Defensive Measures: Ranking the NFL’s Safest Stadiums for Fans

Football, you know, it’s often called a rough-and-tumble game. With a crazy 17-game schedule and bone-crunching tackles every week, it’s not hard to see why. But hey, it’s not just the players getting into the thick of it. Plenty of NFL fans have found themselves in some seriously shaky situations at games, whether it’s witnessing or falling victim to everything from rowdy behavior to straight-up theft. It’s like they’re gearing up for battle too, just to cheer on their favorite teams in person.

Not every stadium can earn the title of the safest NFL stadium, but some NFL venues have been more successful than others when it comes to fostering a safe environment for both season-ticket holders and visiting fans. 

These days, a trip to your favorite NFL stadiums can be a roll of the dice in some cities. For some fans, it means staying on guard, while for others, it’s just about soaking in the gridiron excitement. We dove deep into crime stats at each stadium and even polled over 3,000 die-hard football fans about their stadium experiences.

Key Takeaways

• 43% of NFL fans have witnessed a physical or verbal altercation at an NFL stadium
• Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, is the safest stadium in the NFL with just 9.36 total crimes per 1,000 residents living within the stadium’s zip code
• Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos, ranks as the most dangerous stadium in the league, with 74.14 crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Over 65% of fans at SoFi Stadium have witnessed violence, highlighting disparities in safety across venues.

The Safest NFL Stadiums

For some football fans, safety is more than just a defensive position on the field—it’s also about their experience at various NFL stadiums, especially in the AFC East.

It’s been five years since the New England Patriots have found themselves atop the division or the AFC as a whole, but they still rank at the very top for the safest NFL stadium. According to local crime data, Gillette Stadium has the lowest total crime, with just 9.36 per 1,000 residents living in the stadium’s zip code.

Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, witnesses 13.45 crimes per 1,000 residents within the zip code, followed by MetLife Stadium (New York Giants/New York Jets) with 16.83 crimes, which ranks third among NFL stadiums.

Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers) and Raymond James Stadium (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) round out the top five with 21.81 and 24.3 crimes, respectively.

All five stadiums also rank in the top five for the fewest property crimes, all with less than 20 per 1,000 residents.

Despite their propensity to break tables and throw the rowdiest of tailgates, Bills Mafia has the lowest violent crime rate at 0.33 per 1,000 residents. Gillette Stadium leads the way with the fewest property crimes among NFL stadiums, with just 6.87 per 1,000 residents.

The trio of AFC East stadiums are the only ones to make all three safest stadium lists, while Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers) and FedEx Field (Washington Commanders) join them among those with the lowest local violent crime.

Which NFL Stadiums are the Least Safe?

Even though some NFL stadiums have a solid reputation for safety, others struggle to make the cut. A staggering 43% of NFL fans have found themselves witnessing physical or verbal altercations at games.

Take SoFi Stadium, for example, where fans of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams have been more likely to witness trouble than see their teams score big wins. SoFi earned the dubious honor of being voted the league’s most dangerous stadium, with over 65% of attendees reporting violent incidents. In 2023, the Rams managed to win just 62.5% of their home games, while the Chargers lagged behind at a mere 22.2%.

For some fans, perception is not reality, as 59.6% of respondents stated Gillette Stadium was one of the stadiums where they felt the least safe, despite what the factual data says. 

The sentiment reigns true at both Levi’s Stadium and Highmark Stadium, as over half of fans feel unsafe within their confines, even with a second and third-safest ranking, respectively.

Now, which stadiums are ACTUALLY the most dangerous for NFL fans?

The Bronco’s home turf isn’t just known for its altitude; it’s also got a notable crime rate. Empower Field at Mile High tops the list as the NFL’s most dangerous stadium, with a concerning 74.14 crimes per 1,000 residents.

The NFC North also makes its mark among the league’s riskier venues. U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, comes in second with 66.28 crimes, closely followed by Detroit’s Ford Field at 66.09 crimes.

Rounding out the top five are EverBank Stadium, where the Jacksonville Jaguars roar, and Arrowhead Stadium, home turf of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Taylor’s Version

Even with the presence of Taylor Swift at most Kansas City home games, there still appears to be Bad Blood between Chiefs’ fans and those visiting Arrowhead Stadium to support the visiting team.

Or, if you’re a Swiftie, following the attendance of Taylor Swift can help determine the safest NFL environment for you. Swift attended 13 Chiefs’ games during the 2023-2024 season, including 7 games at Arrowhead Stadium, five road games, and Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

She was present for three road games during the regular season, watching the Chiefs against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, and the New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium.

All three are in the top five for the safest stadiums in the NFL, meaning if a venue is safe enough for Taylor Swift, it is safe enough for fans across the league.

Taylor Swift’s Upcoming U.S. Tour Dates and Stadium Safety:

Oct. 18-20: Miami – Hard Rock Stadium (27.05 total crimes per 1,000 residents)

Oct. 25-27: New Orleans – Caesars Superdome (60.98 total crimes per 1,000 residents)

Nov. 1-3: Indianapolis – Lucas Oil Stadium (43.82 total crimes per 1,000 residents)

Methodology

To learn about the safety of NFL stadiums, we surveyed 3,000 American football fans across all 32 fandoms in July 2024 The majority of respondents (65%) identify as male, 33% identify as women, and 2% as non-binary. We also collected local crime data from NeighborhoodScout.