The National Football League (NFL) is comprised of 32 teams across the United States. When it comes to stadiums, a majority of NFL teams play their home games outdoors in open-air stadiums rather than in domed stadiums. Here is a comprehensive look at how many NFL teams have outdoor home stadiums.
Overview of Outdoor NFL Stadiums
Currently, 26 out of the 32 NFL teams have outdoor or open-air stadiums. That means around 81% of NFL teams play their home games outside without a dome or retractable roof. This includes several teams that play in notoriously cold and wintery climates like Green Bay, Chicago, New England, Buffalo, and Denver.
Outdoor stadiums allow teams to embrace the unpredictable elements and climate changes of their home city. Fans bundle up during freezing temperatures or bake in the sun during early autumn games. Outdoor stadiums also provide a more authentic football experience, from vivid green grass to gazing up at open skies instead of a domed roof.
The remaining 6 teams with indoor stadiums are located in warmer climates or added roofs due to excessive rain. The NFL has favored outdoor stadium construction in recent decades, with most new venues opting for open-air designs.
Breakdown of NFL Teams with Outdoor Stadiums
Here is a detailed rundown of the 26 NFL franchises that play home games in open-air stadiums:
NFC Teams
- Arizona Cardinals – State Farm Stadium
- Atlanta Falcons – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Carolina Panthers – Bank of America Stadium
- Chicago Bears – Soldier Field
- Dallas Cowboys – AT&T Stadium
- Detroit Lions – Ford Field
- Green Bay Packers – Lambeau Field
- Los Angeles Rams – SoFi Stadium
- Minnesota Vikings – U.S. Bank Stadium
- New Orleans Saints – Caesars Superdome
- New York Giants – MetLife Stadium
- Philadelphia Eagles – Lincoln Financial Field
- San Francisco 49ers – Levi’s Stadium
- Seattle Seahawks – Lumen Field
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Raymond James Stadium
- Washington Commanders – FedExField
AFC Teams
- Baltimore Ravens – M&T Bank Stadium
- Buffalo Bills – Highmark Stadium
- Cincinnati Bengals – Paycor Stadium
- Cleveland Browns – FirstEnergy Stadium
- Denver Broncos – Empower Field at Mile High
- Jacksonville Jaguars – TIAA Bank Field
- Kansas City Chiefs – GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
- Las Vegas Raiders – Allegiant Stadium
- Los Angeles Chargers – SoFi Stadium
- Miami Dolphins – Hard Rock Stadium
- New England Patriots – Gillette Stadium
- New York Jets – MetLife Stadium
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Acrisure Stadium
- Tennessee Titans – Nissan Stadium
NFL Teams with Indoor/Domed Stadiums
The 6 NFL teams that play home games indoors are:
- Atlanta Falcons – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (retractable roof)
- Dallas Cowboys – AT&T Stadium (retractable roof)
- Detroit Lions – Ford Field (domed roof)
- Houston Texans – NRG Stadium (retractable roof)
- Indianapolis Colts – Lucas Oil Stadium (retractable roof)
- Minnesota Vikings – U.S. Bank Stadium (fixed roof)
The roofs allow these teams to avoid excessive rainfall or other weather issues. For example, Lucas Oil Stadium added a roof due to Indianapolis’ cold winters and regular snowstorms. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a unique eight-piece retractable roof that opens and closes like a camera lens.
Notable Outdoor NFL Stadium Features
While lacking a dome, outdoor NFL stadiums often incorporate special features and design elements to enhance the fan experience:
- Heated Fields – Several northern stadiums like Lambeau Field have built-in heating systems under the turf to melt snow. This allows for safer footing and less snow shoveling delays.
- Overhangs & Canopies – Stadiums like Soldier Field include extended overhangs and canopies to provide cover for some seating areas from rain and snow.
- Wind Barriers – Stadiums prone to strong winds like Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium have tall barriers and walls to block gusts. This helps maintain playability on the field.
- Sun Shades – Stadiums like State Farm Stadium in Arizona have huge retractable shades/sails that cover seats on hot, sunny days.
- Natural Grass – Most outdoor fields maintain natural grass rather than artificial turf, which many players prefer for safety and quality.
- Open Corners & End Zones – Newer outdoor stadiums are designed with open corners and end zones to maximize air flow and ventilation.
Conclusion
In the modern NFL era, around 80% of teams play in outdoor stadiums without domes or retractable roofs. These open-air venues embrace local conditions and provide classic football atmospheres. Cold weather cities like Green Bay, Chicago, and Buffalo have proudly played home games outdoors for decades. With proper field heating, rain barriers, and other features, outdoor stadiums allow teams and fans to brave the elements together. The few domed stadiums are mainly in hot or precipitation-prone cities. But outdoor football is still the preference across most NFL cities.