2012 and 2021. The actual date will be at the discretion of the National Football League. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced the passing of the proposal in Kansas City early this afternoon.

“We are very grateful for the action taken by the membership of the National Football League,” said Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who made the proposal to the membership, but was quick to pay tribute to the work of many people in the organization to bring the Super Bowl here including his son Clark, the organization’s Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board Jack Steadman and Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but the foresight of the membership on this matter is much appreciated.”

The awarding of the Super Bowl was contingent on two key elements, said Hunt. Arrowhead Stadium, which opened in ‘72 and is one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL now, must be renovated and would include a climate-controlling “Rolling Roof” structure. The awarding of a Super Bowl would also require the city and the team to meet all the bid specifications laid out by the league.

A renovated Arrowhead will feature the largest seating capacity of any modern Super Bowl site and “the state-of-the-art Rolling Roof is unprecedented by the league and the roof structure will be an icon for Kansas City and the entire National Football League,” Hunt said. Moreover, the 300-acre Truman Sports Complex will allow for an efficient atmosphere of game day hospitality that has become a staple of all Super Bowls, including a Corporate Hospitality village, The NFL Tailgate Party and ample parking for more than 20,000 vehicles. Hunt indicated that the city and team will know the date for a Kansas City Super Bowl approximately five years in advance of the actual date. The construction schedule for the renovation and completion of the “Rolling Roof” is expected to be completed by the 2010 NFL season.

Plans to include a “Rolling Roof” over Arrowhead were included in the original plans for the stadium prior to its construction in the early ‘70s. “During my 17 years here in Kansas City I heard many times from Lamar Hunt about the original architectural design of a “Rolling Roof,’” Peterson remembered. “I think it extremely appropriate and well-deserving that Lamar’s fellow owners have awarded the city a Super Bowl. No one is more deserving than Lamar and his family, but I also want to say that it is a reflection of the National Football League and its ownership that they respect the loyalty, the participation and the involvement of the Kansas City Chiefs fans and the support they’ve given this franchise through the years. This community is deserving of this.”

The Chiefs are currently in negotiations with the Jackson County Sports Authority to extend the team’s lease at Arrowhead to 25 years, as part of an extensive renovation of the stadium that will include the Rolling Roof structure to provide a climate-controlled facility.

original proposal for the stadium in the 1960s
http://cjonline.com/chiefszone/arrowhead/arrowhead.jpg

1984 "dome" proposal
http://cjonline.com/chiefszone/arrowhead/1984.jpg

current Arrowhead Stadium
http://image03.webshots.com/3/8/94/63/10889463EbKKsIDosz_ph.jpg

This is the new tactic being used by the NFL...dangle a SuperBowl in front of each Cities mayor and watch them get a hard-on! They have "promised" the exact same thing to Indianapolis with our new stadium between similar dates. I think Indy's is between 2011 and 2020.
Hell, If Jacksonville can hoist the SuperBowl, then KC and Indy CERTAINLY can host!

wich one is the best soccer stadium of America (both the south andthe north)?

From the north, it'd probably be the Home Depot Center in CA, for now.

There's probably a dozen or two better stadiums than that in the south, so I've got no idea there.

I doubt KC would get a super bowl. Keep in mind the #1 thing league owners look at is where do they think their enterages and "hangers on" would like to spend a week in January. The NFL elite jet-setters weren't too pleased with Jacksonville, mostly complaining that it was too cold.

The Best of America.....

El Estadio Azteca (Azteca Stadium in Mexico City).

http://www.kochweb.de/omex/image/albums/dfaire/Azteca.jpg

The Best of America.....

El Estadio Azteca (Azteca Stadium in Mexico City).

http://www.kochweb.de/omex/image/albums/dfaire/Azteca.jpg

not sure if its the best, but its certainly one of the best in América.

Brasil has some great stadiums, but most of them are kinda old and decript. I hope we win the bid for the 2014 Cup. We will have an excuse to build new GOOD and HUGE stadiums, whch may become the best in América.

Macaraña or Azteca.

we must see the all stadiums to make a judgment...But yes, Asteca is one of the bests. It is the stadium of romantic times... But we need more pictures of this wonderful stadium..

Is the capacity going to be expanded if awarded the Super Bowl?

From my point of view here are some of America's best soccer stadiums by country......

Mexico:
Azteca Stadium
http://www.kochweb.de/omex/image/albums/dfaire/Azteca.jpg

Estadio Jalisco
http://www.fussballtempel.net/concacaf/MEX/Jalisco2.jpg

Estadio La Corregidora
http://www.hotelesdemexico.com.mx/Imagenes/Queretaro/estadio_corregidora.jpg

Estadio Chivas (2006)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/guadalajara_omnilife.jpg

Brazil:
Maracana
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/brazil/rio_de_janeiro/rio_de_janeiro_maracana1.jpg

Estadio Mangueirao
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/brazil/para/belem_proenca1.jpg

Arena Multiuso (2006)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/salvador_arena.jpg

Estadio Joao Havelange (2005)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/rio_de_janeiro_havelange.jpg

Argentina:
El Monumental
http://www.fussballtempel.net/conmebol/ARG/AV_Liberti_A3.jpg

Ecuador:
El Monumental de Guayaquil
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/ecuador/guayaquil_monumental.jpg

Estadio La Casa Blanca
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/ecuador/quito_casa_blanca.jpg

Columbia:
Estadio Metropolitano
http://www.fussballtempel.net/conmebol/COL/Metropolitano_Barranquilla_A.jpg

Estadio Azul (2007)
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/bogota_azul.jpg

Estadio Deportivo Cali
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/past_future/pictures/future_stadiums/cali_deportivo.jpg

Venezuela:
Estadio Metropolitano de Merida (200?)
http://www.degolagol.com/images/estad.metrop.jpg

Here is a big one in Peru. 80093 is the capacity.

http://www.fussballtempel.net/conmebol/PER/Monumental_U2.jpg

http://www.fussballtempel.net/conmebol/PER/Monumental_U4.jpg

http://www.fussballtempel.net/conmebol/PER/Monumental_U7.jpg

http://www.fussballtempel.net/conmebol/PER/Monumental_U5.jpg

Rogers Centre in Toronto (formerly known as SkyDome):

Capacity of about 50,000 for football.


Porto match, Friday July 30, 2004. Porto 1 - Liverpool 0. Skydome, Toronto:

http://www.anthonyprovenzano.com/images/5.%20Soccer%20Extravaganza/Second%20Half%20Pano.jpg


AS Roma - Glasgow Celtic. Skydome, Toronto:

http://www.anthonyprovenzano.com/images/5.%20Soccer%20Extravaganza/Game%20Pano%202.jpg


A new FIFA approved 20,000 + seater is being designed and built in Toronto. It will be a football-only stadium. I will post designs when I find some.

I didn't know the Skydome was used for soccer ...... :eek2:

but one thing is for sure, it looks cool with soccer...

Reliant Stadium in Houston is home to the Texans, for American Football, but when it has soccer games, it sure looks nice......, trust me I've been to plenty of games.
http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2005/downloads/RELIANT_STADIUM/Reliant.png
http://img320.imageshack.us/img320/6417/reliant4rj.png

Reliant Stadium in Houston is home to the Texans, for American Football, but when it has soccer games, it sure looks nice......, trust me I've been to plenty of games.
http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2005/downloads/RELIANT_STADIUM/Reliant.png


Great post cmc! I have been to Reliant Stadium for NFL action. The stadium is incredible! You are right on top of the action!

The skydome in Toronto was actually pretty good for soccer. I went to see the Roma match you see in the pic I attached....

:cheers:

I didn't know the Skydome was used for soccer ...... :eek2:

but one thing is for sure, it looks cool with soccer...



It is for hosting matches of clubs on tour....but there isn;t a team that plays there regularly (I dont think)...Thus I don't think it should count.



Of all stadums the Reliant is my fave in the Americas....if there is a club soccer team that play there regularly ina league....I'll choose that.

Azteca is even better for me, its seats are relatively close to the pitch considering the size (110,000), not one single seat with obstructed view, plus the inclination is very, very, I have been there at a sold out game and it was insane, high above any other stadium experience,
and that counting all my visits, to Qualcomm stadium (during world series) , Petco Park, Fenway, Skydome or Rogers, LA. Coliseum( capacity crowd) Rose Bowl (during world cup), Anaheim Stadium, Montreal olimpic, and many others in Mexico

the feeling of entering this monster that has stands 45 meters above picht, and with the roof, the sound of people is soo high that I have trouble listening to my dad, that was in the next seat, we had to scream to hear each other

plus many amenities U/C

For me, Azteca in Mexico !!! :cheers:

^^^^^

Canada reminds me what it was like 20 years ago in Australia. We used to get excited about 2 big name clubs out here during their off seasons.

Then we realised we could do it just and good they them and decided to get our own teams acts together.

10 years ago I can recall the Canadian NT really pushing Oz in a WCQ. It took a penalty shoot out to resolve the matter.

Canada should join CONMEBOL number 1, then build herself a strong national league. CONCACAF is holding you guys back.

Skydome looks far better than I thought it would (when football is played)

I think it was designed for American football as well as other sports. So as American football fields are very similar to football fields, then I think the Skydome should count.

Reliant and Azteca are better though. If they gave the Azteca a refurbishment (just seats, facade etc, nothing major), then it would easily be the best stadium in the world.

C'mon Mexicans - sell some tequila and some donkeys, and get that stadium looking nice and shiny.

Azteca.

The one in Houston looks the best.

Azteca is nice too.. but very old now.

http://stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/templates/stadionlisten/mexico/estadio_azteca/100.jpg

apart from that Baixada Arena (?) in Paranaense (?)
and possibly the Jalisco, the South American stadiums are crap. The seats are either faded or just not seats (terrace) they are really not very well maintained, look on fussballtempel at the pics of El Monumental. None of the stadiums are at World Cup standard in reality.

I know this could be down to financial positions for the clubs, but they really should upgrade the stadiums regardless of whether they get a World Cup.

North American stadiums are completely the opposite, really modern and nicely designed. My favourite would have to be Reliant Stadium.

i think a law needs to be made to stop owners from naming stidaums after themseleves.....Buffaols Pilot Field went to North Americare Park then of all things..Dunn Tire Park. Rogers Stadium? Are we freaking kidding? That name will never hold a candle to Skydome.

It must be Reliant Stadium in Houston (allready mentioned in this thread) or Qwest Field i Seatle.

Qwest Field

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/9497/qwestfield825681126ep.jpg

More photos in this thread about Qwest Field: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199561

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is also a good one.

http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/stadiums/eagles.jpg

http://www.dessodlw.com/releasearea/released_xml/media_xml/00000000/00000000/00050000/lincoln%20financial%20field.jpg

But this is only judged on photos and TV coverage, because I have never been to a stadium in either North or South America.

None can beat the atmosphere of Azteca.

Those aren't dedicated soccer stadiums though, are they?

As far as football (soccer) is concerned, this stadium is perfect. Absolutely perfect.

http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2005/downloads/RELIANT_STADIUM/Reliant.png

Probably Azteca, it has hosted two World Cup finals, but it seriously needs refurbishment and restoration.

Reliant Stadium in Houston is home to the Texans, for American Football, but when it has soccer games, it sure looks nice......, trust me I've been to plenty of games.
http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2005/downloads/RELIANT_STADIUM/Reliant.png
http://img320.imageshack.us/img320/6417/reliant4rj.png

:runaway:

_O_

The thing that bugs me about Reliant is the huge amount of advertising around the scoreboard.

I like the crazy amount of tiers in the Peruvian stadium - and the coloured seats seem to give the impression that there's always a crowd, but they are getting a bit faded.

Estadio Unico
http://mapas.ojobuscador.com/wp-content/estadiounico.jpg
Racing Club
http://www.racingespasion.8m.com/estadio.jpg
Boca jrs
http://www.stadiumguide.com/bombonera1.jpg

The thing that bugs me about Reliant is the huge amount of advertising around the scoreboard.

I like the crazy amount of tiers in the Peruvian stadium - and the coloured seats seem to give the impression that there's always a crowd, but they are getting a bit faded.

In American sports, its pretty much taboo to have ads on uniforms or around or near the playing surface, so you see them near and around the scoreboards. US stadiums also have much larger and more elaborate video systems that sub for a lot of the direct to player and field advertising.

i think a law needs to be made to stop owners from naming stidaums after themseleves.....Buffaols Pilot Field went to North Americare Park then of all things..Dunn Tire Park. Rogers Stadium? Are we freaking kidding? That name will never hold a candle to Skydome.

Themselves? Stadium naming rights are sold for millions of dollars to these companies.

Soldier Field (eventually the Chicago Fire will move to their new stadium)

Click for full size:
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2808/201730202lmhhqmfs6qu.jpg
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1989/229659561axxhvffs2jm.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=229659561axxhvffs2jm.jpg)
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8605/168214984mkwfjnfs8ni.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=168214984mkwfjnfs8ni.jpg)
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9198/168216640ztkqjefs8uk.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=168216640ztkqjefs8uk.jpg)

i does look nice though. although it looks a bit like a huge tent was placed over the current stadium. how bout a little better integration with the current design

I doubt KC would get a super bowl. Keep in mind the #1 thing league owners look at is where do they think their enterages and "hangers on" would like to spend a week in January. The NFL elite jet-setters weren't too pleased with Jacksonville, mostly complaining that it was too cold.

Is that why they are not rushing to Atlanta?

yes, and probably why DFW will only get one.

From the north, it'd probably be the Home Depot Center in CA, for now.

There's probably a dozen or two better stadiums than that in the south, so I've got no idea there.
Do you not know anything about anything outside of the U.S.? Or were you just trying to be funny? Or were you born yesterday? Alright, maybe I'm being a little harsh here, but seriously, to consider the Home Depot Center the best in North America? If there were some way to quantify what makes a stadium great, The Azteca would beat it by about 10 million points. Then about 10 other Mexican stadiums. Then, MAYBE, you can move onto the U.S. stadiums.

Soldier Field (eventually the Chicago Fire will move to their new stadium)
Those are nice pics. Were you at that game? Or any other soccer games at Soldier Field recently? I go there way more for that than for The Bears (who I love btw).

Do you not know anything about anything outside of the U.S.? Or were you just trying to be funny? Or were you born yesterday? Alright, maybe I'm being a little harsh here, but seriously, to consider the Home Depot Center the best in North America? If there were some way to quantify what makes a stadium great, The Azteca would beat it by about 10 million points. Then about 10 other Mexican stadiums. Then, MAYBE, you can move onto the U.S. stadiums.


Depends on what you mean by best. If you mean best soccer atmosphere, I'm sure it would be Azteca or something in South America, where soccer is king. If you mean, most modern or technology laden as best, then list of "better" stadiums than a Qwest, Soldier Field or Reliant in the world is very short if they aren't on the top of the list.

BTW, Soccer is played at Invesco

Depends on what you mean by best. If you mean best soccer atmosphere, I'm sure it would be Azteca or something in South America, where soccer is king. If you mean, most modern or technology laden as best, then list of "better" stadiums than a Qwest, Soldier Field or Reliant in the world is very short if they aren't on the top of the list.

BTW, Soccer is played at Invesco
I see your point, but I still don't know if you could put the Home Depot Center up there. The only thing it has going for it is that it is designed specifically for soccer.

Isnt the plan with the new La Plata stadium to add on a duel circus tent style roof?

http://www.laplata.gov.ar/index.htm?gobierno/obraspublicas/Estadio/estadio.htm~central

If they gave the Azteca a refurbishment (just seats, facade etc, nothing major), then it would easily be the best stadium in the world.

What even with that horrible gaps between the fans and the pitch at one side like the new Wembley? ;)

How about that? Azteca Stadium, Mexico City

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/192/s11eq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/142/s26br.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^how ironic. a thread about soccer stadiums and here is azteca, one of the premier soccer stadiums in latin america, with pictures of an american football game. ha, ha..... (or "ja, ja..." in spanish)

wow "the big one"

^^how ironic. a thread about soccer stadiums and here is azteca, one of the premier soccer stadiums in latin america, with pictures of an american football game. ha, ha..... (or "ja, ja..." in spanish)

hehe i know but i couldn't get a picture with similar size but with a fotball game

What do you think are the best stadiums, arenas or sporting venues in the US are??

I think the reliant and the soldier field

Wrigley Field!

Conseco Field House has to be up there

Yankee Stadium

Raymond James, in Tampa.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1) Soldier field
2) Reliant Stadium
3) Ford Field.

Wrigley Field is the best in my opinion.

heres a Wrigley picture.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/7123/0928231xo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ray Jay (Raymond James) Tampa

Wrigley

i'm so pizzed they are expanding the Wrigley bleachers. Hopefully it will not screw up the views.

Nothing beats MSG, which is the World's Most Famous Arena.

What kind of American stadium?

There is just such a difference between the basic design of baseball, basketball, and american football stadiums.

In American football, Reliant Stadium (PIC 1 & 2) in Houston, TX takes the cake...for now.

In basketball, Cameron Indoor (PIC 3 & 4) has one of the best environments in the country, although the design of the arena itself is very old. The same can be said about Allen Fieldhouse (PIC 5 & 6) in Lawrence, Kansas. I've only been to two NBA arena's (Toyota Center (PIC 7 & 8) in Houston, TX and American Airlines Center (PIC 9 & 10) in Dallas, TX) and I have to give the American Airlines Center the nod there, although it's only slightly more impressive. The atmosphere at NBA games and NCAA games is much, much different though.

As far as baseball is concerned, I love my own Baylor Ballpark in Waco, TX (PIC 11 & 12), but I am extremely biased. In all seriousness, I'd probably vote Wrigley Field (PIC 13 & 14) or Fenway Park (PIC 15 & 16) as the best baseball stadiums in the nation, although most other professional parks are newer, fancier, and have more gadgets, etc...

PIC 1 (Reliant Stadium):
http://www.photohome.com/pictures/texas-pictures/houston/reliant-stadium-2a.jpg

PIC 2 (Reliant Stadium):
http://www.mgreen.com/graphics/stadium/jubil1_1.jpg

PIC 3 (Cameron Indoor):
http://www.tunl.duke.edu/~kiser/family/cameron_indoor_3.jpg

PIC 4 (Carmeron Indoor):
http://www.lib.duke.edu/archives/images/buildings/cameron-ext-1940.jpg

PIC 5 (Allen Fieldhouse):
http://www.eslminiconf.net/october/fotos/strong.jpg

PIC 6 (Allen Fieldhouse):
http://raiderroundball.com/0205/allen1.jpg

PIC 7 (Toyota Center):
http://www.visithoustontexas.com/HoustonGallery/images/Toyota%20Center%202.jpg

PIC 8 (Toyota Center):
http://www.mgreen.com/graphics/images/toy_02.jpg

PIC 9 (American Airlines Center):
http://www.johnnyroadtrip.com/cities/dallas/images/aacenter1.jpg

PIC 10 (American Airlines Center):
http://www.seatdata.com/images/venue_american_airlines_center/samples/sample.jpg

PIC 11 (Baylor Ballpark):
http://superseriesbaseball.com/images/WacoBaylorPark.gif

PIC 12 (Baylor Ballpark):
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/bay/non-sport/school-bio/baseball_from1stbasestands-lg.jpg

PIC 13 (Wrigley Field):
http://www.mattklawitter.com/images/wrigley_5_7_05.jpg

PIC 14 (Wrigley Field):
http://arthill.smugmug.com/photos/27701157-L.jpg

PIC 15 (Fenway Park):
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/crm/mlb/2004/4%20-%20Boston/Fenway%20-%20Green%20Monster%202.JPG

PIC 16 (Fenway Park):
http://pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/photos/cambridge_boston/images/Fenway%20Park%20twilight.jpg


Special mention to Oklahoma State's Gallagher Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma...

http://images.google.com/url?q=http://www.lostinaustin.com/OSU/DSC01053.JPG
http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/Old_Lewis_Field/06-22-2003.A_Great_Shot_At_Gallagher_iba_Arena_the_Nations_Best.640-480.jpg

...to the Rose Bowl in California...

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/ucla/facilities/rosebowl2-lg.jpg
http://p.vtourist.com/1621174-Pasadena_Rose_Bowl-Pasadena.jpg

...and to Petco Park in San Diego, California:

http://suttonsolves.com/photos/pp311-17.jpg
http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u41/jwalk/large/26707327.petcopark3.jpg

I don't much like Soldier, it gives me the creeps. Maybe it's all the skyboxes.

Here's one oddball you might not have seen before. Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark.
:omg:
:omg:
:omg:

http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/AA/frisco1.jpg

http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/AA/frisco2.jpg

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2005/06/17/XGhhB6LN.jpg

http://www.ballparkreviews.com/frisco/frisco4.jpg

I do like Dr. Pepper/7up Ballpark, but IMO, the architectural style does not fit the Frisco (Texas) area at all. The design screams of something from the shores of Maine more than the plains of Tejas.

That being said, it's a beautiful ballpark.

The NFL sure doesn't push the size issue of stadiums the way that colleges do. No NFL stadium has over 90,000 seats, yet in Division #1-A college football, the arms race is on. What once belonged to Michigan's Big House alone (100,000+) now belongs to Ohio State, Tennessee, Penn State, etc.

And the arms race only continues. On one thread here, it showed a picture of what UT's stadium in Austin will look like when it maxes out at, I believe, 115,000.

College football is dominated by powerful football teams that seem to keep power for eternity. Each is referred to as the program, and part of the program that is every bit as important as the recruits on the field is the number of seats in the stands.

So clearly even 115,000 won't be the largest of these structures.

But what will be?

At what point do you encircle a rectangluar field with endless tiers and reach a capacity level where the far away seats would need a telescope to see the game.

Simply put: what's the highest this number can grow....and still work?

It has been officially announced that the San Jose Earthquakes will move to Houston. Tomorrow (12-16-05) the mayor, Bill White, will welcome the team to Houston at the city hall in the morning.
http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2005/downloads/RELIANT_STADIUM/Reliant.png
http://www.battelle.org/Environment/publications/EnvUpdates/Summer2001/images/houston.jpg

The NFL sure doesn't push the size issue of stadiums the way that colleges do. No NFL stadium has over 90,000 seats, yet in Division #1-A college football, the arms race is on. What once belonged to Michigan's Big House alone (100,000+) now belongs to Ohio State, Tennessee, Penn State, etc.

And the arms race only continues. On one thread here, it showed a picture of what UT's stadium in Austin will look like when it maxes out at, I believe, 115,000.

College football is dominated by powerful football teams that seem to keep power for eternity. Each is referred to as the program, and part of the program that is every bit as important as the recruits on the field is the number of seats in the stands.

So clearly even 115,000 won't be the largest of these structures.

But what will be?

At what point do you encircle a rectangluar field with endless tiers and reach a capacity level where the far away seats would need a telescope to see the game.

Simply put: what's the highest this number can grow....and still work?


Well the record is about 200,000 for the Maracana but of course that includes standing room as well.

I think the rule of thumb is that spectators need to be no more than 190 meters from the furthest part of the field. Though who decided this and how I'm not sure.

If I was guessing I'd say that 150,000 is about the maximum that can be accomodated in 'relative' comfort. Beyond that and I think the sheer logistics of having more people in a confined space would be overwhelming. How many toilet visits do 200,000 people require in 2 hours after all?

Isnt Reliant a little large for a soccer team??? They would be lucky to fill 1/3 of that place.

You no one of the reasons they have such large capacities is because most if not all of the college stadiums have benches not seats and none of those stadiums could pass regulations for most sporting organizations. Plus there are no roofs on most.

But the thing is, can these venues not to a certain extent rely on their university to provide the logistics to make an extremly large crowd possible?

use school facilities for pre-match stuff, events, the school´s parking spaces spread round. Students living there attending by just walking there and alumni travelling far arriving early to minimise congestion etc.

Colleges need large capacities as I understand it, not least to attract alumni back to the school (and make donations) where football is just part of an event and a seat is vital, the actual view less important. There is an acceptance, or expectations of pretty basic bench-seating and very few games making roofs irrelevant.

Having said that I would consider US football probably ok to watch from far away as it works from set-pieces. even from way-up there you should be able to see players as a coloured dot if nothing else and understand play by their movement.

also considering that there will be about 100,000 at each days play of next years ashes cricket test at the MCG watching a similar set piece game with a much smaller ball, well it doesnt seem to be an issue under the right circumstances.
combining this, well I would say only the impact on infrastructure is in the way of a 200,000 stadium, though construction cost would put it some years off.

european football is different. It is about quality and corporate income etc like the NFL and with many more games and also more teams per capita at similar levels it will mainly be about building an awful lot of high quality 30-60,000 venues.

If the UK, which in the days o standing had many venues above 100,000 , will ever get a really big venue again it will be for cricket. and I think it could realistically happen in a decade.
Demand is way up and growing. There are potential fortunes to be made by selling countless millions of high-priced test tickets for days on end, and the length of games mean less congestion as arrival is spread out.
It may sound unlikely, and is speculative about the popularity of cricket in the future but apparently they could have sold 100,000 tickets easily for all days in the ashes thats millions of tickets. The potential income is staggering and could be hard to turn down one day.

As has been stated I'd expect the kind of seating plays a large role, I'd guess benched seating at somewhere like the new Wembley or Fedex Field would give you a capacity well above 100,000. Also from what I'v heard when it comes to modern all seater stadiums the ideal size is around 60-70,000, go beyond that and the cost per seat starts to rise.

I just put the picture to show a memorable soccer game in Houston, but the team will play at Robertson Stadium, while the city makes plans to built a soccer specific stadium.

Robertson Stadium- 33,000
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/texas/houston_robertson.jpg