Soccer fans know the drill on match days: long drives, crowded parking lots, and crowded exits that extend the day well beyond kick-off. A study of traffic conditions near Yankee Stadium found that travel times increased by more than 6% on game days, illustrating how large events can clog city roads.
Meanwhile, cities and teams are rethinking how stadiums connect to their surroundings. For example, the Washington Commanders’ newly approved $3.8 billion plan to return to D.C., anchored by a 65,000-seat venue on the site of RFK Stadium, includes housing, retail and public parks, reflecting a growing trend toward mixed-use, transit-connected development.
To see which teams are already open to the idea, Redfin analyzed all 30 NFL venues by walk, transit, and bike scores to reveal which stadiums are the most accessible without a car and how much it costs to live near them.
Top 10 NFL Stadiums Fans Can Visit Without a Car
1. Lumen Field: Seattle Seahawks (Seattle, Washington)
Overall score: 94 | Walk score: 89 | Traffic score: 100 | Bike score: 92
Lumen Field is located just south of downtown Seattle in one of the city’s busiest areas. Fans can access the stadium by light rail, bus or bike from nearby areas like Capitol Hill and West Seattle, while others choose to walk to the stadium from Pioneer Square or the International District.
Homes in Seattle typically sell for about $853,750, and rent averages about $2,130 per month. Although it’s one of the more expensive markets on this list, the convenience of a car-free lifestyle is a big part of what makes this area so appealing to fans.
Read >> Top 10 cities where you can live without a car
2. US Bank Stadium: Minnesota Vikings (Minneapolis, MN)
Overall score: 88 | Walk score: 85 | Traffic score: 85 | Bike score: 94
U.S. Bank Stadium is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, surrounded by apartments, parks, and cafes, and is busy year-round. The city’s light rail and protected bike lanes make it easy for fans to get to games from their neighborhoods beyond the subway.
With homes in Minneapolis averaging $353,250 and rents around $1,641, it’s affordable and relatively easily accessible.
3. M&T Bank Stadium: Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore, Maryland)
Overall Score: 82 | Walk Score: 77 | Traffic Score: 84 | Bike Score: 84
Located near Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor, M&T Bank Stadium offers fans a true downtown experience. The light rail link stops right at the stadium gates, and many hotels, restaurants, and trails are within walking distance.
Homes in Baltimore typically cost around $221,000, and rents average $1,909, making it one of the most budget-friendly markets on our list.
4. Ford Field: Detroit Lions (Detroit, Michigan)
Overall Score: 72 | Walk Score: 80 | Traffic Score: 77 | Bike Score: 58
Ford Field is located in the heart of Detroit’s revitalized downtown, surrounded by restaurants, theaters, Greektown, and other landmarks. Fans can use the QLine streetcar or People Mover to get around without a car.
Home prices in the Detroit area average around $97,000, but renters typically pay around $1,275, making it affordable to buy in your immediate vicinity.
5. Soldier Field: Chicago Bears (Chicago, Illinois)
Overall Score: 72 | Walk Score: 51 | Traffic Score: 79 | Bike Score: 85
Soldier Field may be one of the oldest stadiums in the league, but its location on the shores of Lake Michigan makes it one of the most scenic and accessible. Fans often take the CTA Red Line or walk or bike the Lakefront Trail straight to the gate.
In the Chicago area, the average home price is around $374,000 and rents hover around $2,506, reflecting the city’s central waterfront appeal.
6. Bank of America Stadium: Carolina Panthers (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Overall Score: 69 | Walk Score: 72 | Traffic Score: 70 | Bike Score: 65
Bank of America Stadium is located in Uptown Charlotte, surrounded by shops, parks, and new apartment buildings. The city’s Blue Line light rail drops off fans nearby, making most parts of the District accessible on a short walk or bike ride.
The average price of a home in Charlotte is $415,000, and monthly rent is approximately $1,680. The Uptown area is growing rapidly, so when you move you’ll be surrounded by great food and city noise.
7. Caesars Superdome: New Orleans Saints (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Overall Score: 66 | Walk Score: 47 | Traffic Score: 74 | Bike Score: 77
The Superdome is located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, just steps from the French Quarter and Warehouse District, giving fans close access to the city’s restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Many fans use the city’s buses and trams to get to match venues, which adds to the local character.
Homes in New Orleans typically cost $305,500 and rents average $1,830, making it a relatively accessible area for urban living.
8. Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Atlanta Falcons (Atlanta, Georgia)
Overall Score: 66 | Walk Score: 63 | Traffic Score: 78 | Bike Score: 57
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is designed with mobility in mind. Directly connected to the MARTA rail system, fans can easily travel from all over Atlanta without driving. Greater convenience to downtown sidewalks and nearby hotels.
In Atlanta, homes typically sell for about $375,000, and the average monthly rent is about $1,930, which is typical for major cities in the South.
9. Acresure Stadium: Pittsburgh Steelers (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Overall Score: 63 | Walk Score: 42 | Traffic Score: 74 | Bike Score: 72
Acrizier Stadium, located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, is connected to downtown via a pedestrian bridge and the Pittsburgh Light Rail. Many fans cross the Roberto Clemente Bridge or bike along the river before the game.
Home prices in Pittsburgh are approximately $230,000, and rents average $1,890. The area remains relatively affordable for a centrally located neighborhood.
10. Cleveland Browns Stadium: Cleveland Browns (Cleveland, Ohio)
Overall Score: 63 | Walk Score: 42 | Traffic Score: 74 | Bike Score: 72
Cleveland Browns Stadium is located on the Lake Erie waterfront, within walking distance of downtown hotels, offices, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The RTA Waterfront Line and local bus routes make getting around easy on game day.
Homes in Cleveland typically cost around $135,000 and rents average $1,665, offering close proximity at a low cost.
Why stadium location matters
Stadium location affects more than just how fans are seated. It shapes game day experiences, neighborhoods, and city planning.
fan experience
The location of the stadium can completely change the atmosphere on match day. When fans can walk, bike or take public transportation to games, it reduces the stress of traffic and parking, making games smoother and more enjoyable. Research shows that easier access and shorter commute times often result in higher attendance, more time spent in the neighborhood, and benefits for local businesses.
Impact on the economy and housing
Walkable areas not only make it easier to get around, but they also attract more investment and housing demand. According to the World Economic Forum, walkable neighborhoods in the 35 U.S. metropolitan areas have rents and home prices about 35 to 45 percent higher than car-dependent suburbs. Building a stadium in such a connected neighborhood could increase the value of nearby businesses and real estate, but it could also increase pressure on an already competitive housing market.
urban planning
Cities are increasingly treating stadiums as part of the urban grid rather than as isolated venues. When a venue is connected to public transport, bike paths, nearby shops and parks, it becomes part of the neighborhood’s daily rhythm, rather than a space that only comes alive on game days. This type of integration helps retain local businesses and promotes steady economic activity throughout the year.
NFL stadium on the move
Several NFL teams are planning new stadiums or relocations in the coming years, and many of these projects include design updates with a focus on connectivity, mixed-use development, and improved transportation access.
Washington Commanders: The Commanders plan to return to D.C. with a new $3.8 billion stadium on the site of RFK. The project, which is expected to open by 2030, includes mixed-use development and enhanced transportation access. Tennessee Titans: The Titans’ new East Bank Stadium in Nashville is part of a plan to transform an old industrial area into a new riverfront neighborhood. Scheduled to open in 2027, the domed venue will be surrounded by parks and residences, with improved walking, biking and transit options. Buffalo Bills: The Bills are staying at Orchard Park, but are building a new stadium that will include a transportation hub to improve bus and shuttle access on game days. Chicago Bears: The Bears will move to Arlington Heights, about 25 miles northwest of Chicago. The new enclosed stadium will be located within a mixed-use district, but the project is facing delays as the team works to secure funding and state approvals.
Looking to the future
As new stadiums emerge and old venues are reimagined, walkability is becoming a focal point in how both cities and fans experience sports. One study found that residents significantly increased their walking, biking, and social interactions after moving to neighborhoods designed around mobility.
Such studies suggest that stadiums can anchor neighborhoods and support long-term growth when they are part of a connected, transit-friendly urban fabric.
For homeowners, transportation access adds another element to an area’s appeal. Living near a stadium with good transit means easy access to local businesses and public transportation, but it can also impact housing demand and long-term property values. For fans, this means more time enjoying the game and less time worrying about traffic and parking.
methodology
To measure accessibility, we aggregated Walk Score, Transit Score, and Bike Score for each of the 30 NFL stadiums using data from Walk Score, a Redfin company.
Housing and rental data are from Redfin as of September 2025 and August 2025, respectively. Both represent city-wide median values.
