Sure, you can lounge in your favorite chair, remote in one hand and beverage in the other, and catch NFL action all Sunday long just like that. 

But that’s not the bucket-list way to do anything. In this country, Sunday afternoons are reserved for the NFL, a league that dominates the airwaves and drives the national entertainment narrative. 

While TV networks have modernized broadcasts to make watching games a technological spectacle, nothing beats the energy and social connections of being at an NFL game in person. 

The game itself can be the icing on the cake. The real fun comes from all the activities surrounding it, from the grilling and tailgating to the vibrant bar scene with everyone adoring their team colors, to families creating core memories for their kids. 

There is much to see, to do, to take in before kickoff; maybe even time to lay down a little NFL betting action, now that wagering is legal in many states.

Bookies.com has compiled a comprehensive list of the top NFL pregame destinations. The third annual NFL Pregame Experiences ranking is a list borne from an algorithm based on multiple factors. Among them: 

• Location: Close to the action, accessible to fans
• Tailgating: The ability to park and enjoy a crisp fall day with a beverage and grill. 
• Entertainment Around Stadium: A vibrant bar and restaurant scene within walking distance to your seat. 
• Family Sentiment: Is the area safe and entertaining for kids and those with kids? 

Here are all 32 NFL pregame destinations, ranked. 

32. Washington Commanders

The Commanders have a new quarterback and a new outlook, with Josh Harris in his second year as owner. But Commanders Field remains in the bottom run of NFL stadiums. The Commanders’ Field ranked dead-last in overall atmosphere and was one of just two stadiums ranking in the bottom 10 across the board. For the third time in three rankings, Washington ranks at the end. (2023 Ranking: 32nd) 

31. Miami Dolphins

It’s tough to beat the weather of South Florida, but the stadium isn’t that close to the hub of the city, and yet is still tough to get to. Hard Rock Stadium ranked last in location and, like Washington, finished bottom-10 in all four categories. At least the team provides excitement after kickoff. (2023 Ranking: 31st)

RELATED: NFL Teams Ranked By Age In 2024-25: Oldest And Youngest

30. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams and Chargers share a stadium, but the other L.A. team gets the nod thanks to a slight edge in the overall atmosphere. The Rams had the better product on the field last year and in most recent seasons, so perhaps that will get the fans’ juices flowing again shortly. (2023 Ranking: 30th)

29. Los Angeles Chargers

SoFi Stadium is a modern marvel, but the modern doesn’t extend beyond the gates. No stadium ranked worse in terms of tailgating and it was bottom-five in overall location. The Los Angeles vibe adds to the spectacle and still makes pre-games unique. (2023 Ranking: 29th) 

28. New England Patriots

The Patriots were a down-to-business franchise with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, which is perhaps why Gillette Stadium ranked high in the atmosphere (lots of winning) and near the bottom of family entertainment (just win, baby). Its distance of about 30 miles from downtown Boston is still considered a mild inconvenience. (2023 Ranking: 27th)

27. Carolina Panthers

Bank of America Stadium’s location adjacent to downtown Charlotte is a boost, but the Panthers lagged in other areas, including the third-lowest overall atmosphere. The Panthers continue to move upward, albeit slowly, in the entertainment options. (2023 Ranking: 28th)

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

Only the Commanders’ and Panthers’ stadiums ranked lower for the overall vibe Jacksonville’s EverBank Field emits. But in every other region of the score, J’ville ranked respectably, including 17th in both family fun and location. The team is in the works for a new stadium, which could jump the Jaguars into new territories. (2023 Ranking: 26th)

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Tailgating around Paycor Stadium isn’t the big draw, but there are other things to do, including a slew of hangout spots between this stadium and the nearby Great American Ballpark. (2023 Ranking: 25th)

24. Detroit Lions

Ford Field ranked Top 10 for its location, but Bottom 10 across the board otherwise. There is enough nearby for the adults, but the family score took a dent due to the highest crime rate of any city with an NFL team. Despite the jump in team success, the pregame scores have dropped from 19th two years ago. (2023 Ranking: 23rd) 

23. Chicago Bears

A new stadium may be coming sooner than later for the Bears, but for now, most Chicagoans don’t even love Soldier Field, the smallest capacity spot in the league. Bottom-five scores for bother families and overall entertainment don’t help, but its spot on the lakeshore and tailgating option offer a boost. (2023 Ranking: 22nd)

22. Buffalo Bills

Few fanbases can keep up with overall tailgating chaos and flair than the Bills Mafia at Highmark Stadium. But with that comes a bottom-five ranking from families. Highmark Stadium finished bottom-10 in every other category, though the scores did improve from one year prior. A new stadium is slated to open in 2026. (2023 Ranking: 24th)

21. Cleveland Browns

After dropping eight spots in last year’s ranking, the Browns held firmly in the 21 spot for ’24. The overall atmosphere score was down for Cleveland Browns Stadium, but everything else was average or better. Tailgating is plentiful and there’s something to do for all ages. (2023 Ranking: 21st)

20. San Francisco 49ers

Getting to Levi’s Stadium is a chore for a majority of the Niners’ Bay Area fans. It’s nearly 40 miles from the San Francisco city center, by far the furthest from their hometown than any other team. Once you can get there and park, though, the Niners do it right. They rank eighth in both tailgating and overall atmosphere. (2023 Ranking: 19th)

19. New York Giants

Perhaps surprising, tailgating is quite popular in the stadium that houses both New York franchises. The Giants ranked higher in tailgating than any other facet. Considering the traffic and non-family-friendly reputation of NYC and nearby New Jersey, the Giants remained outside the bottom-10 across the board. (2023 Ranking: 20th)

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pirate ship isn’t for everyone, but imagine being a kid and seeing that when you enter Raymond James Stadium. Only Dallas and Green Bay ranked higher for families. Above average tailgating keeps Tampa up there, but the location (nowhere is easy to get to with all the water) dinged Raymond James. (2023 Ranking: 14th)

17. Houston Texans

NRG Stadium ranked in the Top 20 in all four major categories, the first stadium on this list to do so. It didn’t rank any higher than 13th overall in anything, either, but that means nearly everyone can find something do to at Texans games. (2023 Ranking: 18th)

16. Baltimore Ravens

Like Houston’s NRG Stadium, Baltimore and M&T Bank Stadium didn’t rank in the top 10 in any of the four major categories. But did was near the middle in all of them. Family entertainment and tailgating options give the Ravens a push above similarly ranked competition, though safety concerns from families pushed them down the rankings. (2023 Ranking: 13th)

15. New Orleans Saints

No stadium ranked worse for families than Caesars Superdome. But adults can have a grand time all around the stadium and the city of New Orleans. Its adjacent location to highways offer a parking ease that may be surprising to anyone that’s tried to park a car near Bourbon Street. The unique tailgating flair of Nawlins doesn’t hurt. (2023 Ranking: 15th)

14. Arizona Cardinals

Aside from location, the Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium ranked in the upper-half of things to do for adults and kids alike, and in tailgating. If the team can start winning, that will only help add to the overall vibe. (2023 Ranking: 16th)

13. New York Jets

Despite playing at the same MetLife Stadium, Jets fans consistently ranked a slight notch above their Giants co-tenants in family entertainment and overall vibe. Adding Aaron Rodgers has apparently provided another boost. The Jets have moved up eight spots in the last two years, with a notable bump in family entertainment. (2023 Ranking: 17th)

12. Las Vegas Raiders

When people think of wholesome family activities, Las Vegas isn’t the first location that comes to mind. It might be among the last. But the Raiders have made it a priority to ensure there’s something for everyone. It’s one of only six NFL stadiums to rank in the top-half of all four major categories. The combined pageantry of Vegas and Raiders help make atmosphere the top score. (2023 Ranking: 11th)

11. Tennessee Titans

Nothing beats the location of Nissan Stadium, within walking distance of Broadway Street and its limitless and unique entertainment options. In fact, no stadium ranked higher in location. There’s also enough for families that want to avoid the entertainment district chaos. A new stadium, with new amenities, is expected to open in 2027. (2023 Ranking: 12th)

10. Denver Broncos

Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High ranks in the top-half of every measured category, the first stadium on the list to boast such all-around attributes. The highest of all scores came from families, but tailgating is also a hit including the Mane Street area. (2023 Ranking: 10th)

9. Philadelphia Eagles

Tailgating is where the action happens at Lincoln Financial Field, but it’s not where it ends. Philly does rank No. 2 in all of the NFL in that aspect of pregame fun, but they’re no worse than 13th in any other aspect. Still, finding a chair and grilling your meat of choice with beverage in hand with tens of thousands of eager Eagles supporters is tough to beat. (2023 Ranking: 9th)

8. Indianapolis Colts

Tailgating at Lucas Oil Stadium isn’t the best option because the stadium is right downtown, almost uniquely so considering the scale of the massive dome. But around the stadium, there’s something for everyone, Downtown options push Colts games into the top 10 in both family and overall game atmosphere scores. (2023 Ranking: 9th)

7. Minnesota Vikings

No team took a more dramatic tumble down the chart than the Vikings, due mainly to tailgating limitations and crime concerns. But tailgating isn’t the draw in downtown Minneapolis, and U.S. Bank Stadium is considered one of the premier NFL stadiums. It still ranks top-five in three of the four categories. (2023 Ranking: 3rd)

6. Atlanta Falcons 

The Home Depot Backyard adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a pregame open-air destination for families, and there is enough of a scene to make just about everyone satisfied. Tailgating isn’t as much of a thing at the metro Atlanta stadium, but the people fans visit the stadium, the more the location and overall vibe push the score upward. (2023 Ranking: 7th)

5. Seattle Seahawks

If you’re all about tailgating, Seattle’s Lumen Field may not be your No. 1 choice. But if you like pretty much anything else, the Seahawks are among the very best at doing it. Lumen Field ranked Top 5 in every other key metric. The team tied to the top spot in the 2022 rankings before plummeting five spots, but has rebounded back into the Top 5. (2023 Ranking: 6th)

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City has earned a reputation as a top-shelf BBQ and rib city, and Chiefs takes have used that to turn the Arrowhead Stadium lot into the top-ranked tailgating spot in the NFL. The location and setup are made for grilling and chilling. The only attribute that dinged KC was the location of the stadium, near major highways but well outside of town. (2023 Ranking: 5th)

3. Dallas Cowboys

Everything’s bigger in Texas, they say, and in this case they’re close to right. Dallas’ AT&T Stadium is massive and so is the entertainment value the Cowboys bring, ranking No. 1 for families and No. 2 for overall entertainment. The location between Dallas and Forth Worth create a conundrum and traffic snarl for most fans, but once there, Big D is tough to beat. (2023 Ranking: 4th)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Only one stadium ranks in the Top 10 in all four major categories. Acrisure Stadium actually ranks ninth or better in every instance starting with a tailgating scene that is right on the river and adjacent to all the major local highways. It continues from there with an array of events at the Steel Yard and beyond. (2023 Ranking: 2nd)

1. Green Bay Packers

More than any other NFL stadium, Lambeau Field is a bucket list destination. It’s an oasis of modern football surrounded by old-school charm. Green Bay ranks No. 3 in tailgating, No. 2 in family fun and activities and No. 1 in overall vibe and atmosphere, ensuring a scene for anyone. A full-sized football field for fans to play their own games is a unique treat. The only ding is the relative remoteness of Green Bay, roughly 100 miles north of the nearest major airport in Milwaukee. That isn’t enough deterrent to knock Lambeau from the top spot for the second year in a row. (2023 Ranking: 1st)