When in Rome, Dream of Green Bay

Some estimates say, the Colosseum in Rome can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators, while Lambeau Field in Green Bay has room for 81,000. Though I’ve never visited Rome, I toured the home of the Green Bay Packers, where traces of the Colosseum’s architectural influences were evident in its smartly designed bowl. 

The influence of Roman architecture was also apparent in Michigan Stadium, known as “The Big House,” which surpasses both venues with a staggering capacity of 107,000. On my way to Detroit from Grand Rapids, I made a detour to Ann Arbor specifically to catch a glimpse of this iconic stadium. Unfortunately, locked gates prevented access to the field. 

Two days later, however, Michigan held its season opener against Middle Tennessee, and the portal to the largest football stadium in the U.S. swung wide open. Unsurprisingly, no same-day tickets were available.