Fascinating facts you might not know about the Alamodome
The Alamodome is a monument to three decades of San Antonio history. The colossal dome, approaching its 30th anniversary in May, has seen the highs and lows of the seventh-largest city in the U.S. since 1993.
In addition to being the largest arena in San Antonio, the Alamodome is unique in that it has no view-obstructing columns inside. Instead, its roof is suspended by cables protruding from four tall posts on top of the building. It’s also home to packed concerts, sporting events, high school graduations and UIL band competitions (the ‘dome hosts more band competitions than any arena in Texas).
Some say it looks like an upside down armadillo or a ship sailing away. Whether it’s a Texas-sized beauty or not, every enthusiastic Texan has made at least one pilgrimage to the historic stadium.
Many may think they know everything about the Alamodome — after all, it has been around since the last century — but here are some fun facts that might stump even the most passionate San Antonian.
The Alamodome is the home stadium of the UTSA Roadrunners football team.
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1. The Alamodome was built to entice an NFL team to come to San Antonio
The Alamodome was originally built with the hope of attracting an NFL team to San Antonio, a dream of former Mayor Henry Cisneros that never came to fruition. However, the stadium has seen its fair share of football, including hosting several NFL games, high school and college teams. It is currently the home stadium for the UTSA Roadrunners football team and the annual NCAA college football Alamo Bowl.
An aerial view of the Alamodome.
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2. The Alamodome could have been named the Fiesta Dome or Megadome
During construction, the City of San Antonio had a Name the Dome contest, and popular entries included Fiesta Dome and Megadome. Robert Marbut Jr. came up with the name Alamodome, and it quickly became a favorite of former Mayor Henry Cisneros and other sports boosters who campaigned to construct the stadium.
3. The Alamodome was built debt-free
A rarity in the ultra-competitive world of sports venue construction, where each new arena boasts more over-the-top amenities than the last, the Alamodome was built debt-free. The city collected a half-cent transportation tax before construction began, which allowed the stadium to be debt-free within 18 months of opening. The $186 million investment was quickly recouped, enabling revenue from every event after that to go into the city’s coffers.
During construction, The City of San Antonio had to remove contaminated ‘dome dirt.’
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4. The dirt beneath the Alamodome nearly foiled construction plans
Built on a dormant Alamo Iron Works foundry site, the soil beneath the Alamodome was contaminated with lead and carbon. Controversy ensued over the proper way to get rid of the contaminated soil, nicknamed “dome dirt.” Protests by the public and lawsuits between contractors and the City of San Antonio and Alamo Iron Works plagued the project. Eventually, the City of San Antonio removed the soil to an offsite location at a hefty $9.4 million price tag.
British musician Elton John performs onstage during the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road The Final Tour” at the Alamodome.
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5. Many iconic names have graced the Alamodome stage
Since its doors opened in 1993, a rotating roster of top-notch musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Elton John, Bad Bunny and many more, have beckoned scores of Texans through the Alamodome doors.
During his New World Tour, Sir Paul McCartney was the first prominent musician to play at the newly christened stadium, attracting an audience of more than 48,000 fans.
Tejano superstars Selena Quintanilla and Emilio Navaira’s El Baille concert was the second music performance ever held at the Alamodome, where the duo performed to an audience of over 30,000 fans.
The Alamodome can expand to seat up to 72,000 spectators.
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6. If you lined up the seats in the Alamodome, they would stretch for 25 miles
The Alamodome is a five-level stadium that can seat 64,000 people and expand to seat up to 72,000 spectators. Lined up next to each other, the seats would stretch out for 25 miles. There are currently 6,000 club-level seats and 38 luxury suites. The highly versatile stadium can easily be converted into a smaller, more intimate setting for up to 11,000 people.
UTSA unveiled a new $800,000 turf field before their 2019 season.
Warren Brown/MySA
7. The Alamodome’s turf field cost almost $1 million
Designed to be a multi-functional arena, the Alamodome is available for everything from high school graduations and concerts to ice hockey and football games. In its early years, the arena’s artificial turf came in 14 sections that weighed 3,500 pounds apiece. A $175,000 machine called a grasshopper would roll out the turf, seamed with zippers. Since then, the stadium has seen many turf upgrades. Most recently, UTSA unveiled a new $800,000 turf field before their 2019 season.
The stadium also has two permanent Olympic-sized ice rinks for speed skating, NHL games and figure skating.
The Alamodome will host the men’s basketball Final Four in 2025.
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8. The Alamodome continues to break records
In its 30 years, the Alamodome has racked up some very impressive stats, including record-breaking concerts and sporting events. George Strait set an all-time attendance record in 2013 for the largest show ever played in San Antonio, with an audience of 73,086 fans.
In 1993, during the U.S. Olympic Festival, the Alamodome hosted the largest-ever figure skating event in U.S. history during the women’s singles and pairs — it is believed to be a world record for a skating competition.
In 2011, UTSA set an attendance record for the highest-attended game for an NCAA Division 1 FBS start-up program.
And most recently, the NCAA announced the Alamodome will host the men’s basketball Final Four in 2025 — an honor given to San Antonio more than any other Texas city.
The Alamodome is set for a major makeover after 30 years of hosting shows and the Spurs.
Courtesy of city of San Antonio
9. The Alamodome will get a $23.2 million renovation in 2023
Last renovated in 2006, the Alamodome will get a $23.2 million overhaul in 2023 in preparation for the 2025 NCAA Final Four in 2025. The renovations will include an additional 18 suites, replacement of elevators and escalators, renovation of the existing 52 suites, and restrooms on all levels and corridors on the club level.
