How do the Mountain West programs and BYU stack up when it comes to facilities? We take a look.
Photo: UNLV Football
Article By: Nick Battey
13. San Jose State
The oldest stadium on this list, CEFCU stadium, is also last. It has barely been touched for upgrades or renovations since the 1980’s (other than a new scoreboard and sound system) and was bad enough that the San Jose Earthquakes decided to leave for Buck Shaw Stadium, a 7,000 seat venue. San Jose State is in the process of building a $40 million football operations building and once done the Spartans will climb way up this list as they have also renovated the locker room for $1 million in 2019.
Photo: SJSU Athletics
12. Hawaii
Aloha Stadium is the most storied home of any of these stadiums on the list but unfortunately it’s in need of some renovations. Built in 1975, it has been used for both the NFL’s Pro Bowl, college football and even baseball for a few seasons. Hawaii hasn’t done well maintaining it over the years and that’s why it’s a below average stadium in 2020.
Photo: Hawaii Athletics
11. New Mexico
Dreamstyle Stadium, home of the Lobos and the New Mexico Bowl, gets a national audience every year to the venue. Other than that, the stadium is pretty unspectacular. They have made some renovations since 2000 to keep it up to date but overall there is nothing special about it.
Photo: Wikipedia
10. Nevada
Mackay Stadium has always been a nice home for Nevada football since the 1960’s and they’ve done a pretty good job of keeping it up to today's high standards for a college football venue. There is just nothing impressive about this stadium or other facilities which puts Nevada 10th on this list. The Wolfpack spent $200k on a locker room remodel in 2013 and $11.5 million on a stadium remodel in 2016.
Photo: University of Nevada
9. Air Force
Falcon Stadium has largely kept the charm and shape of what it looked like when they opened the place in 1962. The Falcons did build an indoor practice field in 2011 and renovated the locker rooms in 2018. Air Force obviously has more important things to spend money on than a new stadium, but for right now they’re near the bottom of the list.
Photo: Air Force Athletics
8. Fresno State
Bulldog Stadium is one of the most underrated college football venues on the West Coast. When Fresno State is good they have a great atmosphere with over 41,000 fans rooting on the Bulldogs. While the stadium itself is on the older side, the university has done a great job of keeping it up along with the other athletic facilities to help continue momentum for the program.
Photo: Fresno State Athletics
7. San Diego State
Currently San Diego State is in the middle of the pack on this list for still playing at the old SDCCU Stadium. They will jump to the top of the list in the next few years with the brand new stadium they will be building in its place just a few miles from campus. San Diego State's new stadium will be built at a cost of $310 million and SDSU also renovated their locker room recently at a cost of $2 million.
Photo: SDSU Athletics
6. Utah State
Holding only 24,000, Maverik Stadium is among the smallest on this list. But what it doesn’t have in size it makes up for in the recent renovations they have made in the suites and press box areas to give the stadium a brand new identity, it’s a step in the right direction for the Aggies. Utah State spent $6.5 million on the Icon Sports Performance Center in 2013 and $36 million on a stadium renovation in 2016.
Photo: Icon Sports
5. BYU
LaVell Edwards Stadium is the largest college football only stadium on this list at a capacity of 63,470 and BYU shows out for every one of their games. Between the full indoor climate controlled practice facilities and the stadium this puts them right near the top of the list for places to go see and tour on the West Coast for college football.
Photo: BYU Athletics
4. Wyoming
Wyoming might have an older stadium, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t kept the place up. There have been multiple renovations since 2000 to the scoreboard and adding better seats for fans. With the McMurry High Altitude Performance Center built for $44 million in 2018, the Cowboys are set for success for years to come.
Photo: Wyoming Athletics
3. Boise State
There is arguably no place more recognizable in college football than Albertsons Stadium and the blue turf. Boise State continues to prove that they can land top recruits with their impressive football history and the great amenities available to players. The Broncos built the Bleymaier Football Center for $22 million in 2013 and they will soon renovate the east side of the stadium.
Photo: Boise State Athletics
2. Colorado State
Canvas Stadium is an absolutely gorgeous place to call home. The Rams built the stadium in 2017 and they nailed every part of it. To be able to have a stadium this nice and new right on your campus is something that not many college football teams can say they have. Canvas Stadium was built at a cost of $220 million.
Photo: Colorado State Athletics
1. UNLV
No one in the Mountain West can come close to the beautiful new Allegiant Stadium which puts UNLV as the top stadium and facilities in the conference. The $1.8 Billion Raiders stadium is as state of the art and beautiful as it can get in any sport. In addition, it’s just a stones throw away from campus so it’s easy to get to and from the stadium. UNLV also unveiled a $35 million Fertitta Football complex in 2019. The combination of the stadium and facilities would put UNLV near the top of the Pac-12 and may only be matched by the Ducks.