The stadium is built to seat 65,000 fans, but can be expanded to accommodate 70,000-80,000 fans. Originally designed as an outdoor stadium, the decision was made to make it an indoor stadium to give fans a better experience during the cold Detroit winters. However, what makes Ford Field unique among NFL stadiums is the amount of natural light that can reach the playing field. This is accomplished through the use of skylights and glass windows located in the corners of the stadium.
An interesting fact about Ford Field is the playing field itself is actually below street level, helping to ensure the stadium does not impose too much of itself on the city's skyline. Despite being one of the more modern sports stadiums in the United States, Ford Field still managed to incorporate a little bit of old in with the new. Hudson's Warehouse, a famous Detroit landmark constructed in the 1920s, was incorporated into the stadium's design to create a seating arrangement unlike most other stadiums. At Ford Field, the majority of the stadium's lounges and luxury boxes are located in the warehouse section, which many fans say offers the best views of anywhere in the stadium.
The warehouse has played a part not only in the seating arrangements, but also in how the playing field was constructed as well. As one of only ten NFL stadiums with east and west end zones, Ford Field had to make certain its design did not create a situation where sunlight would distract players on the field during a game. To do so, after receiving permission from the NFL for the east-west design, the Hudson Warehouse was incorporated in such a manner as to allow sunlight to only reach the sidelines, making sure that no distraction existed.
Having hosted everything from the Super Bowl to the NCAA Frozen Four hockey championships, Ford Field has established itself as not only one of the premier sports venues in the United States, but also one with a character all its own.