Common Myths About the Oldest NFL Football Stadiums
The narrative around the oldest NFL football stadiums is littered with half-truths and oversimplifications. One persistent myth is that these venues were uniformly primitive, their conditions so dire they threatened player safety. While it’s true that some lacked modern amenities, many were state-of-the-art for their time—built with reinforced steel, artificial turf (a novelty in the 1960s), and seating capacities that dwarfed contemporary college stadiums. Another misconception is that all early NFL stadiums were single-purpose facilities. In reality, several were multipurpose venues, hosting baseball games, track meets, and even political rallies, reflecting the era’s economic pragmatism. Equally misleading is the assumption that these stadiums were uniformly abandoned due to poor attendance or financial failure. Some closed because the NFL outgrew them, while others were demolished to make way for highways or commercial development—a casualty of urban renewal projects that prioritized progress over preservation. The oldest NFL football stadiums also didn’t all suffer the same fate: a few were repurposed for other sports, and one even became a concert venue before falling into disrepair. The confusion stems from a tendency to romanticize the past while overlooking the practical realities that shaped these structures’ lifespans.Myth 1: The Oldest NFL Stadium Was Always in Use by the Same Team
The idea that a single franchise occupied the oldest NFL football stadiums from opening day to closure is a convenient but inaccurate simplification. Most of these venues were shared among multiple teams, often due to financial constraints or league realignment. For example, the oldest surviving NFL stadiums—like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—hosted not just football but also college games, Olympic events, and even the 1984 Summer Games. The NFL’s early years were marked by frequent relocations and shared tenancies; teams like the Rams and Raiders moved multiple times, leaving behind stadiums that became temporary homes for others. Even when a team did occupy a stadium for decades, it wasn’t always by choice. The Cleveland Browns, for instance, played at Lake View Stadium (now demolished) for over 30 years, but the facility was originally built for baseball and repurposed for football. The Browns’ departure in 1995 wasn’t due to stadium failure but to the team’s relocation to Baltimore—a decision tied to financial struggles and league politics, not the venue’s condition. The oldest NFL football stadiums were rarely the exclusive domain of a single franchise, making their histories more complex than the myth suggests.Myth 2: All Early NFL Stadiums Were Demolished Because They Were Unsafe
The demolition of many early NFL stadiums is often framed as a failure of engineering or foresight, but the truth is more nuanced. Some structures were indeed aging, but others were torn down for reasons unrelated to safety—urban development, shifting team priorities, or league-wide expansion. The oldest NFL football stadiums that met their end weren’t necessarily death traps; many were simply outmoded by the sport’s growing demands. For instance, the Yankee Stadium (1923–2008) was demolished not because it was unsafe, but because it couldn’t accommodate the Yankees’ baseball operations alongside NFL games without major renovations. Similarly, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—one of the oldest NFL football stadiums still in use—has undergone multiple renovations to remain viable. The coliseum’s longevity isn’t due to neglect but to adaptive reuse and political will. The myth of universal demolition ignores the fact that some of these stadiums were repurposed for other events, like the Soldier Field in Chicago, which hosted concerts and corporate events between NFL tenures. Safety was a factor in some cases, but economic and logistical considerations played an even larger role.Myth 3: The Oldest NFL Stadiums Were All Built in the 1920s
While the 1920s saw the construction of several iconic NFL venues, the league’s earliest stadiums span a broader timeline, with some dating back to the late 19th century. The oldest NFL football stadiums include structures like Wrigley Field in Chicago (1914), which hosted NFL games as early as 1933, and Fenway Park in Boston (1912), though the latter was primarily a baseball venue. Even the Green Bay City Stadium (1924) was preceded by Hagenbowl (1917), which briefly hosted NFL games in the 1920s before being replaced. The misconception arises from focusing on the NFL’s formalized era in the 1930s, when the league began standardizing stadium requirements. The pre-1920s venues were often shared with other sports leagues, including college football and baseball, making their NFL ties secondary. For example, Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge (1924) was built for LSU football but later hosted NFL games in the 1960s. The oldest NFL football stadiums weren’t all purpose-built for the league; many were repurposed or shared, reflecting the sport’s early years as a secondary priority in American athletics.
What Holds Up to Scrutiny
At the core of the oldest NFL football stadiums’ legacy is their role as architectural time capsules. Unlike modern venues designed for maximum revenue generation, these stadiums were built with durability in mind, often using materials like reinforced concrete and steel that have proven surprisingly resilient. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, for instance, has hosted NFL games since 1960 and remains in use today, its original structure largely intact despite superficial updates. Similarly, Soldier Field in Chicago, opened in 1924, underwent a controversial renovation in 2003 that preserved its historic exterior while modernizing its interior—a rare example of adaptive reuse in sports architecture. What also endures is the cultural imprint of these stadiums. The oldest NFL football stadiums were more than just playing fields; they were community hubs where fans gathered long before tailgating became an industry. The Yankee Stadium of the 1920s, for example, was a symbol of New York’s athletic dominance, while Lake View Stadium in Cleveland embodied the city’s working-class pride. Even in decline, these venues retained emotional value, serving as backdrops for local legends and near-misses. Their stories aren’t just about football but about the cities that shaped—and were shaped by—the game."These old stadiums weren’t just places to watch a game; they were the heart of the neighborhood. You’d see the same faces every week, the same families, the same traditions. That’s what’s missing now." — Steve Sabol, NFL Films historian (1940–2012)
| Common Belief | What the Evidence Says |
|---|---|
| All early NFL stadiums were unsafe and fell into disrepair. | Many were well-maintained; demolitions were often economic or logistical decisions. |
| The oldest NFL stadiums were all built in the 1920s. | Some predate the 1920s, including repurposed baseball and college venues. |
| These stadiums were exclusively for NFL games. | Most were multipurpose, hosting baseball, track, and civic events. |
| No team ever stayed in one of these stadiums for decades. | Teams like the Rams and Browns occupied venues for 30+ years before relocating. |
Why the Confusion Persists
The NFL’s modern identity—defined by billion-dollar franchises, global broadcasts, and state-of-the-art stadiums—often overshadows its humble origins. The league’s early years were marked by financial instability, with teams frequently relocating or folding, making it difficult to trace clear ownership histories for the oldest NFL football stadiums. Additionally, the rise of retro revivals in the 1990s and 2000s led to a selective nostalgia, where certain venues (like the original Yankee Stadium) were celebrated while others were erased from public memory. There’s also a generational disconnect. Fans who grew up with modern stadiums struggle to grasp the scale and significance of venues like Braves Field in Boston or Milwaukee County Stadium, which were landmarks in their time but are now obscure. The NFL’s official archives, while comprehensive, often prioritize recent history, leaving early stadiums as footnotes. Without active preservation efforts, these structures—and their stories—risk fading entirely.
Conclusion
The oldest NFL football stadiums are more than relics; they are living documents of a sport in transition. Their stories challenge the narrative that progress always means demolition or irrelevance. Some, like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, have adapted to survive, while others, like the original Tiger Stadium, exist only in photographs. What unites them is their role as silent witnesses to football’s growth—a growth that often left them behind. Preserving these venues isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about understanding how sports and cities evolve together. The oldest NFL football stadiums remind us that the game’s modern trappings—luxury suites, Jumbotrons, and retractable roofs—are just one chapter in a much longer story. As the league continues to expand, there’s a quiet urgency to recognize these structures before they’re lost forever, not as museum pieces, but as integral parts of America’s athletic heritage.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Which is the oldest NFL stadium still in use today?
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (opened 1923) is the oldest NFL stadium still hosting regular-season games, though it’s primarily used for college football and special events. The oldest NFL football stadiums in continuous use for the league include Soldier Field (Chicago, 1924) and Lambeau Field (Green Bay, 1957), though the latter was rebuilt in 2013.
Q: Were any of the oldest NFL stadiums originally built for baseball?
Yes. Wrigley Field (Chicago, 1914) and Fenway Park (Boston, 1912) both hosted NFL games in the 1920s and 1930s, though they were primarily baseball venues. Yankee Stadium (1923) also began as a baseball park before becoming a dual-purpose stadium. Many early NFL teams played in shared facilities due to limited options.
Q: Why were some of these stadiums demolished?
Demolitions were rarely due to structural failure. Common reasons included: urban redevelopment (e.g., Lake View Stadium in Cleveland), team relocations (e.g., Bulldog Stadium in Atlanta), or the need for larger, more versatile venues (e.g., Yankee Stadium in 2008). Economic factors—like the cost of renovations—often played a bigger role than safety concerns.
Q: Can you visit any of the demolished oldest NFL stadiums?
Few remnants remain, but some sites offer glimpses into their past. The original Yankee Stadium’s entrance gates were preserved at Monument Park, and Lake View Stadium’s demolition site is now a parking lot with historical markers. For others, like Tiger Stadium, only photographs and oral histories exist.
Q: Which of the oldest NFL stadiums had the most unusual repurposing?
Soldier Field in Chicago stands out. After the Bears left in 1971, it became a concert venue (hosting artists like The Rolling Stones) and even a corporate event space before the NFL returned in 2003. The Coliseum in Los Angeles also hosted the 1984 Olympics, blending sports and global events in a way rare for NFL venues.
Q: Are there any plans to preserve these stadiums?
Efforts are limited but growing. The National Football Foundation has documented several, and grassroots groups advocate for historical markers. However, most preservation work focuses on modern retrofits (like Lambeau Field’s 2013 renovation) rather than restoring original structures. The biggest obstacle is land value—many sites are now prime real estate.
Q: Which of the oldest NFL stadiums had the most famous near-miss moments?
The original Yankee Stadium is legendary for its 1958 Giants game, where the scoreboard malfunctioned during a crucial play, and for Joe DiMaggio’s final home run in 1951. Lake View Stadium in Cleveland hosted the 1950 NFL Championship, where the Browns nearly upset the Rams in a dramatic finish. These venues were often stages for unforgettable drama.
