Kansas City’s Arrowhead is No. 1 NFL stadium in more ways than one, national rankings say

Kansas City fans know the Chiefs have the best stadium in the NFL, and now the rest of the United States knows it, too.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, USA Today named GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium the best in two categories: Best NFL Stadium and Best NFL Stadium Food . Ten stadiums were selected by an expert panel for each category, and then readers voted for the best choice.

The stadium, built in 1972, has seen its fair share of legendary moments over the years. Arrowhead has played a key part in the hearts of Kansas City residents, from record-setting crowd noise and historic concerts to helping people vote during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and paying tribute to New York following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The news site praised the stadium’s pregame tailgate scene, where Kansas City barbecue is always on the menu before fans fill the 72,000-seat stadium. Arrowhead topped the list, beating Lumen Field in Seattle, Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

“GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is known around the league as being one of the loudest and most intense places to play,” USA Today said. “It even set a Guinness World Record for 142.2 decibels of stadium noise.”

The fans serve barbecue on the outside, but it was some of the options inside the stadium that helped Arrowhead Stadium claim the top spot on another list — for best NFL food.

USA Today highlights options like the Big Red Sandwich from Smoak BBQ , or brisket rangoon from fusion restaurant Buck Tui BBQ as fan favorites. The publication also praised the gluten-free options on menus at different concession stands.

“Autonomous stores and self-service kiosks cut down on the time, so the mouthwatering wait between eyeing elote nachos, or foot-long hot dogs, and sinking your teeth into them isn’t quite as excruciating,” USA Today said.

Kansas City beat Seattle and Denver again on this list, also finishing ahead of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and NRG Stadium in Houston.