Big House ranked as third-best college football stadium by ESPN

There’s no argument that “The Big House”, where Michigan football plays its home games, is among the best stadiums in college football.

It might not be the loudest stadium in college football, but it has gotten louder over the years. It ranks as the No. 16 most difficult environment in EA Sports College Football 25, but it’s hard to believe there are 15 stadiums more difficult to win at than the Big House.

There were some lean years for Michigan football, but in the past three seasons, the Wolverines haven’t lost a single game at the Big House. Most of the wins have been blowouts with the 30-24 win over Ohio State last November serving as one of the few exceptions.

Where Michigan football stadium ranks among CFB’s best

With the 2024 college football season right around the corner, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg worked with other ESPN writers to rank college football stadiums and the legendary Michigan football venue comes in at No. 3.

“Size matters with stadiums and Michigan remains the largest by capacity at 107,601, edging fellow Big Ten venues Beaver Stadium (Penn State) and Ohio Stadium (Ohio State). In 2013, Michigan drew 115,109 for its game against Notre Dame, the largest crowd ever to attend a football game on campus. The listed capacity has ended in “01” since 1956 with the “extra seat” belonging to former Michigan coach and athletic director Fritz Crisler. The stadium went through a $227 million renovation in 2010 that brought club suites and private suites, and significantly increased the noise level around the large bowl. Games at “The Big House” — a phrase coined by former commentator Keith Jackson — begin dramatically with the Wolverines touching a “Go Blue” banner as they enter the field,” Rittenberg wrote.

The Rose Bowl and LSU’s Tiger Stadium were the two places that ranked ahead of The Big House and it’s hard to argue. Tiger Stadium might be the loudest stadium in college football.

In Pasadena, California, The Rose Bowl isn’t known for noise but it’s the most beautiful setting in sports, which made the Michigan football Rose Bowl win over Alabama even better.

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