In the modern era of professional sports as big business, stadiums and arenas have become largely about money. This is hardly surprising, given that, according to one estimate, taxpayers in North America have poured $6.7 billion into funding stadium projects since 2000. It's those same taxpayers who team owners lean on to help with financing as they entice with the promise of municipal revitalization through a cushy new venue. As a result, new venues with modern amenities keep getting built. Since 2000, half of Major League Baseball's 30 teams and the National Football League's 32 teams have moved into new stadiums, with the numbers of new home arenas for NHL and NBA teams not far behind.

Though often and unfortunately borne out of corporate greed, there is something remarkably refreshing that a new sporting venue can do for its surrounding metropolitan area. If done right, a new venue can serve to revitalize, adding a fresh new layer to a city core and offering a stately new presence to a city's skyline. That isn't always the case, though. Sometimes the best laid architectural plans go astray, leaving behind a big, expensive eyesore. The recent boom of new stadiums and arenas has only served to enhance the disparity between the impressive and the ugly among venues for 'Big 4' teams, both in highlighting "old" parks as out of date and demonstrating what is possible with modern architectural design.

The result is a pretty clear distinction between what works and what doesn't when it comes to team's homes. While the quality of a stadium may not seem to have any bearing on the team that occupies it, there seems to exist a pretty strong correlation on this list between club performance and how their home holds up. Those categorized under "fail" here tend to also struggle when it comes to putting forward a winning product to infuse excitement into the building, while those that fall under "amazing" seem to offer a skilled group of players deserving of their home's thrilling atmosphere.

1 Bad: Rogers Centre

An architectural marvel when it was built back in 1989 as the SkyDome, it's fairly remarkable how quickly the since-renamed Rogers Centre seemed old and out of date.

The stadium's retractable roof was once its signature feature, but now seems antiquated by newer technology that can open and close stadium roofs at a fraction of the speed.

To make matters worse, the mid-90's trend towards more intimate, 'throwback' ballparks left the 'Dome in the dust by the time celebrations wrapped on the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 1993.

Amazing: Camden Yards

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If Rogers Centre was the last vestige of the old era of massive, cavernous baseball stadiums, then it was Baltimore's Camden Yards that ushered in a new era featuring the modern amenities we've become accustomed to. From the boulevard beyond the outfield bleachers to a well-represented history, the home of the O's has long offered the kind of charm that so many ballparks, from the Mets' Citi Field to Atlanta's new Sun Trust Stadium, have tried to replicate.

Bad: Soldier Field

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It is a generally practiced tradition among sports venues that age lends an enhanced sense of legitimacy and significance, regardless of the building's actual quality. Soldier Field in Chicago certainly exemplifies that. Celebrated for its grit and character, the home of the Bears stands as a blight in the city's otherwise picturesque skyline. Even after 2003 renovations so drastic in nature that they problem the stadium to be removed from the National Register of Historic Sites, there wasn't appreciable improvement to either the shoddy turf or the general comfort of watching a game.

Amazing: Lucas Oil Stadium

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The Indianapolis Colts may be having their fair share of issues on the field these days, but at least those struggles come in one of the NFL's nicest homes.

Lucas Oil Stadium blends in perfectly with its downtown Indy surroundings, maintaining an angled position to the city block that meshes with its neighbouring buildings.

Opened in 2008, it boasts a modern retractable roof and window that offers both an outdoor feel and view of the city center while also protecting from the elements.

Bad: BB&T Center

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While the Miami Heat enjoy a sleek downtown arena to play out of, their hockey brethren, the Florida Panthers, are pushed to the outskirts of town. The town of Sunrise, to be exact, where the BB&T Center looms like a warehouse in the middle of nowhere. The organization have tried to develop ambience out of patios and other outdoor space around the arena, but that doesn't change the fact that the rink is completely remote save for the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall across the street.

Amazing: Lambeau Field

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The Green Bay Packers occupy a unique space on the North American pro sports scene, and their iconic Lambeau Field home is no small part of that. In operation since 1957, the club and its ownership group of fans-turned-stockholders have taken great pains to ensure that Lambeau remains updated and comfortable without sacrificing the atmosphere so integral to the team's storied identity. Other NFL stadiums may have comfier seats or more eclectic food, but few live experiences in sports remain as exhilarating as witnessing a Lambeau leap in front of 80,000 roaring Cheeseheads.

Bad: BMO Harris Bradley Center

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If only the rest of Wisconsin could benefit from the same in-person experience as visitors to Lambeau Field get. Unfortunately, the BMO Harris Bradley Center, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, falls disappointingly short of Lambeau's lofty standards.

The building's thoroughly underwhelming exterior appears to have been conceived with no consideration given to interesting, creative design.

Once you get inside, things manage to get worse, with many visitors encountering a stale, dank smell when they enter. Mercifully, a new venue, currently known as the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, is set to open in time for the 2018-19 season.

Amazing: Bankers Life Fieldhouse

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The Hoosier state knows its basketball, so the Indiana Pacers knew they needed more than just flash and cushy modern amenities when they opened what was then known as the Conseco Fieldhouse back in 1999. Now, the Banker's Life Fieldhouse, the arena has solidified itself as both classic and timeless, owing to its decidedly retro vibe. Visitors will immediately sense the Fieidhouse's part of Indiana's basketball-rich history as they approach its dark brick, stately exterior and an interior that feels straight out of Hickory High.

Bad: Marlins Park

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Few recently built stadiums have incurred the rather immediate wrath that greeted Marlins Park when it opened in... The come-to-life vision of South Florida art collector and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, it's no surprise that its extravagant qualities loom large. But what it boasts in flash and flair, it lacks in any sort of charm or character.

The gaudy outfield statue stands as a testament to the park's all-sizzle-no-steak reputation.

It doesn't help, either, that Loria and team president Derek Jeter have neglected to put a major league-quality product on the field.

Amazing: PNC Park

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Long before Wiz Khalifa rapped about "Black and Yellow", the city of Pittsburgh took ownership of that particular color scheme. The colors permeate the Steel City, and that extends to their sports teams. Just like the Steelers and Penguins, the Pittsburgh Pirates have maintained this connected branding through both its uniforms and even its gorgeous PNC Park home. Few ballparks celebrate their surrounding city quite like the Pirates' stadium, with the "Three Sisters" bridges, including the iconic Roberto Clemente bridge, and the Pittsburgh skyline revealed beyond the outfield bleachers.

Bad: StubHub Center

[caption id="attachment_672891" align="alignnone" width="1200"] via ageworldwide.com[/caption] Everything about the StubHub Center, the for-now home of the San Diego Los Angeles Chargers, screams temporary. The 27,000-seat venue, shared with MLS' LA Galaxy, stands as the quick-fix solution to the Chargers' current state of limbo, being stuck between their old San Diego stomping grounds and the Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park, which is set to open in 2020. While the club and the NFL will sell the idea of intimacy in the league's smallest stadium, the Center lacks any personal touches or discernible sense that the Chargers belong there.

Amazing: Mercedes-Benz Stadium

[caption id="attachment_672894" align="alignnone" width="1200"] via curbedatlanta.com[/caption] If your stadium is going to be named for a world renown luxury automobile brand, it better have some serious style. In that sense, the Atlanta Falcons' new Mercedes-Benz Stadium doesn't disappoint. Opened in time for last season, the stadium now occupies a breathtaking presence amidst the city's downtown core as an innovative architectural marvel. It is most visibly defined by a state-of-the-art retractable roof that looks like a flower and opens in a twisting formation that resembles a pinwheel. To help further establish an outdoor feel, a flashy glass wall adorns one side of the stadium and has been built to open when the roof retracts.

Bad: Target Center

[caption id="attachment_672896" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via arenadigest.com[/caption] Well, they've certainly tried with Minnesota's Target Center. The home of the Timberwolves has undergone two major renovations since its opening back in 1990, demonstrating genuine effort in trying to keep it up with the times. But all that the two overhauls have done is make passable the once-deplorable sight lines and somewhat appease the corporate crowd with new suites and restaurants. Issues still plague the building, most notable an unimaginative red brick exterior that makes the arena look like, well, a Target store. The image of the company's pup mascot "Bullseye" affixed to the facade doesn't exactly enhance the 'cool' factor. Unfortunately for any Minnesotans hoping for a fresh start, the arena's lease runs through 2035.

Amazing: Target Field

[caption id="attachment_672899" align="alignnone" width="1233"] via wikipedia.org[/caption] What makes the T'Wolves' home even harder to stomach are the cushy digs that the neighboring Minnesota Twins get to experience next door. Opened in 2010, Target Field has made the most of its relatively small square footage in downtown Minneapolis to create an open, flowing urban ballpark with picture perfect sightlines and views of the skyline throughout. Where Target's logo feels too prominent across the basketball arena's facade, it blends in nicely amidst the busy ballpark's other features. Think your neighbor's house is nicer than yours? The Timberwolves know how you feel.

Bad: Hard Rock Stadium

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Perpetually seeking a new corporate identity, the stadium that has alternately been known as Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Stadium, Landshark Stadium and Sun Trust Stadium has been plagued by the same issues regardless of its name.

Now known as Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins lacks the flair its city is known for.

The stadium's character is essentially limited to four spiralling rampways and a long escalator or two, while the building is often empty for the lowly Fins.

Amazing: AT&T Stadium

[caption id="attachment_672901" align="alignnone" width="1717"] via sportsdaily.com[/caption] Rarely have city, team and stadium all come together in such a perfect, fitting way as was the case when the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium opened in 2009. In a state known for the saying "Everything's bigger in Texas" and housing an NFL franchise known as "America's Team", this wasn't going to be a venue built on modesty and subtlety. Led by team owner Jerry Jones, the club erected one of the most expensive sporting venues ever, with a cost that came in around $1.15 billion. For that Cowboys fans got a bright, retractable roof-covered spectacle of a stadium that features massive 300-foot arches, over 3,000 LCD displays and a center-hanging video screen that was, at its opening, the world's largest HD TV screen.

Bad: Canadian Tire Centre

[caption id="attachment_672903" align="alignnone" width="1240"] via curlingcanada.com[/caption] The Ottawa Senators are an absolute train wreck right now, and their Canadian Tire Centre home arena can't be blamed for that. It does, however, stand as the root of a problem that could see the club one day leave Canada's capital city. And if you visit the Canadian Tire Centre, you can understand why. The Sens' home is blah personified, a bland building stuck in the middle of a nowhere suburb. If you happen past it while driving on the 417, you could be forgiven for figuring it more likely to be a warehouse than an NHL arena. Apparently discussions for a new downtown arena are on-going with the city, which is good because fans simply aren't bothering with the hard-to-get-to and charmless CTC.

Amazing: Scotiabank Saddledome

[caption id="attachment_672905" align="alignnone" width="1224"] via trover.com[/caption] Just about every major metropolitan city has at least one thing - be it an annual event or distinguishing characteristic - that it's widely known for. For the Western Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta, that happens to be its annual Stampede, one of the world's biggest rodeo exhibitions. How big is it in Calgary? The theme carries over to its sports teams. While their Canadian Football League (CFL) team is known as the Stampeders, the NHL's Flames play in what is now known as the Scotiabank Saddledome. Built in time for the city's hosting of the 1988 Winter Olympics, its name runs in perfect harmony with the arena's structure, which boasts a unique design resembling a giant - what else? - horse saddle.

Bad: Tropicana Field

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Seriously, what is it with the state of Florida and terrible sporting venues? Our fourth and final ugly entry from the Sunshine State comes in the form of the cavernous bubble known as Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field. Originally built to house hockey, believe it or not, the Trop has about all the charm you'd expect from a boundless space covered by a carpet-like turf and roofed with what looks like a large white tarp. Throw in the perpetual emptiness of the home of the low budget Rays and you have a recipe for a pretty terrible baseball-viewing experience.

Amazing: Yankee Stadium

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It might seem obvious to tag a $2.3 billion stadium that is less than a decade old on the "good" side of the ledger, but things were never that simple when it came to the new Yankee Stadium. After all, there is a unique pressure involved, both in building a home deemed suitable for baseball's most storied franchise and following up the venerated House That Ruth Built. Overpriced prime seats aside, it's safe to say that the venue's classic veneer, incredible sight lines and unrivalled club hall of fame help the new home of the Bronx Bombers more than live up to the lofty expectations.

Bad: Nassau Coliseum / Barclays Center

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If only the departure of franchise star John Tavares was the only issue plaguing the woebegone New York Islanders organization. Without a permanent home until their new Belmont Park arena is completed three years from now, the Isles will bounce between two "home" rinks - Unionville's Nassau Coliseum and Brooklyn's Barclays Center. And what's worse, neither home is particularly appealing.

The Coliseum seemed aged and outdated when the team left x years ago, while Barclays is clearly a basketball arena that became a hockey rink in a pinch. This poor franchise deserves a home they can be proud of.

Amazing: Oracle Arena

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As home to the NBA champions of three of the past four seasons, Oracle Arena has certainly gotten its share of tv time in recent years. Good thing, then, that the Golden State Warriors' home court has been ready for the attention.

The building's perfectly round exterior and bold, red branding meshes nicely with the team's yellow color pattern to further the vibrant identity of the Dubs.

It's fresh exterior gives off the feel of a new building, but it actually stands as the league's oldest, with Golden State set to move after next season. For one last year, it will serve as one of the NBA's best atmospheres - likely hosting games deep into a long playoff run.

Bad: O.co Coliseum

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Home to both the Oakland Raiders and A's, the O.co Coliseum lands at the top of the "fail" list for squandering all opportunities afforded by its scenic location. Even with an exterior that resembles a military base, the Coliseum's biggest embarrassment is evident inside. "Mount Davis", a large segment of seating built by then-owner Al Davis to encourage the Raiders to stay in the building, was erected at the expense of a nice Bay Area coastline view. The central benefit of the seats - increasing stadium capacity - has proven all for naught, as they are now routinely tarped off during games. No wonder the Raiders are set to move to Vegas in the coming years.

Amazing: AT&T Park

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Given the top three entries here, we can safely conclude that the Bay Area features both the best and worst of North American sporting venues.

For all of the scenery opportunities squandered by the A's home stadium, their National League rival boasts it in spades.

Facing a logistical challenge of a stadium site backing onto the San Francisco Bay, the Giants turned it into an advantage by constructing a ballpark that faces out onto the Bay, creating the opportunity for home run balls to make a splash. You don't even have to be a baseball fan to appreciate the scenery and vantage points of AT&T Park.

Future: Las Vegas Stadium

[caption id="attachment_672865" align="alignnone" width="1710"] via pinterest.com[/caption] While this stadium hasn't been built yet, the signs are looking very promising for the new home of the Oakland, soon to be Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. The stadium is very similar to the plans Marc Davis had in place for the Raiders' proposed stadium in Carson, California, when the Raiders initially planned a move to Los Angeles. The stadium is expected to be a 10-level domed stadium with a clear ETFE roof. The stadium will also have a large torch at one end, with a flame that will honor the late owner Al Davis.