The 28 Most Unique College Stadiums That Are Now Iconic Landmarks

17. The Palace on the Prairie: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Few stadiums in college football carry the sheer grandeur, history, and tradition of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, home of the Oklahoma Sooners. Dubbed the "Palace on the Prairie," this venue is a true collegiate coliseum, standing tall as a monument to the Sooners’ dominance and their place in college football royalty. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this 80,000+ seat behemoth is one of the most intimidating venues in the sport. From the moment you approach the stadium, its stunning red-brick façade and towering white columns reflect the grandeur of Sooner Nation. Unlike the typical steel-and-concrete stadiums that dot the landscape, Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium was designed to be a showpiece, blending timeless architecture with cutting-edge facilities that make it feel more like a historic landmark than just a football venue. Inside, the atmosphere is electrifying. The roar of 80,000+ crimson-clad fans, the unrelenting booms of “Boomer Sooner” from The Pride of Oklahoma marching band, and the thundering stampede of the Sooner Schooner racing across the field create a game-day experience unlike any other. The stadium's vertical seating arrangement, which puts fans almost on top of the field, makes it one of the loudest and most intimidating environments for opposing teams. When the Sooners are rolling, the stadium shakes with energy, making it a true fortress on the plains.