How Many Indoor NFL Stadiums Exist? (Comprehensive 2026 Guide)

As of the 2026 NFL season, there are 10 stadiums in the National Football League that feature either a fixed roof or a retractable roof system. These venues are specifically designed to provide a climate-controlled environment, ensuring that gameplay, fan comfort, and broadcast quality remain unaffected by external weather conditions like rain, snow, or extreme heat.

The landscape of NFL architecture has shifted dramatically over the last three decades. While the league’s history is rooted in "frozen tundras" and mud-soaked defensive battles, the modern era prioritizes multi-purpose utility, player safety, and the "stadium-as-an-experience" model. Building an indoor or retractable-roof stadium is a massive financial undertaking, often exceeding $1.5 billion, but it guarantees a venue can host lucrative non-football events such as the NCAA Final Four, major concert tours, and the Super Bowl.

Understanding the current count of indoor stadiums requires looking at three distinct categories: traditional fixed domes, modern retractable-roof venues, and "canopied" structures that blur the line between indoor and outdoor.

The Categorization of Indoor NFL Stadiums

To accurately answer how many indoor stadiums exist, we must define what "indoor" means in a modern engineering context. For the purpose of this guide, a stadium is considered indoor if the playing surface is entirely protected from precipitation.

1. Fixed-Roof Domes: These are permanently sealed structures. The climate is 100% controlled, and the environment is static.
2. Retractable-Roof Stadiums: These venues feature massive mechanical panels that can open or close depending on the weather. When closed, they function identically to a dome.
3. Translucent/Canopied Stadiums: These are permanent roof structures (like SoFi Stadium) that cover the field but may have open-air sides to allow for natural ventilation while still preventing rain from reaching the turf.

Detailed Breakdown of Fixed-Dome Stadiums

There are currently four primary fixed-dome stadiums in use in the NFL. These venues do not have the option to "open up" to the sky, but modern materials have made them feel significantly more "outdoors" than the concrete bunkers of the 1970s.

Caesars Superdome (New Orleans Saints)

The Caesars Superdome is the elder statesman of indoor NFL venues. Opened in 1975, it has survived hurricanes and underwent massive renovations between 2020 and 2025 to modernize its concourses and technology. Unlike newer domes that use glass or translucent membranes, the Superdome is a classic steel-frame structure. It remains one of the loudest environments in the league due to its acoustic properties, which trap and reflect crowd noise back toward the field.

Ford Field (Detroit Lions)

Opened in 2002, Ford Field was a pioneer in integrating historical architecture into a modern dome. The stadium incorporates a former Hudson's warehouse, which now houses the luxury suites. Large glass windows at the corners of the stadium allow natural light into the bowl, a design choice meant to mitigate the "basement" feel of older domes like the now-demolished Pontiac Silverdome.

U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings)

Completed in 2016, U.S. Bank Stadium represents the "Glass Palace" era of NFL design. While it is a fixed-roof stadium, more than half of the roof is made of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), a clear plastic-like material that allows sunlight to reach the field. This gives the stadium an outdoor feel without the sub-zero temperatures of a Minnesota winter. It also features the world's largest pivoting glass doors, which can open to the city skyline on mild days.

Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)

The newest fixed-dome facility, Allegiant Stadium (opened in 2020), is known as "The Death Star" for its sleek, black exterior. While the roof is fixed (translucent ETFE), the stadium is unique because it features a retractable grass field. The natural turf sits on a giant tray that slides outside into the Nevada sun when not in use, ensuring the grass stays alive while the game is played in a fully air-conditioned interior.

Detailed Breakdown of Retractable-Roof Stadiums

There are five stadiums that utilize retractable roof technology. These systems allow teams to play in the sun during the early fall and seal the building during inclement weather or extreme heat.

AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys)

Commonly known as "Jerry World," AT&T Stadium (2009) redefined the scale of NFL venues. Its retractable roof is supported by two of the largest arches in the world. When the roof is closed, the stadium is a massive climate-controlled hall; when open, it reveals a massive rectangular aperture over the field. It also features large retractable end-zone glass doors to enhance airflow.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons)

Opened in 2017, this stadium features one of the most complex engineering feats in sports: a "pinwheel" roof. Eight translucent petals slide open and closed, resembling a camera shutter. It was designed to be a centerpiece of the Atlanta skyline, though the complexity of the roof led to several operational delays during its first two years of service.

Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)

Lucas Oil Stadium (2008) was built with a retro aesthetic, using red brick to mimic traditional Indiana fieldhouses. Its retractable roof is unique because it is peaked, moving along two massive rails. It also features a giant movable window wall at one end of the stadium, providing a view of downtown Indianapolis even when the roof is closed.

NRG Stadium (Houston Texans)

NRG Stadium was the first NFL venue to feature a retractable roof when it opened in 2002. Given Houston's humidity and heat, the roof is closed for the majority of games. The design features two large panels that meet over the 50-yard line. Like Allegiant Stadium, NRG was designed to accommodate both football and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)

This venue (2006) was the first in North America to combine a retractable roof with a retractable grass field. The roof is made of two translucent PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) fabric panels. Because of the desert heat, the stadium's cooling system is among the most powerful in the world, capable of dropping the temperature 30 degrees in a matter of hours.

The SoFi Stadium Distinction

SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Rams and Chargers) is often the subject of debate when counting "indoor" stadiums. Technically, SoFi is a canopied stadium. It has a permanent, fixed roof made of ETFE that covers the entire playing surface and the surrounding pedestrian plaza. However, the sides of the stadium are open to the air.

In the eyes of the NFL and most architectural experts, it is categorized as an indoor/covered venue because the field is 100% protected from rain. It does not have an air-conditioning system in the traditional sense; instead, it relies on the ocean breeze and the ETFE canopy to keep the temperature regulated. For the 2026 count, SoFi is included in the "indoor" total.

Technical Comparison of Indoor NFL Stadiums

The Impact of ETFE on Modern Stadiums

The shift from dark, concrete domes to bright, airy indoor stadiums is largely due to ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene). This fluorine-based plastic is extremely lightweight (about 1% the weight of glass), highly durable, and transparent.

Before ETFE, domes were often gloomy and required massive amounts of artificial lighting. Today, stadiums like U.S. Bank and SoFi use ETFE to allow natural light to nourish the atmosphere (and in some cases, the fans' vitamin D levels) while blocking harmful UV rays and keeping the wind and rain out. This material has effectively ended the era of the "traditional" dark dome in NFL architecture.

Future Developments: The 2027 Horizon

While the current count in 2026 stands at 10, the number is set to increase. The New Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2027. This venue will feature a permanent, non-retractable ETFE roof, making it the 11th indoor/covered stadium in the NFL.

Similarly, the Jacksonville Jaguars have proposed the "Stadium of the Future," which would feature a permanent canopy similar to SoFi Stadium. As the NFL continues to lean into the "entertainment hub" model, the trend toward climate-controlled environments is expected to continue, potentially leaving only a handful of true "open-air" stadiums in cold-weather cities by the mid-2030s.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Indoor Stadiums

Advantages

• Event Certainty: Neither the league nor the fans have to worry about weather-related delays or cancellations. This is vital for the Super Bowl, which is now almost exclusively awarded to indoor or warm-weather cities.
• Revenue Generation: These venues can host concerts, trade shows, and other sporting events (like the NCAA Final Four) year-round, which is essential for recouping the multi-billion dollar construction costs.
• Fan Comfort: Air conditioning and heating ensure a premium experience, which justifies higher ticket prices and luxury suite sales.

Disadvantages

• Surface Safety: Most indoor stadiums use synthetic turf. There is ongoing debate and data suggesting that non-contact injuries may occur more frequently on artificial surfaces compared to natural grass. Only Allegiant and State Farm stadiums have successfully implemented the "slide-in" grass tray system to mitigate this.
• Cost: Retractable roof systems add hundreds of millions of dollars to the budget and require significant ongoing maintenance.
• Loss of "Football Weather": Some purists argue that the "elements" are a part of the game’s strategy and history, and that indoor stadiums sanitize the sport.

FAQs

Which NFL stadium was the first to have a retractable roof?

NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, was the first NFL stadium built with a retractable roof. It opened in 2002 for the Houston Texans' inaugural season. While other multi-purpose stadiums like Toronto’s Rogers Centre had retractable roofs earlier, NRG was the first specifically designed for an NFL franchise.

Is SoFi Stadium considered an indoor stadium?

Yes and no, but generally yes for scheduling purposes. Architecturally, it is a "canopied" stadium because the roof is fixed and the sides are open to the air. However, because the canopy covers the entire playing field and prevents rain from falling on the players or fans, it provides the same weather protection as a traditional indoor stadium.

How many NFL teams still play on natural grass in a dome?

Only two: the Las Vegas Raiders (Allegiant Stadium) and the Arizona Cardinals (State Farm Stadium). Both use a sophisticated "tray" system where the grass field is grown outdoors and mechanically rolled into the stadium for game day. All other current indoor NFL stadiums use synthetic turf.

Can retractable roofs be opened during a game?

According to NFL rules, the home team must decide whether the roof will be open or closed 90 minutes before kickoff. If it starts open, it can be closed during the game if weather conditions deteriorate. However, if it starts closed, it generally remains closed unless there are specific exceptions managed by the league officials to ensure competitive balance.

Why doesn't every team build an indoor stadium?

The primary reason is cost. Adding a roof can increase construction costs by $200 million to $500 million. Additionally, some teams in specific climates (like the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears) view their outdoor, cold-weather environment as a distinct "home-field advantage" that they are unwilling to give up.

Final Recommendation for Fans

If you are planning a trip to see an NFL game and want to guarantee that weather won't ruin your experience, targeting one of the 10 indoor or retractable-roof stadiums is your best bet. For the most "outdoor-like" experience while remaining protected, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis or SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles offers the best balance of natural light and climate protection. If you prefer the classic, loud, high-energy dome atmosphere, the Caesars Superdome remains the gold standard.