Most Walkable NFL Football Stadiums

[Wacca Pilatka]

Lake--I agree that the Ford Field ranking makes no sense, but I suspect it is because of the perception that walking to Ford Field is "dangerous."  I have read this more than once on travel sites.

EverBank's ranking seems about right, but I would posit (considering the water taxi and shuttle bus access) that it is MUCH more walkable than most of the stadiums ranked below it.  FedEx in particular, based on extensive personal experience.

[I-10east]

If a stadium is a dump (MOA Field, Qualcomm, Candlestick etc.) does that lower it's overall walkability score? JK

[Bewler]

Well Jax probably got that ranking because everyone knows it’s easier to tail gate when you drive.

[Coolyfett]

BS! Bs! No way in hell! This list is off.

[Coolyfett]

Too bad no one actual takes advantage of the walkability of the Rams stadium.

That area does look really nice, what do you mean by that?

[cline]

Too bad no one actual takes advantage of the walkability of the Rams stadium.

That area does look really nice, what do you mean by that?

It was a dig at their low attendance.  It was a joke.

[tufsu1]

I think these scores are off a bit....for example, Chalotte, Indy, and Seattle are about equal...and each is better than Cleveland, which is across a highway and RR tracks from the downtown core.

Except for the fact that you can take the Rapid down to Tower City and walk to the Stadium passing any number of bars, restaurants, etc, and clear the tracks and highway due to pedestrian bridges. There's nothing about going to a game at Cleveland Browns Stadium that even requires a car (unless you want to tailgate in the muni lot, and that's a different story).

sure, I get it....I walked to Cleveland's stadium and saw first hand the rapid transit stop...but my argument is that it is called WALKSCORE, meaning the existence of transit should be a factor, but not the major one....the only reason Qualcomm ranks so high is because there is an adjacent transit station, not because the area is remotely walkable.

[finehoe]

I'd like to see a ranking of the amount of economic development promised before these stadiums (stadia?) were built and how much actually occurred.

[Clem1029]

I think these scores are off a bit....for example, Chalotte, Indy, and Seattle are about equal...and each is better than Cleveland, which is across a highway and RR tracks from the downtown core.

Except for the fact that you can take the Rapid down to Tower City and walk to the Stadium passing any number of bars, restaurants, etc, and clear the tracks and highway due to pedestrian bridges. There's nothing about going to a game at Cleveland Browns Stadium that even requires a car (unless you want to tailgate in the muni lot, and that's a different story).

sure, I get it....I walked to Cleveland's stadium and saw first hand the rapid transit stop...but my argument is that it is called WALKSCORE, meaning the existence of transit should be a factor, but not the major one....the only reason Qualcomm ranks so high is because there is an adjacent transit station, not because the area is remotely walkable.

Not to completely divert the conv. specifically about that example, there's one important thing to point out here. That Rapid station by the Stadium (the waterfront line) isn't what I was referring to. Sure, one could take the Waterfront Line to the game - but it's so crowded that it's easier to get out at Tower City and WALK to the stadium past all the bars and restaurants I mentioned previously. I'd say Cleveland is about right on that list - the right combination of transit and walkabilty that Jacksonville DESPERATELY needs to take a page from.

[Overstreet]

The part I find interesting is that it talks about stadiums and errands. I'm not sure who this walk ability score is for. Is it for people that live or work at the stadium? ....Or the fans that come to see a game?  I've parked at the Daniel Building and walked to the stadium. I've parked at the Florida Rock Concrete plant and walked to the stadium. I've parked in permitted parking next to the stadium.  But I've never run and errand while I was at a game.

[blandman]

Interesting that Philly is so low...I'm an Eagles' season ticket holder and live more than 5 miles from the stadium and have walked/trained to every home game this season.  I get off at the Pattison (now AT&T) SEPTA Station and it's a 5 minute walk!

[stjr]

I noticed that the Charlotte organizers for the ACC championship next week are touting how they are at an advantage hosting this event by enabling their visitors to stay at downtown hotels, park once, and walk to all the weekend's events, festivities, and the game.  They specifically state that Jax and Tampa could not offer this.

Charlotte's layout will be much different than other cities like Tampa or Jacksonville that hosted the ACC in the past because everything will be within walking distance of the stadium.

http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/nc-news/ACC-Football-Championship-First-Year-In-Charlotte-110950209.html

The prime-time game is set to showcase the city at an all but sold-out Bank of America Stadium - just a walk away from 46,000 uptown Charlotte hotel rooms and 150 restaurants....

....Friday night, the conference is hosting "ACC Night of Legends" at the Charlotte Convention Center with a star from the past from each school and awards handed out to the season's best rookies, players and coach. The Jacobs Blocking, Brian Piccolo and Jim Tatum awards will also be handed out.

South Mint Street between Morehead and Stonewall/Graham streets will be closed at 6 p.m. Friday to set up the ACC FanFest, a variety of activities wrapping around the stadium from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The headline will be 90 minutes of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry, starting at 5:30 p.m.

"You don't even have to have a ticket to the game to have fun at this event," Newman said. "This is the first time the ACC championship game has had a center city experience for fans. The fans can literally park their cars and not have to get back in them until it's time to go home after the game.

"That wasn't the case in Florida."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/28/1873304/charlotte-hopes-to-give-acc-title.html

I also recently visited the new Amway arena in downtown Orlando and they have done a great job of integrating it with Downtown, even with I-4 going overhead.  One of the side streets is closed for Magic games and they have a street festival down it.  What is really nice is that the ground level of the parking garage that lines up opposite the arena has a multiple store fronts that are open during arena events onto the street festival.  Where are the store fronts in our arena garage?  Or any other Jax garage for that matter?

The more one travels to other downtowns, the more backwards ours appears to be.  And, it's not money, its long term vision and creativity.

[tufsu1]

true stjr....I think Charlotte is a good location for the ACC (albeit it could be cold at 7:30pm)

When FSU and Va Tech played in 2005, Jax. got 72,000...and remember, upper level seats are now $25 and $40!

[mtraininjax]

Charlotte weather for the gameday is mid 50s high, lows in the 30s. I hope they get some ice with that forecast. Would love seeing the ACC Commissioner with some frostbite on his hind parts!

[lewyn]

Given that football only happens once every week or two for just three or four months, there is no reason to expect football to trigger any development whatsoever.  A football stadium is the most useless possible land use short of something that is actually harmful.