Legends of the Gridiron America's Most Iconic Stadiums State by State

35. Ohio – Ohio Stadium (Capacity: 102,780)

Ohio Stadium—fondly termed “The Horseshoe” or simply “The Shoe”—is a titan in Columbus, holding about 102,780 fans for Ohio State Buckeyes football. Opened in 1922, its distinctive horseshoe shape originally seated fewer than 70,000, but expansions ramped that figure up into six digits. Steeped in Big Ten lore, the stadium’s “Script Ohio” pregame performance by the Ohio State Marching Band is among college football’s most revered traditions. Each autumn Saturday becomes a spectacle of scarlet and gray, with the echo of “O-H-I-O” chants swirling from end zone to end zone. Recent modernizations introduced high-tech scoreboards, refined seating, and enhanced hospitality areas—yet the stadium’s historical essence, especially its iconic rotunda entrance, remains intact. Fierce rivalries, particularly the storied clash with Michigan, have cemented Ohio Stadium in gridiron legend. Whether hosting late-season snow games or bright noon kickoffs, “The Shoe” stands as a shrine to the unwavering passion of Buckeye Nation.