The best college athletic facilities blend functionality, innovation, and fan experience. Beyond providing top-notch amenities and cutting-edge technology, the facility should prioritize the athletes' needs, offering state-of-the-art training spaces, recovery areas, and equipment.
In no order, here are some of the top sports facilities of 2023:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide – University of Alabama
The home games for the University of Alabama's American football team are held at Bryant-Denny Stadium, situated in Tuscaloosa, with a seating capacity of 101,821. The team's practice sessions take place at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility, recognized as one of the top facilities in the nation.
Among its outstanding features is the recently established Sports Science Center, equipped with spaces dedicated to cryotherapy, chiropractic care, massage treatments, a relaxation room, and mental health recovery resources for the players.
2. Aggies – Texas A&M
The Texas A&M Aggies' Kyle Field is among the oldest stadiums in the top 10, alongside the Longhorns. Opening its gates on September 24, 1927, Kyle Field now boasts a capacity of 102,733.
The university's sports complex, Bright Football Complex, earned high praise from Wake Forest Coach Dave Clawson, who once dubbed it a “five-star resort.” Recently, the sports complex underwent a substantial renovation aimed at modernizing the entire facility and establishing it as the most cutting-edge and technologically advanced sports complex.
3. Oregon Ducks – University of Oregon
Despite being in operation for only nine years, the Ducks' football facility, valued at $68 million and spanning 145,000 square feet, remains impeccably modern. The locker room boasts luxurious features such as Ferrari leather chairs, marble showers, and self-cleaning lockers. In the players' lounge, Italian leather furniture, custom PlayStation consoles adorned with the Oregon Ducks' logo, and a football table provide a unique and comfortable space. Notably, the Ducks' home stadium, Autzen Stadium, is slightly smaller with a seating capacity of 54,000.
4. Clemson Tigers – Clemson University
The Clemson Tigers host their home games at Memorial Stadium, which accommodates up to 81,500 fans. In 2017, Clemson Football experienced a significant enhancement with the renovation of the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex. The remodel prioritized the players' experience, introducing amenities such as a basketball court, a miniature golf course, and multiple bowling alleys.
Here's a fun fact: To add an element of fun and save players some energy, a slide was installed.
5. South Carolina Gamecocks – University of South Carolina
Since 1934, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks have been hosting their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 77,559. Notably, recent years have seen substantial investments in the renovation of athletic facilities. A brand-new athletic center, unveiled in January 2019 with a price tag of up to $50 million, stands out for its impressive features. The center includes a spacious weight room, a luxurious locker room equipped with a jacuzzi and pool, and a large meeting room where players convene for tactical discussions.
6. Texas Longhorns – University of Texas at Austin
Situated in Austin, the Texas Longhorns' home is the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, boasting a capacity of 100,199 since its opening on November 8, 1924. As the Longhorns approach their 100th season at this iconic venue next year, a significant expansion project commenced in May 2019. The south side stands of the stadium have been extended by an additional 4,500 seats, accompanied by a substantial upgrade to the athletic facilities. The overall cost of this expansion and improvement initiative exceeded $175 million.
7. LSU Tigers – Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University calls Tiger Stadium its home, situated in Baton Rouge. Constructed in 1924, the stadium boasts a capacity of 102,321 visitors. Since 2019, the football team has enjoyed the benefits of a renovated athletic center, a project with a price tag of $28 million. In that very season, the Tigers experienced remarkable success, securing an undefeated record and making it to the playoffs.
8. Georgia Bulldogs – University of Georgia
The University of Georgia's champion football team in '21 and '22 hosts its home games at Sanford Stadium. Situated in Athens, Georgia, the stadium has a capacity of 92,746. Notably, the Bulldogs' athletic facility, known as Georgia's Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, has recently undergone a significant $80 million renovation. The hall now boasts a three-story sports complex, including a spacious fitness room with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the football fields, among other features.
9. Auburn Tigers – Auburn University
In 2022, Auburn University unveiled its new $91.9 million Woltosz Football Performance Center, a football-specific facility completed after commencing construction in March 2021. The center features a public lobby showcasing digital media boards and the team's BCS National Championship trophy. Among its highlights are a redesigned weight room with innovative Perch systems, an indoor practice facility with advanced technology and LED lighting, upgraded sports medicine areas, and an equipment innovation lab with a 3D printer. They also have two unique locker rooms—one with a lounge area and a concave video wall, and the other designed as an “armory” for gearing up. The facility also boasts a team meeting room inspired by professional sports facilities and position meeting rooms equipped with movable furniture and advanced projection technology.
10. Northwestern Wildcats – Northwestern University
Northwestern University's football team, the Wildcats, competes at Ryan Field, a stadium with a seating capacity of 47,130. The Wildcats' athletic facility underwent a significant renovation spanning from 2015 to 2018, now standing among the top college football facilities in the nation. The new complex, featuring scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, provides the Wildcats with opportunities to benchmark themselves against other Big Ten football teams.
Image Credit: Clemson Tigers/University of Oregon/Texas Athletics/LSU
