Rogers Centre

Lore & Background

The idea of building a domed stadium can be traced back to the bid that Toronto lost to Montreal as the Canadian candidate city for the 1976 Summer Olympics. The contemporary impetus came following the 1982 Grey Cup game at Exhibition Stadium, played in a driving rainstorm, leading to chants of 'We want a dome!' at a rally. In June 1983, Premier Bill Davis announced a committee to study feasibility. The stadium was designed by architect Rod Robbie and structural engineer Michael Allen, built by EllisDon and Dominion Bridge, and constructed from October 1986 to May 1989 at a cost of C$570 million. The stadium was funded by a public–private partnership, with contributions from governments, breweries, the Blue Jays, and 26 other corporations. It is noted for being the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof, as well as for the 348-room hotel attached to it with 70 rooms overlooking the field. It is the last North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both football and baseball.

In Their Own Story

The air inside is cool and still, a stark contrast to the biting wind howling outside the glass walls. It's late October, and the roof is closed tight against the Canadian chill. The crowd hums with anticipation as the batter steps in, the only sound being the rhythmic tap of cleats on artificial turf. Suddenly, the stadium erupts—a collective gasp turns into a roar that bounces off the high ceiling. A home run soars toward the left-field corner, and for a moment, time suspends.

Reader's Guide

The stadium was renamed 'Rogers Centre' following the 2005 purchase by Rogers Communications. Despite the name change, it is still commonly referred to as SkyDome in informal contexts. The roof consists of four panels, one fixed and three moved by electrically driven 'train' engines on high-strength railway rails, taking 20 minutes to open. The SkyWalk is an enclosed walkway connecting to Union Station. The John Street cable-stayed bridge provides north–south passage over rail tracks. The stadium served as the site of both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 Pan American Games (renamed the Pan-Am Dome or Pan-Am Ceremonies Venue due to sponsorship regulations).

Did You Know?

• The stadium was originally named SkyDome and opened in 1989.
• It was the first stadium in the world to have a fully retractable motorized roof.
• The stadium has a 348-room hotel with 70 rooms overlooking the field.
• The Buffalo Bills played an annual game at the stadium from 2008 to 2013 as part of the Bills Toronto Series.
• The stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 Pan American Games.