NFL franchise savaged for dropping $2.2bn on ‘cookie cutter’ stadium which will be smallest in league

The Tennessee Titans don’t have long to wait before they receive some world class facilities.

Despite having little to rave about in 2025 after a 3-14 season which saw No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward struggle to transition from the collegiate level to the NFL, and head coach Brian Callahan fired, there is optimism for the future.

Getty

This comes as the Titans moved fast to secure former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their new head coach, as well as hiring Brian Daboll – dismissed mid-season by the New York Giants – to run the offense.

Furthermore, the 2026 regular season is also likely to be the Titans’ last at the Nissan Stadium as in 2027, the New Nissan Stadium is expected to open its doors for the very first time.

With a construction cost of $2.1 billion, the Titans’ new state-of-the-art home is right in the shadows of the 69,000-capacity Nissan Stadium, which sits on the east bank of the Cumberland River in Nashville.

The major difference from the old arena to the new is that it will be fully enclosed with a translucent roof, as the Music City bids to one day be a viable host for the Super Bowl.

But what doesn’t bode well for achieving this goal is the significant reduction in seating capacity.

The New Nissan Stadium set to house just 60,000, which would make the multi-purpose venue the smallest in the NFL, approximately 1,500 fewer seats than the league’s oldest stadium Soldier Field – the home of the Chicago Bears that is soon to be replaced.

Fans have been left far from impressed with the size of the Titans’ future home.

“Why did the Titans ownership approve a stadium with only 60,000 seat capacity when need a much larger capacity to host a Super Bowl?” one fan questioned on X.

“Will be the smallest football stadium in the league capacity wise. Ouch.”

Fans mock ‘horrific’ architecture

While the Titans vouch for their new stadium to be an ‘extraordinary’ stage that will help elevate the franchise, fans have taken to social media to discuss design of the stadium itself, with opinions vastly split.

@TennesseeTitans

X/ @SBJ

“Looks like a cookie cutter stadium from the 1970’s but in a square. No longer on the waterfront, either,” one fan said.

“So glad the Titans ownership decided to put a football field in the new shopping mall that looks like an old Sony Playstation,” another user commented.

“Horrific design. NFL teams really need to take note of European football clubs,” a third wrote.

“They needed to do something. Idk about that monstrosity but the stadium was sad,” a fourth user added.

The Titans have only been in their current home since 1999 but it has already fallen far below the standards of the NFL’s best venues.

“Your current stadium is a weird with the “It’s a Small World” vibes from the tiny ‘village’ concessions. That’s reason enough to tear it down and start over,” an opposition fan wrote.

Getty

“People mad about getting a new football stadium will always amaze me even if it’s paid for by taxes…First of all that old stadium is a piece of dogs*** they needed a new one anyway. Second this new stadium is gonna make that whole area look 10x better it won’t even be close,” another fan argued.

“This is where NFL venues are heading not just stadiums, but year-round real estate and experience assets,” one fan pointed out. “Views, terraces, premium inventory, city integration…

“It’s about monetizing 365 days, not 8 home games. $2.1B isn’t a cost. It’s infrastructure for the next era of sports business.”

Nashville development plans around New Nissan Stadium revealed

Once the Titans move into their new home, the old Nissan Stadium will be demolished, and renovations will be made in the surrounding area in efforts to boost the city’s economy.

On Friday, the Metro Nashville Planning Commission approved the proposal to expand the Downtown Code into the “East Bend” which currently occupies the PSC Metals Scrap Yard.

But the Planning Commission document also depicts that buildings up to 40 stories could be constructed in this area.

X/ @SBJ

The map also showcases roads that are yet to exist, including that of the East Bank Boulevard.

But some local residents are concerned by the new plans.

“Overall I just think that document needs to be ushered further to completion with sound principles that align with other committees, commissions, and bodies and guiding documents and principles that the city has founded,” one resident told FOX 17 News.

The East Bank Development Authority are expected to meet later in February to finalize their plans for what they will do in this space as they seek to give Nashville, Tennessee even more global appeal.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.