RCA Dome
The Hoosier Dome (later the RCA Dome when naming rights were sold) was a domed stadium in Indianapolis. It was the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons (1984–2007).
Former names
Hoosier Dome (1983–1994)
100 South Capitol Avenue
Capital Improvement Board
Capital Improvement Board
104
60,127 (1984–1991)
60,129 (1992–1995)
60,272 (1996–1997)
60,567 (1998)
56,127 (1999–2002)
55,506 (2003–2005)
55,531 (2006–2008)
WrestleMania VIII: 62,167 (April 5, 1992)
May 27, 1982
August 5, 1984
February 26, 2008
December 20, 2008
HNTB
Browning Day Pollack Mullins Inc.
M&E Engineering Service, Inc.[2]
It was completed at a cost of $77.5 million, as part of the Indiana Convention Center, with the costs split between private and public money. The largest crowd to attend an event at the Dome was 62,167 for WrestleMania VIII in 1992. It was demolished on December 20, 2008, as part of a project to expand the attached convention center.
Description[edit]
The Birdair-designed dome was made up of teflon-coated fiberglass and weighed 257 short tons (229 long tons; 233 t), which was held up by the air pressure inside the building. The ceiling was 193 feet (59 m) high, though the height varied up to 5 feet (1.5 m) as the materials expanded and contracted with the weather.
Like other domes of this style (the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, BC Place, the JMA Wireless Dome, and the Pontiac Silverdome) there were warning signs posted cautioning patrons of the high winds at the doors when exiting the facility.
Events[edit]
Football[edit]
Although the RCA Dome never hosted any Super Bowls, it played host to the 2006 AFC Championship Game, which saw the Colts erase a 21–3 deficit for a come-from-behind 38–34 win over the New England Patriots in what would ultimately be the only AFC Championship Game hosted at the RCA Dome.
The RCA Dome also hosted three AFC Divisional Round games in 1999, 2005, and 2007, with the Colts posting an 0–3 record in those games; the 2005 game, which saw the heavily-favored Colts lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18 in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history (en route to the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XL), is best remembered for Colts cornerback Nick Harper recovering a Jerome Bettis fumble only for Mike Vanderjagt to miss the game-tying field goal at the end of the game. The RCA Dome also hosted three AFC wild card games in 2003, 2004, and 2006, with the Colts winning all three games. The Colts' 28–24 loss to the San Diego Chargers in the 2007 Divisional Round proved to be the stadium's final game before the Colts moved on to Lucas Oil Stadium the following season.
Basketball[edit]
In addition to football, the RCA Dome hosted several basketball games. The first was an exhibition game in 1984 between an NBA All-Star team led by home-state hero Larry Bird and the United States Olympic Men's Basketball team, coached by Bob Knight, who was at the time the coach of Indiana University. The Dome hosted the 1985 NBA All-Star Game in February, where an NBA-record crowd of 43,146 saw the Western Conference beat the host Eastern Conference 140–129.[14] The Indiana High School Athletic Association's 1990 boys and girls basketball finals were held at the stadium; 41,046 attended the boys semifinals and finals, setting the record for the largest crowd at a high school basketball game.[15] Later, it hosted many NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games, including four Final Fours (1991, 1997, 2000, 2006). The NCAA, whose headquarters are in Indianapolis, has committed to holding the Final Four in the city once every five years. The RCA Dome hosted its only Women's Final Four in 2005. It served as one of two sites for the FIBA Men's Basketball World Championship in 2002, sharing the honors with Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers.
Other sports[edit]
During the 1987 Pan American Games, the RCA Dome hosted the Gymnastics and Handball competitions as well as the closing ceremonies.[16]
In 1991, the Dome hosted the 1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. In 1992, the Dome hosted WrestleMania VIII for the World Wrestling Federation.
Monster Jam hosted events at the venue every year as part of its first quarter season. The last event was held in 2008 a few months before the venue was demolished.
In addition, it hosted the NCAA Men's Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships from 1989 to 1999, and the 1990 General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventists. Additionally, the RCA Dome served as the site of the Indiana State School Music Association State Marching Band Competition, the Bands of America Grand Nationals, and the Drum Corps International Midwestern Regional, along with the NFL Scouting Combine in February of each year. The 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Wrestling Trials were held in the Dome. It also hosted a PBR Built Ford Tough Series bull riding event in 2004.