![The Minnesota Stars stadium experience ranked equal third in the NASL with an overall rating of 3.4/5. The facility rated a 5 on the "Atmosphere" as the reviewer noted there was a real "buzz" about the place. It also rated 5 on the "Return on Investment" with inexpensive general admission tickets being very popular.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/7a/37/1361988462_9823_minnesota2.jpg?itok=Ybf0K0cn "The Minnesota Stars stadium experience ranked equal third in the NASL with an overall rating of 3.4/5. The facility rated a 5 on the "Atmosphere" as the reviewer noted there was a real "buzz" about the place. It also rated 5 on the "Return on Investment" with inexpensive general admission tickets being very popular."){kind=small}
![Team representatives are in discussions with city authorities about the possibility of a new stadium and while it is currently just on the "drawing board," obviously the team and the city are looking to improve the fans experience.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/a7/af/a7af93533d99ca03eafdd87a7e0c76c7.jpg?itok=eIAR2E3P "Team representatives are in discussions with city authorities about the possibility of a new stadium and while it is currently just on the "drawing board," obviously the team and the city are looking to improve the fans experience."){kind=small}
![FC Edmonton rated 5th in Stadium Journey with an overall index of 3.3. It scored particularly low on the "Neighborhood" rating but made up for that with above average ratings for "Atmosphere", "Access", and "Return on Investment".](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/aa/25/aa25d02e602d2606b73b5fac4c5bcf0f.jpg?itok=sykUKoQL "FC Edmonton rated 5th in Stadium Journey with an overall index of 3.3. It scored particularly low on the "Neighborhood" rating but made up for that with above average ratings for "Atmosphere", "Access", and "Return on Investment"."){kind=small}
If you go to any kind of sporting event, it doesn't matter if you're the most ardent fan or if you're a casual observer you want a great experience! The North American Soccer League is working hard to ensure they put a great product out on the field but what about the fan's experience of watching the NASL in action; getting to the stadium, enjoying some pre-game food or drinks, atmosphere and seating or view of the game?
Now any fan can go to a website and find out exactly what they can expect at the stadium they're going to that weekend.
Stadium Journey specializes in reviewing a fan's complete experience when they go to a game. A whole bunch of Stadium Journey reviewers have gone to most stadiums or arenas in the United States and many others overseas and have assessed them all on seven different criteria with the goal of comparing a fan's experience at one stadium to another.
A fan's sport experience is rated one to five (five being the highest) on the following seven criteria:
Food and Beverage is assessed based upon its' quality, variety and price.
Atmosphere rates how much fun the soccer experience is and considers thing like distractions for the kids or announcer's commentary.
Neighborhood considers if the area surrounding the stadium can provide an extended experience with local restaurants and other attractions.
Fans are assessed for their ability to create atmosphere without threatening or offending the casual observer.
Access considers the ways and ease with which fans can get to or leave the stadium.
Return on Investment gauges how much it's going to cost and what kind of view you get for your money.
Extras considers the uniqueness of the stadium experience for that team, literally what else do they do to entertain their fans.
All those criteria are assessed and a rating is given for each. Then an index is created form the average of the seven criteria allowing an overall comparison between any and all facilities.
So, how do the various NASL soccer experiences stack up? Here are the top five:
![FC Edmonton rated 5th in Stadium Journey with an overall index of 3.3. It scored particularly low on the "Neighborhood" rating but made up for that with above average ratings for "Atmosphere", "Access", and "Return on Investment".](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/40/79/40796257106becd6fbdc8009fd07fe98.jpg?itok=sSCvbb67 "FC Edmonton rated 5th in Stadium Journey with an overall index of 3.3. It scored particularly low on the "Neighborhood" rating but made up for that with above average ratings for "Atmosphere", "Access", and "Return on Investment".")
![Team representatives are in discussions with city authorities about the possibility of a new stadium and while it is currently just on the "drawing board," obviously the team and the city are looking to improve the fans experience.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/25/4e/254e2e3d87f3df3736d16782e8e8d907.jpg?itok=YRv6kP6O "Team representatives are in discussions with city authorities about the possibility of a new stadium and while it is currently just on the "drawing board," obviously the team and the city are looking to improve the fans experience.")
![The Minnesota Stars stadium experience ranked equal third in the NASL with an overall rating of 3.4/5. The facility rated a 5 on the "Atmosphere" as the reviewer noted there was a real "buzz" about the place. It also rated 5 on the "Return on Investment" with inexpensive general admission tickets being very popular.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/7a/37/1361988462_9823_minnesota2.jpg?itok=QPaP3c6S "The Minnesota Stars stadium experience ranked equal third in the NASL with an overall rating of 3.4/5. The facility rated a 5 on the "Atmosphere" as the reviewer noted there was a real "buzz" about the place. It also rated 5 on the "Return on Investment" with inexpensive general admission tickets being very popular.")
![The Atlanta Silverbacks tied with the Minnesota Stars for 3rd overall with a 3.4 rating. Hurting the rating was a 1/5 for the "Neighborhood". The reviewer thought there was nothing around the facility to draw people in for the day. The stadium sits at the intersection of two major roads in Atlanta and while it is accessible it has little neighboring appeal.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/51/5e/1361988462_4236_atlanta1.jpg?itok=LJbpYXsb "The Atlanta Silverbacks tied with the Minnesota Stars for 3rd overall with a 3.4 rating. Hurting the rating was a 1/5 for the "Neighborhood". The reviewer thought there was nothing around the facility to draw people in for the day. The stadium sits at the intersection of two major roads in Atlanta and while it is accessible it has little neighboring appeal.")
![Perhaps as a result of the less than wonderful surroundings the Atlanta Silverbacks place great emphasis on the Food and Beverage aspect of their offering. Rating as the highest of all NASL stadia, the F&B at Silverbacks Park was the only 5 rating across the NASL. The "Atmosphere", "Fans", "Return on Investment" and "Extras" all scored 4 out of 5 with the reviewer noting the particularly die-hard fans, the ultras and the guerrillas.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/2c/05/1361988462_7281_atlanta2.jpg?itok=tg8tlHAQ "Perhaps as a result of the less than wonderful surroundings the Atlanta Silverbacks place great emphasis on the Food and Beverage aspect of their offering. Rating as the highest of all NASL stadia, the F&B at Silverbacks Park was the only 5 rating across the NASL. The "Atmosphere", "Fans", "Return on Investment" and "Extras" all scored 4 out of 5 with the reviewer noting the particularly die-hard fans, the ultras and the guerrillas.")
![Carolina RailHawks rated 3.7 and came second in the standings. Not one minimum rating was received evidencing that the team does everything quite well. The facility scored 5 on "Access" being very easy to get to but scored only 2 on "Neighborhood" which was described as a no mans land.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/fb/ae/fbae8261b84448ccb509e24e5c6c87c6.jpg?itok=Mskf7Cer "Carolina RailHawks rated 3.7 and came second in the standings. Not one minimum rating was received evidencing that the team does everything quite well. The facility scored 5 on "Access" being very easy to get to but scored only 2 on "Neighborhood" which was described as a no mans land.")
![While the overall score provided a second place ranking the reviewer rated the "Fans" as joint bottom of all those in the top five with a rating of only 3. Noting the existence of the fanatical Depot 309 as being a major positive, the reviewer maintained that their passion was more than diluted by the large numbers of empty seats. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/a0/f0/a0f01b40d8aadcc6bb1134c1a3bb5571.jpg?itok=8CPhllxG "While the overall score provided a second place ranking the reviewer rated the "Fans" as joint bottom of all those in the top five with a rating of only 3. Noting the existence of the fanatical Depot 309 as being a major positive, the reviewer maintained that their passion was more than diluted by the large numbers of empty seats. ")
![The Tampa Bay Rowdies have dual reason to celebrate. Not only did they win the NASL Championship in 2012 but they also rated highest among all the NASL facilities. Scoring a 4.3 rating and nothing less than a 4 in any of the categories, the Rowdies stadium experience eclipsed the competition by more than 16 percent. Truly head and shoulders above the rest! Scoring a 5 for "Neighborhood" the reviewer noted the existence of three museums, the major league baseball stadium and a large number of other amenities all within walking distance.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/fd/23/1361988462_3236_tampa1.jpg?itok=x9A3Ndgt "The Tampa Bay Rowdies have dual reason to celebrate. Not only did they win the NASL Championship in 2012 but they also rated highest among all the NASL facilities. Scoring a 4.3 rating and nothing less than a 4 in any of the categories, the Rowdies stadium experience eclipsed the competition by more than 16 percent. Truly head and shoulders above the rest! Scoring a 5 for "Neighborhood" the reviewer noted the existence of three museums, the major league baseball stadium and a large number of other amenities all within walking distance.")
![The other element scoring a 5 for Tampa Bay were the "Fans". Ralph's Mob was singled out as the highest rated fan group in the top five (none of the others scoring the maximum rating). The reviewer was particularly impressed with the incessant, creative and original chants. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/0a/cc/1361988462_5001_tampa2.jpg?itok=Tp0izqoc "The other element scoring a 5 for Tampa Bay were the "Fans". Ralph's Mob was singled out as the highest rated fan group in the top five (none of the others scoring the maximum rating). The reviewer was particularly impressed with the incessant, creative and original chants. ")
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