Due to its popular use in sporting events, domed stadiums have become the center of architectural exhibition.
Stadiums are becoming higher and bigger, trying to compete with others in terms of seating capacity, total land area, and modern high-tech facilities.
In these modern days, the stadium is designed as venue for big events like exhibits, concerts or sports.
Here are five of the most massive domed stadiums built in modern history.
1. Cowboy Stadium. The biggest domed stadium worldwide with a staggering 275 meters in diameter was built in September 20, 2005 and completed on May 27, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. It is the home of the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboy. Seating capacity is 80,000 while the maximum capacity is 110,000 including standing room.
2. Oita Stadium. Spanning 274 meters in diameter, this multi-purpose stadium in Kyushu Island, Japan rivals the Cowboy Stadium in terms of size. Its seating capacity, however, is only half that of Cowboy Stadium with only 40,000. It is the home field of the J. League soccer team and is used primarily for soccer games. The stadium was built in 1998 opened to the public in 2001.
3. Georgia Dome. Home of the NFL Atlanta Falcons, this domed stadium in Atlanta, Georgia was the world’s largest until 1999. It has a diameter of 256 meters and a seating capacity of 71,228. It is the state’s venue for professional basketball and football games. Built in November 22, 1989, it was opened to the public in September 6, 1992.
4. Mercedez Benz Superdrome. This 207-meter wide sports and exhibition arena is the home of NFL’s New Orleans Saints. It was built in August 11, 1971 and completed in August 3, 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana with a seating capacity of 76,468. It was the “shelter of last resort” for 35,000 evacuees during the Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
5. Reliant Astrodome. Known as the first multi-purpose, domed stadium in Houston, Texas in 1965 nicknamed “Eight Wonder of the World.” It is the main venue for professional baseball, football, and pro wrestling events. Seating capacity is 67,925, built on January 3, 1962 and opened for use on April 9, 1965.
History of domes
The use of domed structures dates back 6100 to 5400 BC in Tell al-Rimah in Iraq. Brick and mud mortar comprise most of the early domes that were built for various purposes from houses, temples, tombs, and storehouses. Domes remain in use today predominantly for religious and sporting events. Cathedrals, temples, mosques, and sports arena have roofs that are typically domed-shaped.
Every Christian pilgrim who has gone to the Holy Land can’t help but notice a conspicuous dome that glitters in dazzling 24 karat gold under the bright Palestinian sky. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Israel is one of the finest domed structures inspired by Islamic architecture built at height of Muslim expansion in AD 691 and 692.
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