​Crack open a cold one, fire up the grill, and get ready for some gridiron action — USA TODAY Sports is shining a spotlight on the NFL and football fans with six fresh Readers’ Choice Awards. These new categories kick off the pulse-pounding lead-up to football season, inviting USA TODAY Sports readers to weigh in on everything from pregame must-haves to the ultimate debate: the best NFL stadium. Voting opens on Monday, July 13, and runs through August 10, closing at noon ET. The ten winners in each category will be unveiled on Wednesday, August 19.
Categories include:
– Best NFL Stadium
– Best NFL Stadium Food
– Best Beer for Football Fans
– Best Non-Alcoholic Beer for Football Fans
– Best Vehicle for Tailgating
– Best Tailgating Game
USA TODAY Sports Readers’ Choice Awards follow the same framework as USA TODAY 10Best. A panel of journalists and editors from across the network selected the nominees for each category, ensuring informed, sports-savvy inputs into every list. Now it’s up to the fans to decide which contenders rise to the top as the first-ever USA TODAY Sports Readers’ Choice Award winners.
After nominees are announced, fans are encouraged to cast their votes for their favorites. The public may vote once per category per calendar day, based on Eastern Time, with each category offering a four-week voting window. This edition of the USA TODAY Sports Readers’ Choice Awards opens on Monday, July 13, 2026, at noon ET and closes on Monday, August 10, 2026, at noon ET. Winners are typically announced on the Wednesday of the week following the voting period’s close. The results for Best NFL Stadium, Best NFL Stadium Food, Best Vehicle for Tailgating, Best Beer for Football Fans, Best Non-Alcoholic Beer for Football Fans, and Best Tailgating Game will be announced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
In total, twenty NFL/football nominees enter, and ten earn the distinction of a USA TODAY Sports Readers’ Choice Award winner. This piece originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for the latest USA TODAY Sports Reader’s Choice Awards, including ‘Best NFL Stadium,’ as part of a broader SEO initiative.