The NFL Beer Tax Is Real
Nothing sums up the stadium concession experience like beer prices. A $5 domestic draft at Mercedes-Benz Stadium feels like a gift. A $16 craft pour at SoFi Stadium feels like highway robbery. The spread between the cheapest and most expensive NFL beer is over $10 per cup. Over a three-beer game, that's a $30 difference depending on which stadium you're sitting in.
We tracked domestic draft prices at all 32 NFL stadiums for the 2025 season.
The Full Ranking
Cheapest (Under $8)
| Rank | Stadium | Team | Domestic Draft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Falcons | $5.00 |
| 2 | GEHA Field | Chiefs | $6.50 |
| 3 | Ford Field | Lions | $7.00 |
| 4 | Bank of America Stadium | Panthers | $7.00 |
| 5 | Paycor Stadium | Bengals | $7.50 |
Atlanta proved in 2017 that slashing prices actually increases total revenue because people buy more when things feel fair. The rest of the league has been slow to catch on.
The Middle ($8 to $12)
Most NFL stadiums land here. Domestic drafts between $9 and $12. The experience varies, though. A $10 beer at Lambeau Field feels different than a $10 beer at Levi's Stadium just because of the overall vibe.
Some notable mid-range venues:
- Arrowhead Stadium at $9.50 (but honestly, you should be drinking in the tailgate lot)
- Soldier Field at $10.50 (pair it with an Italian beef)
- Lambeau Field at $10.00 (Wisconsin beer culture makes it feel reasonable)
- Empower Field at $11.00 (the Colorado craft upgrades are worth the extra couple bucks)
Most Expensive ($13+)
| Rank | Stadium | Team | Domestic Draft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | MetLife Stadium | Giants/Jets | $14.00 |
| 29 | Levi's Stadium | 49ers | $14.50 |
| 30 | SoFi Stadium | Rams/Chargers | $15.00 |
| 31 | Allegiant Stadium | Raiders | $15.50 |
| 32 | Gillette Stadium | Patriots | $14.00 |
No surprises here. New York, LA, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Boston. High cost of living means high cost of everything, including game day beer.
Craft Beer: A Different Story
If you're willing to upgrade from domestic, the craft beer landscape at NFL stadiums has exploded. Some venues now carry 15 to 40 craft options, often from local breweries.
Best stadiums for craft beer:
- Lumen Field has 40+ options, heavy on Pacific Northwest breweries
- Empower Field represents Colorado's craft scene really well
- Lambeau Field gives Wisconsin craft breweries prime real estate on the concourse
- Lincoln Financial Field features Yards Brewing and other Philly locals on tap
Craft pours typically run $2 to $5 more than domestic. At venues where domestic is already $14, a craft beer can hit $18 to $20. Ouch.
How to Spend Less on Beer
- Tailgate. A 12-pack in the parking lot costs less than two stadium beers. Check each team's tailgating page for alcohol policies.
- Look for early entry deals. Some stadiums run discounted drinks during the first hour after gates open.
- Check mobile ordering. App prices sometimes differ from walk-up concession stands.
- Pick the right stadium. If you're planning a trip and beer matters to you, the Game Day Price Index sorts all 32 teams by beer price.
The Bigger Picture
Beer prices are basically a proxy for how expensive the whole stadium experience is. The venues with cheap beer (Atlanta, Kansas City, Detroit) tend to be affordable across the board. The expensive beer venues charge premium prices for everything.
The full cost breakdown is on our NFL Best Food Value Rankings page. Or use the Game Day Cost Calculator to figure out your total game day spending, drinks included.