The Top 10 Largest Stadiums in Missouri
The list of Missouri’s top 10 largest stadiums has changed over the past year. Adding a new Major League Soccer (MLS) soccer team and stadium in St. Louis has a new venue within the top 10, and more may be coming. Inclusive stadium venues are important revenue sources for cities and regions; the stadiums on this list are no exception. They provide enjoyment, camaraderie, pride, and financial gain for the areas in which they are located. As expected, the Show-Me-State’s largest city is also home to the largest stadium, classified by seating capacity.
1. Arrowhead Stadium, Seating Capacity of 76,416
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, is the largest stadium in the state, with a seating capacity of 76,416. Ranked by capacity, it is currently the fifth-largest NFL stadium, primarily serving as the home of the Kansas City Chiefs football team. The first game was played in September 1972. Arrowhead Stadium is one of the loudest stadiums in the league, with fan noise that can exceed jet engine levels. In 2021, the venue’s name officially changed to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to reflect the naming rights obtained by the Government Employees Health Association. Arrowhead Stadium is part of the Truman Sports Complex, only eight miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Forbes calls downtown Kansas City a top 10 downtown for its shopping, art, music, and entertainment experiences. Arrowhead Stadium will undergo renovations in preparation for it being a host stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
2. Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, Seating Capacity of 71,004
Historic Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium is part of the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri campus. It opened in 1926 and is the home of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Missouri Tigers college football team. Multiple stadium renovations have increased the capacity to just over 71,000 while keeping its traditional, historic feel. Faurot Field features a hill that overlooks the field, sitting just beyond the north end zone for fans to congregate and watch the games. The hill is just one historical aspect of the stadium. It was moved closer to the field in 2013 to allow for other expansions. A large rock “M” that was carved by the 1927 freshman class lies at the stadium’s north end zone and is considered one of the nation’s more unique landmarks. It is 90 feet wide and 95 feet tall. Columbia, Missouri, nicknamed “College Town USA” for its unique mix of sophistication with small-town charm and lifestyle, is in central Missouri.
3. The Dome at America’s Center, Seating Capacity of 66, 965
The Dome at America’s Center flanks one side of the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis. Previous names include the Trans World Dome (1995 to 2001) and the Edward Jones Dome (2002 to 2016). The Dome is part of the larger America’s Center Convention Center, and is a multi-purpose stadium initially built in 1995 as a way to get NFL Football back in St. Louis. The Dome became home to the St. Louis Rams, who relocated there from Los Angeles in 1995. In 2015, however, the team relocated back to Los Angeles amid ownership turmoil and questionable behind the scenes planning. It is currently the home of the BattleHawks, and is used for major events, conventions, and sporting events. In 1999, the Dome hosted a mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II. Located in downtown St. Louis, the Dome at America’s Center offers all that a downtown lifestyle can offer, including quality restaurants, sporting and concert events, tourist attractions, outdoor festivals, and nightlife, all within walking distance.
4. Busch Stadium, Seating Capacity of 46,861
Busch Stadium serves as the home of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, and reports a seating capacity of 46,861. It is a retro-style ballpark that celebrated its groundbreaking in January, 2004. The stadium is actually built on a portion of the same footprint of the stadium it replaced, and for a time, fans attending games at the old stadium could view the new stadium being built. Before finishing the construction on Busch Stadium, the old stadium had to be completely demolished and removed. Busch Stadium flanks the opposite leg of the Gateway Arch as the Dome at America’s Center, and enjoys the same benefits of downtown activities. Within walking distance, visitors can find recognized restaurants, high level shows and music events, additional sporting events, quality shopping experiences, tourist activities, and greenspace.
5. Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Seating Capacity of 39,000
Kauffman Stadium, referred to as “The K”, is the home of the Kansas City Royals Majpor Leage Baseball Team. It opened in 1973 as Royals Stadium, and renamed in 1993 to Kauffman Stadium in honor of Ewing M. Kauffman, the Royal’s first owner. The stadium is part of the Truman Sports Complex, and sits across the street from Arrowhead Stadium. Rather than being a multi-use stadium as most were at the time, Kauffman Stadium was built as a baseball-only stadium. The K underewnet a massive $250 million renovation from 2007-2009. In 2022, the Royals announced plans to construct a new stadium in either the East Village neighborhood or in North Kansas City before their current lease agreement expires in 2030.
6. CityPark Stadium, Seating Capacity of 22,500
CityPark Stadium is new, open air, state-of-the-art soccer venue centrally located in Downtown West, St. Louis, along a corridor that will ultimately connect the Gateway Arch with St. Louis’s iconic Forest Park. The venue is home to St. Louis City SC, one of the most successful Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion teams in history. It officially opened November 16, 2022, inserting itself in the top 10 Missouri stadiums in seating capacity with a capacity of 22,500. The pitch is 40 feet below street level, increasing the fan and player experience. Every seat is within 120 feet of th playing pitch, with the closest seats being a remarkable 15 feet from the touchline. All vendors are local, giving the venue a true hometown feel. There are fan entrances on allsides, with a main entry plaza for pre and post game concerts, parties, and gatherings. The stadium is 250 feet from another downtown attraction, Union Station. Views from within the stadium promote a strong visual connection to the nearby Downtown West District, including stunning nighttime views of the giant ferris wheel overlooking the city.
7. Enterprise Center, Seating Capacity of 22,000
The Enterprise Center is also in downtown St. Louis. It is the home of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. With a capacity of 22,000, it is also a popular venue for concerts, touring shows, national speakers, and college basketball. The Enterprise center opened in 1994. It has had numerous previous names, including the Kiel Center (1994-2000), the Savvis Center (200-2006), and Scottrade Center (2006-2018). The Enterprise Center has previously been home to the St. Louis Basketball Billikens (NCAA), various indoor football and soccer teams, and a St. Louis based roller hockey team. It has also hosted legendary names in music, including Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and U2, as well as being a regular location for professional wrestling.
8. T-Mobile Center, Seating Capacity of 19,252
The T-Mobile Center is a premium sports and entertainment venue in Kansas City, Missouri. Originally called the Sprint Center, it was renamed in 2020 after the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile. The venue opened in 2007 in the hopes of enticing an NHL or NBA team to come to downtown Kansas City. While that vision hasn’t materilaized as of yet, the discussions are always ongoing. T-Mobile Center is a popular venue for college basketball tournaments and championships. Additionally, the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team plays some of its home games there. The venue was the first in Missouri to host a UFC event in 2017 and has also hosted indoor football and the Professional Bullriders Series. More than 12 million guests have passed through thte doors of T-Mobile Center since its opening in 2007.
9. Family Arena, Seating Capacity of 11,522
Family Arena is a multi-purpose arena in St. Charles, Missouri. It is less than eight miles from Lambert International Airport and only two miles from the historic St. Charles Historic District. In addition to being the home of the St. Louis Ambush of the Major Arena Soccer League, the Family Arena hosts additional sporting events, circuses, concerts, and ice and trade shows. Additionally, the venue is a prime location for large-scale business or religious events, pro wrestling competitions, and high school and college commencement ceremonies. The St. Charles Historic District is the site of the first European settlement on the Missouri River. It is also the site of the first embarkation of Lewis and Clark’s exploration adventures along the Missouri River. The brick-lined streets of the quaintly restored historic district offer walkable dining and shopping experiences to find unique specialty items and one-of-a-kind gifts.
10. Municipal Arena, Seating Capacity of 10,700
Kansas City’s Art Deco Municipal Auditorium Complex houses four distinct and versatile venues. One of those venues is the Municipal Arena. The Municipal Arena connects directly to a conference center, an underground parking garage, and a downtown hotel walkway system. It often plays host to Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament, and is the permanent host of the NAIA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. Over 80 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games have taken place here, including 9 Final Fours.
As you can see by this list, the largest stadiums naturally fall into the most populated areas of the state. The list will have another newcomer in the top 10 largest stadiums in Missouri when Kansas City completes their stadium project for the KC Current, a womens professional soccer team. It is the first soccer-specific stadium built exclusively for an NWSL team. The expected seating capacity is 11,500, which would secure a slot in the top 10 largest stadiums in Missouri.