Buzz
The word stadium often brings to mind something vast. Take AT&T Stadium, for instance. Serving as the home ground for the Dallas Cowboys, it can seat approximately 80,000, with room for 105,000 if standing areas are included. The venue spans an impressive 3.1 million square feet. Even larger is Michigan Stadium, the University of Michigan's home, with a capacity of 115,000.
While stadiums are typically massive, size alone doesn’t distinguish them from arenas. So, what truly separates the two?
The key difference between an arena and a stadium is whether the venue is fully enclosed. Stadiums are open-air structures with tiered seating surrounding a sports field or stage. They lack permanent roofs or walls.
In contrast, arenas are enclosed, protecting events from the weather. They also host sporting events like hockey and arena football, but they are generally smaller and more suitable for other performances, such as concerts or theater productions.
Stadiums can feature roofs—such as AT&T Stadium—but these are typically retractable. (Sometimes, temporary-roofed stadiums are referred to as domes.) Additionally, stadiums don’t always have to be massive. For example, Curtis Granderson Stadium at the University of Illinois has a seating capacity of just 1,800.
Another term that is often used is amphitheater. While it generally refers to a venue like a stadium, some places reserve the term for venues known for their exceptional acoustics. The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, for instance, is classified as an amphitheater.
The sound advantages of an amphitheater can come from architectural design, natural features, or a combination of both. Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, Colorado, is considered one of the best acoustically engineered venues in the world due to rock formations that help amplify sound.
Modern stadiums take significant inspiration from ancient architecture. For example, the Colosseum in Rome (which some classify as an amphitheater) influenced Ohio State’s stadium in 1922. Meanwhile, the legendary Circus Maximus, with its chariot races, dwarfs AT&T Stadium: historians estimate its capacity was between 150,000 and 250,000 spectators.
