Memorable Moments at SkyDome All Star Game: 1991 World Series: 1992 & '93 Blue Jays become first team to attract 4 million fans in 1991. Cy Young winner Roger Clemens in 1997 & '98. Joe Carter's game winning homerun in 1993 World Series. SKYDOME One Blue Jays Way Suite 3200 Toronto, Ontario M5V 1J1 Ballpark Store More Ballpark Items

    SkyDome, was the first of its kind in any sport. It was the first stadium built with a retractable roof, allowing any sport to be played indoors or outdoors. The idea of a new stadium in the Toronto area began in 1923, but it was 63 years before construction started on a stadium. Beginning in the early 1970’s Toronto began trying to get a major league baseball team. They first tried to get the San Francisco Giants to move to Toronto, and then tried to get MLB to expand to Toronto. Finally, in 1976, the city was awarded a major league franchise. The team, called the Toronto Blue Jays, began playing in 1977. However, the city still did not have a new stadium for the team to play in. The Blue Jays played in Exhibition Stadium (primary a football stadium, but retrofitted to house baseball).

In 1983, sites for a new domed stadium were proposed. The site chosen was west of the CN Tower in downtown Toronto. Finally ground breaking ceremonies for the domed stadium were on October 3, 1986. The new stadium would be more than just a dome, it would have a retractable roof, and would be home to baseball, football, and many other events. 

Naming the stadium was one part in which fans got to participate. Over 12,879 fans submitted a wide variety of suggestions to name the stadium (Alfresco Stadium, Railway Place, Zipper Dome). However, the name chosen for the stadium was announced on May 11, 1987. The stadium was named SkyDome.

Opening ceremonies for SkyDome took place on June 3, 1989. Over 60,000 people watched the dome open for the first time. The retractable roof is made up of four independent panels. When the roof opens three of the four panels, two barrel shaped and one, quarter dome, would maneuver in a way where they stack over the fourth panel at the north end of the stadium. Weighing over 21 million pounds, it takes 20 minutes for the roof to close. SkyDome has five levels of seats which extend from right centerfield to left centerfield. The capacity for baseball is 51,000. The first baseball game at SkyDome was on June 5, 1989. SkyDome has many other unique features besides its retractable roof. The Skydome Hotel is part of Skydome as well. It has 350 rooms, 70 which overlook the playing field. Beyond centerfield is the Hard Rock Café which overlooks the playing field. Also in centerfield is a 110 ft. wide by 33 ft. high JumboTRON video board. The pitchers mound is raised and lowered hydraulically, when the field is not in the baseball mode. Since SkyDome’s opening in 1989, the Blue Jays have set attendance records by drawing 4 million fans during the early 1990’s. The Blue Jays have also had success at SkyDome, winning the 1992 and 1993 World Series championships.

          
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Name: SkyDome 
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Tenant: Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Toronto Argonaut (CFL)
Capacity: 50,516 (MLB), 53,000 (CFL)
Surface:  AstroTurf 
Construction Began: October 3, 1986
Opened: June 5, 1989
Cost: $500 Million
Dimensions: 328-L Line, 375-L, 400-C, 375-R, 328-R Line
Architects: Rod Robbie & Michael Allen
Seating Chart

Ballpark Photos

>Models for the dome stadium
>How SkyDome Opens

Click to Enlarge Pictures.