Traditions run deep throughout the south and a school’s football stadium is more than just a place where college football games are played.
If the sport is our religion, the home stadium is the cathedral.
It’s a holy place that provides a spiritual-like afternoon and an intense sense of nostalgia that can move even the most casual fan to tears.
From Tennessee’s iconic checkerboarded Neyland Stadium to Athens’ Between the Hedges ––
each school’s stadium has its rituals and traditions that help make college football in the South the region’s favorite pastime.
Here, I’ll be ranking the most iconic stadiums in the SEC, looking at history, atmosphere and overall experience to determine the most iconic.
14. FirstBank Stadium (Vanderbilt University): Seating Capacity: 40,550 Year Opened: 1922 13. Kroger Field (University of Kentucky) Seating Capacity: 61,000 Year Opened: 1973
12. Davis-Wade Stadium (Mississippi State University): Seating Capacity: 60,311 Year Opened: 1914 11. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (Ole Miss): Seating Capacity: 64,038 Year Opened: 1915
10. Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium (University of Missouri) Seating Capacity: 61,620 Year Opened: 1926 9. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (University of Arkansas) Seating Capacity: 76,212 Year Opened: 1938
8. Williams-Brice Stadium (University of South Carolina): Seating Capacity: 77,559 Year Opened: 1934 7. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (University of Florida): Seating Capacity: 88,548 Year Opened: 1930
6. Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn University): Seating Capacity: 87,451 Year Opened: 1939 5. Neyland Stadium (University of Tennessee): Seating Capacity: 101,915 Year Opened: 1921
4. Sanford Stadium (University of Georgia): Seating Capacity: 92,746 Year Opened: 1929 3. Kyle Field (Texas A&M University): Seating Capacity: 102,733 Year Opened: 1927
2. Bryant-Denny Stadium (University of Alabama): Seating Capacity: 100,077 Year Opened: 1929 1. Tiger Stadium (Louisiana State University): Seating Capacity: 102,321 Year Opened: 1924
Why I ranked it here: Tiger Stadium, more fittingly known as Death Valley, is not only one of the most iconic, but also the most intimidating stadium in the SEC.
It’s nearly impossible to find a better college football atmosphere than on a Saturday night in Baton Rouge.
Tiger fans have no mercy and make it clear that visiting Death Valley is not for everybody. If you have not been to a tailgate and
witnessed Tiger fans cooking in their Cajun microwaves, you’re missing out. Fun is the name of the game in Baton Rouge.