Football

15 Smallest College Football Stadiums, Ranked

Richard Janvrin Jun 08, 2025, 7:40 PM
min read
Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia
(Wikimedia Commons/BullDawg2021)
  • Fifth Third Stadium is the smallest college football stadium, housing just 10,200 fans.
  • Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium is a temporary site for Northwestern as a new Ryan Field is being built.
  • FIU’s Pitbull Stadium’s naming rights were purchased by the rapper Pitbull.

Part of examining college football odds includes the stadium and the fan base. Sure, it’s typically those with the biggest stadiums that tend to have the most ravenous fans, but some smaller stadiums do their best to replicate that big game feeling. 

While none of these teams are likely to be atop the football odds to win the national championship at the BetMGM online sportsbook, they all have their unique charm.

See them below. 

15 Smallest College Football Stadiums, Ranked

RankStadiumTeamCapacity
1Fifth Third StadiumKennesaw State10,200
2Elliott T. Bowers StadiumSam Houston14,000
3Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin StadiumNorthwestern15,000
4Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics ComplexHawaii15,194
5McColl-Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson StadiumCharlotte15,314
6Warren McGuirk Alumni StadiumUMass17,000
7Robert W. Plaster StadiumMissouri State17,500
8CEFCU StadiumSan Jose State18,203
9Delaware StadiumDelaware18,500
10Pitbull StadiumCoastal Carolina20,000
11Brooks StadiumOld Dominion21,000
12Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard StadiumWestern Kentucky21,944
13Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium at Jimmy Feix FieldJacksonville State22,113
14Burgess-Snow Field at AmFirst StadiumBall State22,500
15Scheumann StadiumFIU22,500

What Are the Smallest College Football Stadiums?

1. Fifth Third Stadium – Kennesaw State (10,200)

Nicknamed “The Fraction,” Fifth Third Stadium began as a soccer venue, but started to be used for football in 2015 when the Kennesaw State Owls became an FCS program. 

The official seating capacity is a mere 10,200. It’s been the site of games for other teams like Atlanta United 2 (soccer) and the Atlanta Blaze (lacrosse). 

2. Elliott T. Bowers Stadium – Sam Houston (14,000)

Home to the Sam Houston Bearkats, Bowers Stadium holds 14,000 people. The record attendance climbed to more than 16,000 in 1994 in a game against Alcorn State, which future NFL quarterback Steve McNair led. 

In August, the Texas State University System Board of Regents approved a $60 million renovation for the west side of the stadium. 

3. Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium – Northwestern (15,000)

For now, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium is the home for the Northwestern Wildcats. The program will have a new stadium (a new Ryan Field), expected to open in 2026. 

This is a much smaller stadium than the 47,000-plus capacity of Ryan Field. 

4. Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex – Hawaii (15,194)

Built in 2015, the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex can fit about 16,000 fans, including the standing room. It became home of the Rainbow Warriors’ football team in 2021 and remains the site for beach volleyball, women’s soccer, and track and field. 

There have been some enhancements to the field, including a 75-foot-wide video board. 

5. McColl-Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson Stadium – Charlotte (15,314)

Holding more than 15,000 fans, Jerry Richardson Stadium is the home to the Charlotte 49ers. The stadium is designed to accommodate future seating expansion of up to 40,000, although this has not yet occurred. 

In 2024, it was announced that a $70 million expansion would happen, increasing the size to more than 18,000 seats. 

 

6. Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium – UMass (17,000)

Opening in 1965, Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, also referred to as “The Junkyard,” is home to the UMass Minutemen. 

It can fit up to 17,000 fans. A renovation project included the addition of the Football Performance Center and a new press box to meet FBS standards. 

7. Robert W. Plaster Stadium – Missouri State (17,500)

Home to the Missouri State Bears, who are joining the FBS as a member of Conference USA in 2025, Robert W. Plaster Stadium holds 17,500 fans, which has been the capacity since 2014. The record attendance was 18,386 fans in 2014 in a 38-0 win over North Dakota. 

8. CEFCU Stadium – San Jose State (18,203)

Formerly known as Spartan Stadium, CEFCU Stadium now holds 18,203 fans, a decrease from the 21,530 it accommodated from 2019 to 2020. 

Previously, it had held more than 30,000 fans. However, renovations reduced seating to provide space for the Spartan Athletics Center. 

9. Delaware Stadium – Delaware (18,500)

The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens are also making the jump from FCS to the FBS and joining Conference USA in 2025 alongside Missouri State. Delaware Stadium has a capacity of 18,500. 

In 2020, the Whitney Athletic Center was introduced, featuring seating with chairbacks, press boxes, and additional amenities. 

10. Pitbull Stadium – FIU (20,000)

Home to the FIU Panthers, the stadium is located in Miami and is named after the rapper Pitbull. 

He purchased the naming rights to the stadium in August and is paying $1.2 million annually. It holds about 20,000 fans. 

11. Brooks Stadium – Coastal Carolina (21,000)

Home to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, Brooks Stadium holds about 21,000 fans. When it opened in 2003, it had a capacity of just 6,408 fans. 

There were significant renovations and expansions between 2017 and 2019 to accommodate FBS requirements. It has a teal artificial turf, giving it the nickname “Surf Turf.” 

12. Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium – Old Dominion (21,944)

Housing just under 22,000 fans, S.B. Ballard Stadium, previously known as Foreman Field, is home to the Old Dominion Monarchs. 

The stadium underwent a massive reconstruction that was completed before the 2019 season. It cost about $67.5 million. This included wider seats with back support, a better concourse, luxury suites, and more. 

13. Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium at Jimmy Feix Field – Western Kentucky (22,113)

Opening in 1968, Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium, also known as “The Houch,” has been the home of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers for more than five decades. 

Following an expansion in 2008, the seating capacity has increased to more than 22,000. The record attendance was 25,171 in a September 2021 game against Indiana. 

14. Burgess-Snow Field at AmFirst Stadium – Jacksonville State (22,500)

Home to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in Jacksonville, Alabama, AmFirst Stadium, previously known as the College Bowl, holds about 22,500 fans today. 

The record attendance was 23,944 fans on Sept. 23, 20217 against Liberty. 

There was an expansion from 15,000 to 24,000 before the 2010 season, but it’s been reduced to 22,500. 

It hosted the 2024 Conference USA title game, which Jacksonville State won, beating Western Kentucky 52-12. 

15. Scheumann Stadium – Ball State (22,500)

Scheumann Stadium is home to the Ball State Cardinals and has been since 1967. It was previously known as Ball State Stadium from 1967 to 2005. 

The seating capacity initially started at 16,319 fans but has since been increased to 22,500. A $13 million renovation was completed in 2007. This included new lighting for night games, lawn seating, concession stands, and more. 

Fun fact: Comedian and longtime TV host David Letterman, a Ball State alum, jokingly mentioned wanting the stadium named after him. However, it was named after the Scheumanns due to their financial contributions. 

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About the Author

Richard Janvrin

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Richard Janvrin is a content writer for BetMGM. His work is also published at sites like Forbes, WSN, Gambling.com, Legal Sports Report, and more. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire.

Richard Janvrin is a content writer for BetMGM. His work is also published at sites like Forbes, WSN, Gambling.com, Legal Sports Report, and more. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire.