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We already know football is a popular sport when it comes to watching games on TV and going to the games in person. But, have you ever wondered which games brought in the most packed house? NFL tickets are not cheap, but that doesn’t deter hundreds of thousands packing out stadiums across the land every week.
Throughout the timeline of the NFL, major conference championships and the Super Bowl of course tend to be the most viewed and most attended events. In this article, we’ll outline the top five highest-attended NFL games in football history, including when the game took place, who was playing and how many people made it to the game.
Super Bowl XI in 1977 not only showcased the fierce matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings but also made history by drawing an impressive crowd of 103,438 fans to the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This marked one of the most significant moments in NFL history, as the Raiders clinched their first-ever Super Bowl victory under coach John Madden, dominating the Vikings with a 32-14 win. The Rose Bowl’s expansive seating capacity was perfectly suited for the influx of fans eager to witness this historic event.
This Super Bowl stands out not only for its attendance but also for its significance in the league’s evolution. It symbolized the growing popularity of football, particularly as the Super Bowl was becoming a national cultural event by the late 1970s. The high attendance at Super Bowl XI reflects the sheer excitement surrounding the game, with fans drawn to see the Raiders’ powerful offense led by Ken Stabler and a defense that would later become known as the “Soul Patrol.” Today, it remains a benchmark for packed stadiums, with the Rose Bowl cementing its place as one of the NFL’s most celebrated venues.
In October of the 2005-2006 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers faced off in a regular season game that made history by drawing 103,467 fans to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This game was monumental not just for its attendance but for being the first-ever regular season NFL game played outside the United States. Estadio Azteca, already renowned for hosting massive crowds during international soccer matches, proved to be the perfect venue to host such an unprecedented NFL event.
What’s even more remarkable is the sheer loyalty of 49ers fans, who made up an estimated 75% of the crowd, or over 78,000 attendees. This overwhelming sea of red and gold created an electric atmosphere, making the event feel like a home game for San Francisco despite being thousands of miles away from the Bay Area. Although the Cardinals ultimately emerged victorious in a thrilling 31-14 performance, the game was about more than just the score—it was a celebration of the NFL’s growing global presence. By bringing professional football to an international stage with such resounding success, this matchup set the stage for future NFL ventures abroad.
The 1983 Super Bowl XVII brought the NFL back to the Rose Bowl, attracting a massive crowd of 103,667 fans eager to watch the Washington Redskins take on the Miami Dolphins. This game wasn’t just another championship—it was a showdown filled with history and anticipation. For the Redskins, it was a shot at redemption and their chance to claim their first-ever Super Bowl title. The stakes were equally high for Miami, as fans remembered their historic 17-0 perfect season capped by a win over the Redskins in Super Bowl VII a decade earlier.
The significance of this matchup drew fans from all over the country, making it one of the most talked-about Super Bowls of its era. The Redskins, led by John Riggins and his iconic 43-yard touchdown run, delivered a stunning performance, winning 27-17 and bringing joy to the long-suffering Washington fanbase. The atmosphere at the Rose Bowl was electric, with fans passionately cheering for both teams, creating an unforgettable experience for those in attendance. This game solidified the Super Bowl’s reputation as the pinnacle of sports entertainment and added another chapter to the NFL’s storied history.
Few Super Bowls have captured the hearts of fans quite like Super Bowl XIV in 1980, which brought in a staggering 103,985 spectators to the Rose Bowl. This clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers was notable not just for its attendance but for its historic implications. The Rams became the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home region, adding an extra layer of excitement for the local fans in Southern California.
The Rams entered the game as underdogs, having reached the Super Bowl despite winning only nine games during the regular season. Their Cinderella story captivated fans, while the Steelers, boasting the legendary Terry Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain defense, aimed to secure their fourth Super Bowl title in six years. The game itself was a thrilling contest, with the Rams keeping it close before the Steelers pulled away in the fourth quarter to win 31-19. The enormous crowd, passionate for both teams, added to the intensity of the matchup. Even decades later, Super Bowl XIV remains a shining example of the spectacle and grandeur that football can deliver on its biggest stage.
The 2009 NFL regular season game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants set an attendance record that has yet to be surpassed, drawing a mind-blowing 105,121 fans to the newly opened AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This wasn’t just any regular season game—it was the Cowboys’ first-ever home game at their state-of-the-art stadium, making it a historic occasion for the franchise. The venue, often referred to as “Jerry World” after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, was designed to be a spectacle, and it delivered in every way possible.
Fans packed the massive stadium to watch two fierce NFC East rivals go head-to-head in a high-stakes battle. The game itself lived up to the hype, with the Giants narrowly defeating the Cowboys 33-31 in a nail-biting finish. Despite the loss, the event was a triumph for the Cowboys organization, showcasing the unparalleled capacity and grandeur of AT&T Stadium. To this day, it holds the record for the highest-attended NFL game in history, a testament to the league’s ability to captivate massive audiences. Few events in sports can rival the energy and excitement of that night, where the combination of a modern venue, a historic rivalry, and over 105,000 passionate fans made for an unforgettable moment in NFL history.
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.