Environment is a phrase routinely heard when discussing faculty soccer, notably when evaluating the sport to its skilled counterpart, the NFL. The stadiums through which the video games are performed present a lot of that ambiance.

Whereas many NFL stadiums, notably the newer ones, appear and feel the identical each Sunday, faculty soccer stadiums have distinctive personalities. Some are gigantic, whereas others are a bit extra intimate. All are particular to those that name them dwelling, however some are higher than others.

With the Huge Ten including 4 new faculties and stadiums, it felt like an excellent time to rank the buildings the 18 groups within the league name dwelling. I’ve ranked them primarily based on their ambiance — the indefinable vibe you get from each place. Whether or not it is awe-inspiring dimension, the followers who fill them, or the tailgate scene, it is practically inconceivable to objectively outline the perfect of the perfect.

Properly, until you are me, it’s. I’ve finished it, and I am positive you’ll all agree that my rankings are immaculate.

1. Penn State – Beaver Stadium

The sheer dimension of Beaver Stadium (106,572) is spectacular sufficient, however the sound its occupants produce when the place is packed is eardrum-shattering, notably if it is a white-out recreation at night time. One other issue that typically goes unconsidered however makes a big effect is that, for probably the most half, the stadium is in the course of nowhere. That makes it the one present on the town in a whole lot of methods, and that ensures the individuals who present up are excited to be there.

2. Washington – Husky Stadium

I can already see the offended messages from Huge Ten followers outraged that I would embrace this newcomer so extremely, however belief me. When you go to the place, you will get it. Husky Stadium’s general capability of 70,138 ranks ninth within the league, however few buildings are as loud. The stadium’s design retains the sound from escaping, and the view of the bay and the sailgate scene are unmatched anyplace else within the league. It is a welcome addition to the league.

3. Michigan – Michigan Stadium

The primary time I noticed Michigan Stadium from the surface, I used to be unimpressed. For a spot referred to as “The Huge Home,” it did not look too massive. It wasn’t till getting into that the dimensions of the place slapped me within the face. Over 107,000 folks fill the stands on Saturdays within the fall, and there’s no escaping them. Opponents are fully surrounded, and the closest seats are virtually on the sidelines with the gamers.

4. Oregon – Autzen Stadium

Like fellow newcomer Husky Stadium, Autzen is a extra intimate venue in comparison with conventional Huge Ten stadiums. With a capability of 54,000, it is one of many smallest stadiums within the league, however it’s not the dimensions of the canine within the battle; it is the dimensions of the battle within the canine — or, on this case, the duck. You are surrounded, and the 54,000 folks inside are as loud as anyone within the nation, they usually’re very near the sector.

5. Ohio State – Ohio Stadium

Buckeyes followers will likely be livid about this, however whereas Ohio Stadium is big (capability of 102,780), and Buckeyes followers are a number of the most passionate (a pleasant option to name any person insane) within the nation, it is all the time bothered me how far-off the followers are from the sector. There’s an excessive amount of area on the sidelines. That could be greatest for the security of visiting groups, however it’s not superb for neutrals like myself.

6. Iowa – Kinnick Stadium

Kinnick Stadium will get loads of deserved love for “The Wave” custom of waving on the youngsters within the Stead Household Youngsters’s Hospital, however it’s additionally an incredible place to observe a soccer recreation. Even for a fan of a visiting workforce, I assure you that you will have an excellent time in Iowa Metropolis. Simply do not count on many factors to be scored through the recreation.

7. Wisconsin – Camp Randall Stadium

There’s nothing fairly like seeing the look within the eyes of any person visiting the press field at Camp Randall for the primary time at the beginning of the fourth quarter when the stadium begins to shake to the tune of Home of Ache’s “Soar Round.” It may be a bit scary however in a enjoyable approach. That mentioned, the ambiance exterior the stadium is usually extra pleasurable than the within.

8. Nebraska – Memorial Stadium

There most likely is not a nicer fan base within the Huge Ten than Nebraska’s. Cornhuskers followers will make a customer really feel at dwelling, and despite the fact that they need your workforce to lose, they need you to get pleasure from your go to and revel in a runza. If the soccer workforce had higher success in recent times, Memorial Stadium can be nearer to the highest 5, if not in it. Perhaps it will get again there quickly?

9. USC – Los Angeles Coliseum

There are two completely different LA Coliseums. There’s the stadium that’s rocking and filled with celebrities when the Trojans are good, and it is the cool place to be seen. Then there’s the model with too many empty seats when the Trojans aren’t at their greatest. Nonetheless, even when full, I can not rank it increased than many of the stadiums above it as a result of there’s an excessive amount of area between the followers and the sector.

10. Minnesota – Huntington Financial institution Stadium

It is the second-smallest stadium within the league, solely larger than Northwestern’s previous and soon-to-be-constructed new stadium, however it’s additionally the most recent stadium within the league. I perceive why some followers do not prefer it a lot, however I discover the place charming and comfy. In fact, I have never been there when it is extraordinarily chilly, and the way in which the stadium is constructed, the wind chill could possibly be a major problem at instances.

11. Michigan State – Spartan Stadium

We have now reached the portion of the rankings the place the standard of this system has a big affect on the stadium ambiance. When Michigan State is at its greatest, Spartan Stadium will be as loud as any stadium within the league. However when the Spartans are struggling, it may be uninspiring.

12. Illinois – Memorial Stadium

Renovations in recent times have made Memorial Stadium a extra nice place, and the tailgate scene exterior is best than you suppose. The issue is the workforce cannot put collectively profitable seasons constantly, which makes it troublesome to generate an unimaginable gameday atmosphere.

13. UCLA – The Rose Bowl

I really feel the necessity to level on the market’s a distinction between The Rose Bowl on New 12 months’s Day when it is the host of The Rose Bowl, and The Rose Bowl on a Saturday in September when UCLA is internet hosting any person from the Mountain West. Sure, it is a historic stadium in a phenomenal setting, however it will probably really feel like a mausoleum through the common season when the Bruins are struggling. There are a whole lot of issues to do in Los Angeles, and it’s essential be good to persuade followers to go up on different issues to come back to your video games.

14. Rutgers – SHI Stadium

I’ve by no means been to a Rutgers recreation, however I keep in mind how unimaginable the ambiance felt on tv practically twenty years in the past when the Knights started profitable below Greg Schiano. Given the struggles since becoming a member of the Huge Ten, there’s been an comprehensible apathy from followers in recent times, so I can not rank it any increased than this, however the potential is there.

15. Purdue – Ross-Ade Stadium

It isn’t certainly one of my favourite locations to observe a soccer recreation, sorry! The U-shaped design of the seats and decrease profile do not do a lot to create a raucous ambiance, and like most locations, the standard of the workforce enjoying there issues, too. It is virtually the antithesis of Mackey Enviornment, the place the basketball workforce performs.

16. Maryland – SECU Stadium

One other Huge Ten stadium I’ve but to go to, so I am compelled to rank it primarily based on the way it comes throughout on tv and from what those that have been there inform me. It is smaller than Ross-Ade, and like Ross-Ade, it is not in-built a approach that helps with the acoustics. Even when Maryland is profitable the place feels quiet on tv.

17. Indiana – Memorial Stadium

There are a bunch of things that work towards Indiana’s Memorial Stadium. Visually, it is not a lot to have a look at, although latest renovations have been an enchancment. It is small and infrequently full of rabid followers. Sometimes, when the stands are packed, it is because of guests making the journey. Lastly — whereas they’ve had some good seasons recently — by and huge, Indiana’s soccer workforce hasn’t produced the type of on-field success that attracts followers to the video games.

18. Northwestern – A observe discipline

The Wildcats will play on a observe discipline in 2024. It is on the shore of Lake Michigan, in order that’s cool. However once more, it is a observe discipline. There isn’t any approach I can rank it increased than final, although we’ll see how issues change when the Wildcats open their new stadium down the street.