Skydome opened on June 3, 1989 as the home to the Toronto
Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts. It became famous as being
the world’s first multi-purpose stadium with a retractable
roof. The 11,000-ton roof spans 674 feet across, stands 31
stories high, and covers more than eight acres. It takes 20
minutes to open the roof, which shelters 91% of the seats.
The Jumbo Tron is one of the largest video display boards in
the world, taking up a space of three stories high by nine
stories wide. The Dome encompasses three venues in one for
both entertainment and sporting events.
The SkyTent Arena has a seating capacity of 10,000 to
30,000. It encloses one section of the Dome with an
acoustical system to support this venue. Previous events
have included concerts, Walt Disney on Ice, The Harlem
Globetrotters, and The Garden Brothers Circus. Domed Skydome
is an all-season venue with a seating capacity of more than
60,000. Two World Series games have been played in the Dome,
as well as the Billy Graham Crusade, the highest attending
event, filling 256,000 seats. The open-air stadium hosts
events from May to late October.
Skydome Hotel is located inside Skydome. Tourists can
book rooms with views of the stadium field and watch their
favourite sporting events in the comforts of their own room.
Or, tourists can dine in any of the four restaurants of the
Skydome that offer tables with a field view.
Tours of Skydome operate daily. The tour begins with a
15-minute film about the construction of thecomplex,
followed by a 45-minute "behind the scenes" guided
tour, which includes a visit to the media center, a private
SkyBox, dressing room, and a stroll onto the field. The cost
for this tour is $9.50 per person.
Located in downtown Toronto, 1 Blue Jays Way, Skydome is
west of Union Station, at the corner of Front and Peter
Street. For information on current events, call
416-341-3663.