The Most Iconic Non-Mainstream Sports Stadiums in the U.S.

Empty Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby. Photo by jctabb/Depositphotos

Everyone has heard of Fenway Park, Lambeau Field, and Madison Square Garden. These famous sports stadiums are constantly in the spotlight and are as iconic as the sports that are played in them. What about famous stadiums and arenas that are less in the spotlight but just as important in their respective sport?

Churchill Downs | Louisville, Kentucky

When horseracing is mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is Kentucky. The state is famous for its bourbon and Kentucky Derby, the biggest horseracing event of the year. Churchill Downs in Louisville was opened in 1875 and crowds can reach over 150,000 on opening day. It’s hard to think of horseracing without this famous racetrack.

Notre Dame Stadium | Indiana

This stadium is home to one of the most famous college football teams, The Fighting Irish. It was built by the same company that designed Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park and it was opened in 1930. With a seating capacity of close to 80,000, every year the Fighting Irish take the field with the Indiana faithful behind them.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“The brickyard,” as it has been nicknamed, is home to the most famous racing event, the Indy 500. The circuit was built in 1909, just a year after the Model T became the first mass-produced car in America. It is the 3rd oldest race track in the world, and with a seating capacity of 257,325, it is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world!