Steelers, 49ers Fans Expected to Dominate MetLife, Lumen Stadiums

For the NFL's opening week in 2025, there are notable instances where visiting teams' fan bases are expected to dominate the home stadiums, threatening the usual home-field advantage. In Seattle, 49ers fans are projected to make up 53% of the crowd at Lumen Field, continuing a trend of strong 49ers presence in opposing stadiums, which has prompted concern from the Seahawks organization. Meanwhile, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Steelers fans are forecasted to comprise 48% of attendees for the Pittsburgh Steelers' season opener against the New York Jets, demonstrating their reputation as one of the most passionate and well-traveled fan bases in the NFL. This game also features added intrigue with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers facing his former team, the Jets, and Jets quarterback Justin Fields playing against his former Steelers team. Experts overwhelmingly favor the Steelers to win, and the strong Steelers fan presence could impact the atmosphere despite the Jets being the home team. These scenarios highlight the growing influence of traveling fan bases in shaping the game-day experience and potentially affecting team performance on the road.