Honestly, the "Frozen Tundra" vibe is becoming a relic of the past. If you’re a fan who grew up watching mud-caked jerseys and breath visible in the air during January playoff games, the current landscape of the league might feel a bit... sterile. But look at the numbers. As of 2026, we are officially at a tipping point.
The NFL is rapidly moving indoors. Right now, there are 11 teams playing their home games in stadiums that are either fully domed or have retractable roofs. But that number is about to explode. By the time 2031 rolls around, more than half the league will be playing under cover.
It’s not just about keeping fans warm. It’s about the money. A dome turns a stadium from an eight-day-a-year football field into a 365-day-a-year entertainment hub. You can't host a Final Four or a Taylor Swift tour in the middle of a Cleveland winter if you don't have a roof. Basically, if you aren't building a dome, you're leaving hundreds of millions on the table.
The Current Lineup of NFL Teams with Domes
If you're looking for the teams that currently enjoy climate control, the list is a mix of "old school" indoor havens and high-tech marvels.
The New Orleans Saints still call the Caesars Superdome home. It’s the granddaddy of them all, opened back in 1975, though it’s been renovated so many times it feels much younger. Then you have the Detroit Lions at Ford Field and the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota basically had to build a dome; the winters there are no joke, and after the Metrodome roof collapsed under snow in 2010, they weren't taking any chances.
Then there are the "technically covered" stadiums. SoFi Stadium, where the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers play, is a bit of a weird one. It’s a fixed-roof stadium, but the sides are open to the air. It’s essentially a giant canopy. Still, because it’s covered, it counts in the "indoor" category for most stat-trackers.
The rest of the current list of NFL teams with domes (or retractable roofs) includes:
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- Arizona Cardinals (State Farm Stadium)
- Atlanta Falcons (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Dallas Cowboys (AT&T Stadium)
- Houston Texans (NRG Stadium)
- Indianapolis Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium)
- Las Vegas Raiders (Allegiant Stadium)
The Difference Between Fixed Domes and Retractable Roofs
You've probably noticed that not all "domes" are created equal.
A fixed dome, like the one in New Orleans or Las Vegas, never opens. You get the same lighting and the same temperature every single game. This is great for consistency, but you lose that "Sunday afternoon sun" feeling.
Retractable roofs were supposed to be the best of both worlds. The Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys can open their roofs when the weather is nice. But here’s the reality: they hardly ever do. Team owners are notorious for keeping the roof closed to ensure their home-field advantage (usually the noise) stays trapped inside. In places like Houston or Phoenix, the heat is so oppressive for half the season that opening the roof would basically turn the stadium into a giant oven.
Why Everyone is Racing to Build a Roof
It’s easy to be cynical and say it’s just about the "softness" of modern players, but that's not really it.
The Tennessee Titans are currently building a new enclosed stadium set to open in 2027. The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing a massive renovation of EverBank Stadium that adds a "translucent skin" roof by 2028. Even the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders have released renderings for roofed venues.
The reason? Predictability.
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When a team like the Buffalo Bills builds a new stadium (like the New Highmark Stadium opening this year), they chose to stay open-air. That’s a massive gamble. While it preserves that "tough" identity, it means Buffalo will likely never host a Super Bowl. The NFL has a quiet rule: if you want the big game, you need a roof or a palm tree. Since Buffalo doesn't have the latter, they're sticking to their guns for the sake of home-field advantage in the snow.
The Stat Boost: Does Playing Indoors Help?
The data is pretty clear: domes favor the offense.
If you look at quarterback production, stats almost always tick upward when you move inside. There’s no wind to catch a deep ball. There’s no slip on the turf. According to various sports betting studies, games in domes tend to score about 3 to 4 points more than outdoor games.
Quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins or Jared Goff have historically seen significant splits between their indoor and outdoor performance. It’s easier to be precise when the environment is controlled at exactly 70 degrees.
The Disappearing "Home Field Advantage"
There's a trade-off, though. For decades, teams like the Green Bay Packers or the Kansas City Chiefs used the weather as a 12th man.
Think about the "Ice Bowl" or the legendary "Tuck Rule" game. Those moments don't happen in a dome. When the Chicago Bears eventually move to a domed stadium in the suburbs, they lose that intimidation factor of a freezing wind whipping off Lake Michigan.
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For the owners, the trade-off is worth it. They get lower "no-show" rates. If it’s pouring rain, a casual fan might stay home. If it’s 70 degrees inside, they’re buying a $15 beer and a $50 hat.
Future NFL Stadium Projects to Watch
If you’re keeping track, here is who is moving toward the "indoor" column next:
- Tennessee Titans (2027): A brand new $2.1 billion dome.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2028): A "stadium of the future" with a protective canopy.
- Cleveland Browns (2029): Rumors and renderings suggest a domed "Brook Park" project is the frontrunner.
- Washington Commanders (2030): Their new DC site plan almost certainly includes a roof to attract international events.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning a trip to see one of these NFL teams with domes, keep a few things in mind. First, don't trust the "outside" weather for your outfit. I've seen people freeze inside the Vikings' stadium because the AC was cranked too high, or sweat in Dallas because the sun was hitting the glass just right.
Secondly, if you're a bettor, always check the "over" when two high-powered offenses meet in a dome. The lack of wind is a massive factor that people often underestimate until they see a kicker nail a 60-yarder with room to spare.
Lastly, keep an eye on the "retractable" status. Just because a stadium can open its roof doesn't mean it will. Most teams announce the roof status about 90 minutes before kickoff on their social media channels. If you're hoping for an outdoor game in Indy or Dallas, don't hold your breath unless the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees.
The NFL is changing. The era of the mud-bowl is dying, replaced by billion-dollar glass palaces. Whether that's a good thing for the "soul" of football is up for debate, but for the bank accounts of the owners, the choice is already made.
Check the specific stadium's "Roof Policy" page on their official website before you travel. Most teams have strict temperature and wind-speed thresholds that dictate whether the roof stays open or closed, which can save you a lot of headache when packing.