Rogers Centre, originally named SkyDome, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Toronto, Canada. It is primarily used for baseball and Canadian football games, hosting the home games of the Toronto Blue Jays and sporadic games of the Toronto Argonauts, its owners.
Opened on 3 June 1989 with an exhibition match between the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers, it replaced the original Exhibition Stadium, which had 54,254 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 49,282 for baseball and 31,074 for football. The stadium was designed by Rod Robbie and Michael Allen and had a construction cost of C$570 million.
A multi-purpose stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in Canada, Rogers Centre is notable for being the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof, as well as a 348-room hotel attached to it, with 70 rooms overlooking the field. It is also the last North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both football and baseball. The Rogers Centre has hosted a variety of sports and entertainment events, including concerts, large-scale conventions, soccer games, and WrestleMania VI and XVIII. It was elected the most impressive stadium of North America in a 2015 online poll by ESPN. By its thirtieth birthday, Rogers Centre had welcomed more than 60 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the future MLB World Series, which the Toronto Blue Jays are potential contenders for.
The Rogers Centre, originally known as SkyDome, is a multi-purpose stadium in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada situated just southwest of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. The stadium's name has always been officially recognized as such, even though the original name SkyDome is still used by many locals. The name SkyDome was derived from the stadium's innovative retractable roof, which gave it a 'sky dome' image. Therefore, the stadium's original name became SkyDome, which was officially changed to Rogers Centre in 2005 when Rogers Communications purchased the stadium.
Opened in 1989, Rogers Centre was the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof, as well as a 348-room hotel attached to it, with 70 rooms overlooking the field. The stadium has been used for numerous high-profile events, serving as the venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 Pan American Games and the annual home opener of the Toronto Blue Jays, among other events. Over the years, it has hosted a multitude of sports events, concerts, trade fairs, conventions, and monster truck shows, solidifying its status as a versatile and iconic venue.
Its location in the heart of downtown Toronto, within walking distance of other major attractions, has contributed to its popularity and frequent use. The stadium's unique architecture and engineering have also attracted attention; the roof, for example, opens and closes in 20 minutes and is made up of four panels, which rotate on 16 bogies (or wheels). The design was chosen as the winner of an international competition, with the final design being a collaboration between architects Rod Robbie and Michael Allen. This design, combined with the stadium's comprehensive facilities, has ensured that the Rogers Centre remains a significant part of Toronto's cultural and architectural heritage.
Despite changes in ownership and naming rights, the Rogers Centre continues to be a landmark and a testament to innovative stadium design. It is an integral part of Toronto's cityscape and continues to be a hub for both local and international events, demonstrating its enduring appeal and significance in the world of sports and entertainment.
An ideal plot was found in the downtown area of Toronto, with strong accessibility and ample space for future expansion. Being located on the boundary of the Entertainment District and the Harbourfront neighbourhoods, the new stadium was originally known as 'SkyDome'.
The stadium was not initially owned by the club, but by the government. The SkyDome was built by the provincial government of Ontario and it was not until 2004 that the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team would acquire the stadium. The design for the sports complex was conceived in the mid-1980s and was a revolutionary concept at the time.
Driven by the government's vision for a multi-purpose entertainment complex, the public supported the project through their taxes. The costs were high, but the benefits of having a state-of-the-art facility were seen as worth the investment. There was even a 'name the stadium' contest, where members of the public were invited to suggest names for the new complex.
Construction officially began on 3 October 1986. Less than three years later, and at a cost of $570 million, on 3 June 1989, a 50,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural event - a concert by Canadian musician Rod Stewart.
It was in 2005 that the stadium was renamed Rogers Centre, after its new owners, Rogers Communications. As the first stadium with a fully retractable roof, the Rogers Centre remains a marvel of modern engineering. It has a seating capacity of 49,282 for baseball, and it can accommodate up to 55,000 spectators for concerts and other events.
Today, the Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays and is also the venue for many other large-scale events such as concerts, trade fairs and shows. It also boasts a hotel with 70 rooms overlooking the field, adding to its unique charm and appeal. This world-class facility continues to be a significant part of Toronto's vibrant entertainment scene.
'Rogers Centre (1989)' (in English). Rogers Communications. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017: A comprehensive historical account of the Rogers Centre, with information about its construction, architectural features, and its significance as a multi-purpose entertainment complex. https://www.rogers.com/consumer/home
'Rogers Centre (The Dome) – until 2005'. StadiumDB.com: Detailed information about the Rogers Centre, including its history, architectural design, and major events hosted at the venue. http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/can/rogers_centre
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